KA - ABS?

[tigger1]

Have a 55 plate poverty-spec Ka. When I start it the ABS light comes on / goes off, with no fuss.

Now, on the odd occasion that I've stood on the middle pedal there has definitely been some locking up. Is this normal?
I was actually under the impression that it didn't have ABS - can only see the lights on the dash if I duck down to see under the stupidly positioned steering wheel!! (can't see half the speedo either...)

[DJ_AS]

When you brake very hard, does the brake pedal 'pulse' at all? I've only ever engaged ABS twice (not on a Ka, mine didn't have it) but I definitely felt it via the pedal.

[DennisTheMenace]

It will have abs as standard , was made mandatory by the muppets in brussels in 2005

[DJ_AS]

DennisTheMenace said:

It will have abs as standard , was made mandatory by the muppets in brussels in 2005

Actually I think the 'muppets in brussels' were correct to insist on ABS in cars. One of their (few) more inspired moments...

[motorwise]

DJ_AS said:

DennisTheMenace said:

It will have abs as standard , was made mandatory by the muppets in brussels in 2005

Actually I think the 'muppets in brussels' were correct to insist on ABS in cars. One of their (few) more inspired moments...

me too

[tigger1]

DennisTheMenace said:

It will have abs as standard , was made mandatory by the muppets in brussels in 2005

On all cars? Blimey.

No, I've definitely locked the wheels, but don't know if the pedal did eventually pulee.

Personally I don't really like ABS, I don't think it stops cars faster (slower in fact) and yes, although it allows me to steer, my primary concern when nailing the brakes is generally to scrub speed.

[motorwise]

tigger1 said:

DennisTheMenace said:

It will have abs as standard , was made mandatory by the muppets in brussels in 2005

On all cars? Blimey.

No, I've definitely locked the wheels, but don't know if the pedal did eventually pulee.

Personally I don't really like ABS, I don't think it stops cars faster (slower in fact) and yes, although it allows me to steer, my primary concern when nailing the brakes is generally to scrub speed.

thats what it's for - to allow you to steer while braking hard

[tigger1]

Yes, but it can cause problems, espescially a cack system on a greasy road.

Anyway, whilst "playing" this morning, I decided to check, and yes..the pedal pulses. Definitely feels like the car could slow down quicker without it though...but I could be wrong.

[DJ_AS]

tigger, I'm afraid that the Ka's brakes are quite rubbish anyway. Its not the ABS's fault.

I'd have loved to have ABS in my Ka, had a couple of scary lock ups on only slightly damp roads. Better to have it than be without.

If it really bothers you I don't know if its worth considering improved brake pads or discs to increase braking performance. I don't really know how much difference it would make though.

[tigger1]

Although they're not as sharp as 4 discs on the megane, the Ka stops fairly well - as it weighs less than I do, but yes, I think of any "performance mods" I would consider, sticking some better brakes in would be money well spent.

[speedychrissie]

my ka doesnt have ABS (it is a 53 poverty spec), but i never really thought it needed it. i have done 23k miles quite a lot of which have been on rallies on muddy roads and i havent ever thought "i wish this had ABS"

even on nasty roads when being shocked by a corner you didnt know existed it is still normally quite easly to pump the brakes enough to stop in a very short distance.