ABS. How often do you use it?
Discussion
As the title - I have only ever once had the ABS cut in and that was early this week.
B3306 single track road on way to St Ives, very windy road, lots of rain, mud and cow s
it on the road. Bloke in an audi coming the other way pulls out onto my side of the road, I do not have a clue why but he suddenly swerved out and I had to stamp very hard on the brakes - I was in the porsche.
The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
B3306 single track road on way to St Ives, very windy road, lots of rain, mud and cow s
it on the road. Bloke in an audi coming the other way pulls out onto my side of the road, I do not have a clue why but he suddenly swerved out and I had to stamp very hard on the brakes - I was in the porsche.The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
cornishgirl said:
As the title -
................................................................... (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).............................................
Sorry, what's this thread about again???................................................................... (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).............................................
And to answer the question I've used it non intentionally twice. Once when a lorry pulled out in front of me for no apparent reason on a dual carrageway and the other time when I chickened out of a questionable overtake...
I Practice hard stops and emergency stops from time to time when I get bored so it's interesting to see how far I can push it before the ABS kicks in.
cornishgirl said:
As the title - I have only ever once had the ABS cut in and that was early this week.
B3306 single track road on way to St Ives, very windy road, lots of rain, mud and cow sit on the road. Bloke in an audi coming the other way pulls out onto my side of the road, I do not have a clue why but he suddenly swerved out and I had to stamp very hard on the brakes - I was in the porsche.
The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
In answer to your question, it should be last resort ...B3306 single track road on way to St Ives, very windy road, lots of rain, mud and cow s
it on the road. Bloke in an audi coming the other way pulls out onto my side of the road, I do not have a clue why but he suddenly swerved out and I had to stamp very hard on the brakes - I was in the porsche.The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
Technically, if you stay on the brakes, and hold it, just before the ABS would activate, then you would stop quicker. However, I suspect not many people can do this, so yes, generally ABS is going to be your quickest way to stop (less you are on snow). It's main purpose is to allow you to steer, whilst staying on the brakes.
Martin
cornishgirl said:
The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
That's what it's for - sudden developments. I don't think anyone drives planning to use it?That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
PS - Hope your chest is better.
Vaux said:
cornishgirl said:
The ABS worked and I stopped very fast, it stopped so hard got a bit of a burn on me chest from the seatbelt (luckily i had the strap between me boobs).
That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
That's what it's for - sudden developments. I don't think anyone drives planning to use it?That's the only time I ever felt ABS work and I'm sure I couldn't have braked as hard without skidding.
So, do PH'ers use ABS a lot or is it something only as a last resort.
PS - Hope your chest is better.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
p1esk said:
Indeed. I'm amazed that the ranks of the PH membership haven't produced a long list of volunteers all eager to nip down there to carry out an inspection and verify that all is well with the lady. Worry not though; I'm available tomorrow if that's any help.
I was hoping for maybe a picture........... I have the other problem when getting into a ABS car, with my old M3 I could quite happily just balance it before the ABS cut in, but now I'm used to a non-servo'd elise, whenever I get a courtesy car (i.e. lots, it's a new ford fiesta) I go to brake and the hazards come on and the ABS goes mental under my 'normal' breaking force. Hehe. 
fastcaterham said:
Never has a car thats had it built in, now the abs thats built into my foot thats a different matter. Seriously now been in a few cars with it and felt it and its ok 99 percent of the time, sounds like it worked perfect for you though!
'...abs that's built into my foot...' I wish I could apply & release the brakes 7 times per second, I'm impressed. '..been in a few cars with it & felt it...' just wondering how much emergency braking you find yourself doing?
'...it's ok 99 percent of the time,' just out of curiosity, what happened on the other 1 percent?
Vaux said:
p1esk said:
Indeed. I'm amazed that the ranks of the PH membership haven't produced a long list of volunteers all eager to nip down there to carry out an inspection and verify that all is well with the lady. Worry not though; I'm available tomorrow if that's any help.
I was hoping for maybe a picture...........
7mike said:
fastcaterham said:
Never has a car thats had it built in, now the abs thats built into my foot thats a different matter. Seriously now been in a few cars with it and felt it and its ok 99 percent of the time, sounds like it worked perfect for you though!
'...abs that's built into my foot...' I wish I could apply & release the brakes 7 times per second, I'm impressed. '..been in a few cars with it & felt it...' just wondering how much emergency braking you find yourself doing?
'...it's ok 99 percent of the time,' just out of curiosity, what happened on the other 1 percent?
2) Touch wood don't find myself doing too much emergency braking but felt it plenty of times in cars being driven by others a bit too enthusiastically.
3) the other 1 percent of the time was exceptions like snow and gravel.
fastcaterham said:
7mike said:
fastcaterham said:
Never has a car thats had it built in, now the abs thats built into my foot thats a different matter. Seriously now been in a few cars with it and felt it and its ok 99 percent of the time, sounds like it worked perfect for you though!
'...abs that's built into my foot...' I wish I could apply & release the brakes 7 times per second, I'm impressed. '..been in a few cars with it & felt it...' just wondering how much emergency braking you find yourself doing?
'...it's ok 99 percent of the time,' just out of curiosity, what happened on the other 1 percent?
2) Touch wood don't find myself doing too much emergency braking but felt it plenty of times in cars being driven by others a bit too enthusiastically.
3) the other 1 percent of the time was exceptions like snow and gravel.
In my opinion well calibrated (ie set up by the manufacturer) ABS on a performance oriented car will outperform anyone other than the most highly skilled driver most of the time given correct useage in optimum conditions.
Of course we no doubt have some budding Aryton Senna wannabes here who are the best thing since sliced bread. I'd like to get them in controlled conditions and prove them incorrect.
Of course we no doubt have some budding Aryton Senna wannabes here who are the best thing since sliced bread. I'd like to get them in controlled conditions and prove them incorrect.
205lad said:
1. In my opinion well calibrated (ie set up by the manufacturer) ABS on a performance oriented car will outperform anyone other than the most highly skilled driver most of the time given correct useage in optimum conditions.
2. Of course we no doubt have some budding Aryton Senna wannabes here who are the best thing since sliced bread. I'd like to get them in controlled conditions and prove them incorrect.
1. Couldn't aggree more.2. Of course we no doubt have some budding Aryton Senna wannabes here who are the best thing since sliced bread. I'd like to get them in controlled conditions and prove them incorrect.
2. Can't quite figure out who this dig is aimed at.
I am 100% sure that in my e46m3, when 'on the brakes' if I went too far and the ABS kicked in it would take *noticably* longer to slow down.
I had a few *oh Sheeat* moments on the anchors into a tight bend where the abs came in unexpectedly and I carried more corner speed than I planned - it definitely added a fair few meters to the stopping distance.
Of course if I tried to turn the wheel under that level of braking, with ABS the car would still turn, rather than plough straight on, but I do my braking in a straight line where possible. ABS is more consistent than threshold braking, but in my experience, in the right conditions, non-ABS braking can haul speed down faster. Of course other systems may have different implimentations, but I am certain that ABS>no ABS is not true in all cases at least, case in point e46m3.
FWIW I'm a ABS fan, I Think when it's needed it's invaluable. I hope I'll never miss it in the elise!
I had a few *oh Sheeat* moments on the anchors into a tight bend where the abs came in unexpectedly and I carried more corner speed than I planned - it definitely added a fair few meters to the stopping distance.
Of course if I tried to turn the wheel under that level of braking, with ABS the car would still turn, rather than plough straight on, but I do my braking in a straight line where possible. ABS is more consistent than threshold braking, but in my experience, in the right conditions, non-ABS braking can haul speed down faster. Of course other systems may have different implimentations, but I am certain that ABS>no ABS is not true in all cases at least, case in point e46m3.
FWIW I'm a ABS fan, I Think when it's needed it's invaluable. I hope I'll never miss it in the elise!
7mike, no worries! I was a bit vague hence the confusion.
I'd agree though especially with how good modern abs systems are it would be pretty much impossible for a human to perform better. Somebody will turn up and prove otherwise now probably. Just done a quick google and the main reasons i've come across for people choosing not to run abs or turn it off are generally racing related and due to it a) being complex and liable to fail and b) some people found the system didn't work correctly in spins and didn't allow them to get on the brakes. Equally though found information saying how modern systems are so reliable a) isn't really a worry and b) they can sense spins so to speak and the system reacts accordingly.
Only reason I can really think of where your better off without it are snow and gravel as i've already mentioned though I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that some modern WRC cars have an abs system that can work effectivly on gravel albeit in a slightly different way. Not totally sure though.
I'd agree though especially with how good modern abs systems are it would be pretty much impossible for a human to perform better. Somebody will turn up and prove otherwise now probably. Just done a quick google and the main reasons i've come across for people choosing not to run abs or turn it off are generally racing related and due to it a) being complex and liable to fail and b) some people found the system didn't work correctly in spins and didn't allow them to get on the brakes. Equally though found information saying how modern systems are so reliable a) isn't really a worry and b) they can sense spins so to speak and the system reacts accordingly.
Only reason I can really think of where your better off without it are snow and gravel as i've already mentioned though I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that some modern WRC cars have an abs system that can work effectivly on gravel albeit in a slightly different way. Not totally sure though.
I'm not sure I understand this thread. Surely ABS is intended as a tool to be used in emergency situations only?
Regarding ABS vs non-ABS, it isn't that difficult to stop quicker without it than with it if:
However, the last time I tried this was on an empty country lane in a BMW 1 series - 2 stops from 50mph going each way with and without ABS. Without ABS the braking distance was a few feet shorter. I'd still take ABS on a car though for the above reasons.
Regarding ABS vs non-ABS, it isn't that difficult to stop quicker without it than with it if:
- the coefficient of friction under each wheel is similar (i.e. no wet leaves at the edge of the road but not in the centre).
- all the braking is done in a straight line.
- The weight distribution of the car is reasonably even and its on a road without heavy camber.
- The brake bias is set up properly
However, the last time I tried this was on an empty country lane in a BMW 1 series - 2 stops from 50mph going each way with and without ABS. Without ABS the braking distance was a few feet shorter. I'd still take ABS on a car though for the above reasons.
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