Is the Clio ABS rubbish??
Discussion
I have posted this on the technical section but thought I might get some views from fellow Clio owners, albeit this isn't excactly a hot hatch. In my defence, it is the 1.4 16v wich kicks out a whopping 98bhp!!
So:
Since having moved over to Greece I have encountered some excellent driving roads but there is a mojor problem with the road surface and lack of grip (the Greek Drivers are also a problem but best saved for another topic!). It appears that that they crush marble into the stuff resulting in shiny and very slippery surfaces.
In some ways this fun. The prospect of me downgrading from a BMW 330i to a 1.4 Clio almost had me in tears, but with the lack of grip here, even the mighty 98bhp at my disposal can seem too much as it is so easily be wasted through wheelspin. Also I haven't had this much overteer action, even when I had a RWD car!!
However, there are some serious safety issues(!) with this sort of tarmac, particulary with stopping distances. Now as far as I know, ABS is supposed to reduce stopping distances and help keep you in control of the car, in particular allowing you to steer the car even when you have applied maximum pressure on the pedal. On these roads the ABS triggers very easily (alot tlike when you drive on ice) and de-acceleration seems to stop for a moment before slowing again.
My question is: Is ABS doing more harm than good on these sorts of roads??
Or is the ABS system on a basic car like my 2002 Clio just plain shite??
So:
Since having moved over to Greece I have encountered some excellent driving roads but there is a mojor problem with the road surface and lack of grip (the Greek Drivers are also a problem but best saved for another topic!). It appears that that they crush marble into the stuff resulting in shiny and very slippery surfaces.
In some ways this fun. The prospect of me downgrading from a BMW 330i to a 1.4 Clio almost had me in tears, but with the lack of grip here, even the mighty 98bhp at my disposal can seem too much as it is so easily be wasted through wheelspin. Also I haven't had this much overteer action, even when I had a RWD car!!
However, there are some serious safety issues(!) with this sort of tarmac, particulary with stopping distances. Now as far as I know, ABS is supposed to reduce stopping distances and help keep you in control of the car, in particular allowing you to steer the car even when you have applied maximum pressure on the pedal. On these roads the ABS triggers very easily (alot tlike when you drive on ice) and de-acceleration seems to stop for a moment before slowing again.
My question is: Is ABS doing more harm than good on these sorts of roads??
Or is the ABS system on a basic car like my 2002 Clio just plain shite??
Dino D said:
Or is the ABS system on a basic car like my 2002 Clio just plain shite??
round my neck of the woods there are certain braking points on some roads where I've never had a problem but in my 172 the ABS activates if I'm pushing on
the first few times it happened I thought there was a problem with the car's brakes but it seems it's not a terribly good braking system
keep it in mind, stay well within the limits and you should be OK
I cant speak for the current clios, but I owned one of the first 172s and the antilock brakes were absolutly terrifying. It almost feels as though youve hit the accelerator when they cut in or that the discs as in bits. Had lots of lift of oversteer fun in this car and you will find yourself driving like a maniac everywhere wether you want to or not with the biggest grin ever. But watch the brakes i honestly thought i was dead they first time the cut in. Lock them up on a nice straight wide road before driving in anger.
Not a Clio but used to have an Aygo with ABS and EBD. Spent most of my time driving around speed bump infested london. Found often with that car that if you slowed quickly while going over a speed bump (or those kind of half bump square things you can sometimes straddle) it would feel like the brakeing force was reduced and the breaks were failing. Gave me one or two hair raising moments! Actually took it to a dealer and went out with him and showed him what it was doing. He recognised it but said it was the EBD redirecting breaking force away from the wheel with less grip (ie: the one going over the speed bump). Still was a very odd sensation.
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