Brakes work!

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Old smart

I was not in a braking-plus-steering circumstance, and what ABS is supposed to aid. This was straight-on, and beyond what ABS could do. My guess is that the rear wheels/brakes were contributing very little. I really needed more front grip.

Someone explain this. ABS, Anti-lock Braking System, "is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a motor vehicle from locking while braking".
That is whether you're attempting to steer, or not. Insufficient rubber on the road, or slick tires, or gravel or sand, should cause the ABS to activate earlier ... but still prevent lockup. Correct, or no?

[John_H]

That's my interpretation, NCC1701.

[jetfuel]

...you got it NCC...see page 72 of the OM..good stuff there including the use of snow tires..


jetfuel

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by John_H

That's my interpretation, NCC1701.

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...you got it NCC...

Then Old Smart's ABS malfunctioned apparently.

[Godfather]

Look at how big the front brakes are. Look at how skinny the front tires are. Think about weight transfer in a panic stop. That rear engine may not weigh all that much, but when it's trying to go 60 while the front is trying to stop, it's like a pendulum. Old smarts ABS didn't malfunction. It got overwhelmed by weight and skinny tires.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by Godfather

Look at how big the front brakes are. Look at how skinny the front tires are. Think about weight transfer in a panic stop. That rear engine may not weigh all that much, but when it's trying to go 60 while the front is trying to stop, it's like a pendulum. Old smarts ABS didn't malfunction. It got overwhelmed by weight and skinny tires.

That's what it sounds like to me... I've heard of ABS doing the same thing on other cars when the front tires are too skinny,small, bald, over/underinflated, too cold, or hit an ice patch. ABS is calculated like the seat belt tensioner... beyond a certain point, ABS may not be "enough." Maybe his wheels were still allowed to rotate some, and it felt like a full skid but in fact the ABS was reducing the skid by 50%? I know mine chirped for a half second, indicating ABS allowed a skid for at least a few inches.

I don't know the math involved - does anyone know the contact patch size between the front and rear?

[jwight]

All of these systems, ABS, traction control, ESC, etc. cannot overcome the laws of physics. At some point, if the car's speed or lateral Gs are high enough, they will exceed those systems' abilities to control the car. Many current Vette owners have learned this the hard way.