Anti-lock brakes. good or bad?

Paul S

ABS is a great technology... especially when reading back some of the answers here and realizing how little most people understand how brakes work. In theory, ABS will cost a very small amount of efficency in braking. In the real world however, there are probably only a couple drivers alive that might be able to out brake an ABS system.

As for learning to use ABS, it is just a matter of pushing your foot down and sticking with it. Without ABS, pumping is not the best method; backing off the brake until the wheels regain traction, and then again applying a steady increase in pressure (since the more you brake, the more weight shifts foreward to provide more ability to brake, and the more you slow down, the more pressure you can apply as well).

Ice is the one case where pumping is probably the best approach, since you will not likely be able to regain traction in any real sense and pumping will at least allow for some effectiveness. This can also hold true with ABS as ice can be slick enough to fool ABS sensors!

chocoholic

I love mine but you have to be taught how to use them. The regular brakes are supposed to be pumped, i.e. tapped, but the abs require steady pressure to make them work safely.

Paul

GOOD, GOOD, GOOD. If it's good for airplanes, it's good for cars.

Fordman

Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

Misha

Good for beginners. Does not matter for me. I drive cars with and without and don't care - aside from changing braking technique accordingly...

saxman357

In slippery conditions, ABS will increase your stopping distance but will allow you to maintain control of your vehicle. They are better to have IMO, as long as you allow for the extra stopping distance in snowy conditions.

done wrenching

They're great for novice drivers, and they do indeed stop you straighter, not necessarily shorter. Like said, don't pump pedal on abs vehicles.

Heinz M

Same thing, different name. Both good.

thefatguythatpaysthebills

Usually better - particularly on later model cars - but depends on if it is a newer car & preferably Bosch or not.

You cant go wrong with antilock systems made in the last 5 or so years - and you cant go wrong with Bosch antiskid systems pretty much in any year they were made. However, some of the earlier GM, Ford & Chrysler used a suppier Kelsey Hayes which were awful.. Some of the trucks only use antiskid on just the rear wheels - like Chrysler - which is poor archiac engineering.

paul j

abs is great

Doug S

ABS are better on like ice and stuff so they don't lock....But all in all....It doesn't truely matter, it's more of a preference thing

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