Life Without ABS

[Cory Wolfe]

Yes, I'm bored again. Sorry. Life without ABS. As you may know, the ABS on my Grand Am GT doesn't work. I haven't had any problems for the past few months that I've been driving it. That is until the past week or so... but first I'm going to tell you about a related issue. My front tires. Back around the middle of summer, I had my rear tires replaced. The rear were worthless with holes, leaks, and very little thread. The front, however, were still in great condition. Over half of its thread left. They gripped better than the new ones put on the rears. So, my dad left them alone and on the front. Ofcourse, as some may know, the roads around my house suck. They're rough, eneven, cracked, tore up, multi layered, and are only 1.5 lanes wide with a terrible birm. They ate the front tires on my Parent's Blazer in less than 8 months... Since the right side one had to deal with the birm, it was worn down on the edges and to the wires. How have they been on my GA's tires? Good in comparision, but they're been worn down. They'll need to be replaced before the winter, that's for sure, though. Why, you ask? Well, anyone in the Northeast will tell you that the weather has been absolutely crappy. Rain, rain, rain, snow, and more rain! Ugh! Combine this with my front tires and you have a recipe for... not a disaster, but close to it. I've been noticing that my front tires are sliding quite a bit. One turn I went around that had water running across it, the tires had zero traction. Luckily the water was in the middle of the turn and I was already turning. Its done this on more turns, as well. Usually not anything serious, but I can feel the disconnection. Ofcourse, however, I probably drive a bit too fast for wet roads. Anyways, due to all of that above, I've had some intersting experiences with the brakes. As I said, no ABS. Well, I was coming down a steep hill. There's a stoplight right at the bottom. The roads are wet. I'm going the speed limit (35). Being that its steep, you have to get on the brakes hard regardless of your speed. I try hitting them early as to not get on them so hard, but I still end up having to. I'm toying with the limit, trying to get on them as hard as I can, but as lightly as I can. The car isn't stopping quickly enough. I lightly push harder and harder until my front wheels lock. Ooops... that didn't work. I finally slide to a stop. Just where I have move my head foward to see the light... a car length over the stopping line. Damn hill. What was the point of this thread? I don't really know... I'm just bored. Hope you enjoyed it. :lol: :D :P

[Satty]

I pulled into the parking lot at work the other day just as my assistant manager (she has a thing for me, another story) was leaving on a delivery, so I slammed on my brakes, skidded into my parking spot and left some nice marks on the pavement.

[capriceman]

Wet roads and fast speed is called HYDROPLANING or what ever. no way to avoid it. only way is to drive slow. If it happens let off the gas and DONT HIT THE BRAKES try to straighten the car out first then pump lightly. I love rain tho its so fun to just around the corner give the car gas and it spins the rear out....o yeah you have front wheel drive. :P Have you ever heard of poor mans ABS. Stomp on them let them go stomp on them again. Or pump them high pressure low pressure high pressure. Emergency, lock them unlock then lock them up again then unlock, repeat it. It works especialy in snow. Test the technique in black top parking lot. Tire wear, you think your roads are bad down there, HA HA try Michigan's city roads then even there up north roads. Also alot were i go up north they down grate the dirt roads or she makes it completly flat, no crown at all. Tires go so fast for me, burnouts and stuff dont help, every year i go through a pair around fall i get new tires.

[daves87rs]

Tire wear, you think your roads are bad down there, HA HA try Michigan's city roads then even there up north roads. Also alot were i go up north they down grate the dirt roads or she makes it completly flat, no crown at all. Tires go so fast for me, burnouts and stuff dont help, every year i go through a pair around fall i get new tires.

[post="34187"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Quoted for truth (at least the Michigan roads part)

I have a car with ABS and a car without...and for the most part, it just depends
on how and where you drive...

I do pretty good with both... ^_^

[capriceman]

And if you dont trust my tactics I went through a Competieve/Defensive driving skills class at the State Police academy its fun especially the water slick. Too bad the class got Canned do to "buget cuts" why? I paid $150 for it.

[mute]

well i for one loooove abs i recently experienced a 95 olds cutlass supreme without abs and recently experienced a guardrail on 66 i didnt know it didnt have antilock until i tried slowed down on a ramp cuz i was about to turn more sharply and it i slowed down but then i turned the whell but it didnt turn at all so i hit the brakes and the abs didnt turn on i was now going prolly 40 about 30 ft from a guardrail straight on so i started pumping the muthafarkin brakes faster than i though possible and i got it down below 25 and started turning honestly cuz the airbags didnt go off, i scraped the side of it all down the drivers dented in the front quarter panel and broke the turn signal but that was the only damage i drove it home still on 66 no problems but let me tell you it was scary when it didnt turn and even more scary when it didnt have abs still though it was totaled even if it was still driveable and functioning but i think that i prolly saved the car, me and my gf so im pretty releived

[Cory Wolfe]

I see my thread resulting from boredom wasn't ignored. Yay!!!!!!! :lol: Mr roads are seriously bad. There is no "if you think they're bad, try such and such". They suck. There is no questioning it. They are poorly maintained. Just ask any Pennsylvanian, PennDOT sucks. The roads suck. Because of that, my car sucks. :P Mute... All, I have to say is glad you're okay and thank god for gaurdrails. :D

[mute]

I see my thread resulting from boredom wasn't ignored. Yay!!!!!!! :lol:

Mr roads are seriously bad. There is no "if you think they're bad, try such and such". They suck. There is no questioning it. They are poorly maintained. Just ask any Pennsylvanian, PennDOT sucks. The roads suck. Because of that, my car sucks. :P

Mute... All, I have to say is glad you're okay and thank god for gaurdrails. :D

[post="34301"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

well to tell the truth if it werent there i would have just turned really wide and gotten some grass and went on my way...thank god for controlled substances called speed or i wouldnt have wrecked lol

[Cory Wolfe]

Oh... well, the gaurdrails around here keep you from falling 20+ ft usually... :D Speed... :lol:

[daves87rs]

I see my thread resulting from boredom wasn't ignored. Yay!!!!!!! :lol:

Mr roads are seriously bad. There is no "if you think they're bad, try such and such". They suck. There is no questioning it. They are poorly maintained. Just ask any Pennsylvanian, PennDOT sucks. The roads suck. Because of that, my car sucks. :P

Mute... All, I have to say is glad you're okay and thank god for gaurdrails. :D

[post="34301"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

No vipe, you don't understand. Our roads Really suck. We don't even have
road crews, just ask MDOT. :blink: Do your drivers actually fall in "sinkholes"
in your roads? Guy in front of you just disappear? It does here. :blink:

Where is Josh? he could back me on this...since he drives the eastside... :)


I agree with Vipe, Mute,we are glad you are ok....

[Satty]

I've driven MI roads, not pleasant. Back to what the thread ia about, I've been driving the last year without ABS, I did a little sliding during a blizzard last year, but that wasn't realling a brake issue, and I've had a couple of lockups in the rain, but overall, I think I like not having ABS.

[daves87rs]

I've driven MI roads, not pleasant.

Back to what the thread ia about, I've been driving the last year without ABS, I did a little sliding during a blizzard last year, but that wasn't realling a brake issue, and I've had a couple of lockups in the rain, but overall, I think I like not having ABS.

[post="34382"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I'm glad someone else agrees...


Though snow has never been an issue with me...I've been able to drive with
both with out issue...though ice does really, really suck.
I remember sliding though intersections in my first car (w/o ABS)...

[Cory Wolfe]

Oh... I wasn't saying your roads weren't bad or anything, just that that can't be that much more worse than mine. They royally suck. And to answer your question... Well, yes, but worse. Ever have entire sections of roadway just collapse all of a sudden? Yeah, this is also where that 20+ feet come into play. Or how about falling through a bridge? Or be run off the road into a 2ft deep birm? These are mostly location related. That's the problem with PA back-country roads... They suck. Nothing can really be done about it without running into the same problems unless you completely relocate and rebuild every damn road.

[daves87rs]

Sorry Vipe..I should have put a :P somewhere...I hope I didn't come off like I was yelling at you or something.. Back roads? Yes, I agree. They do suck. I've been on those. I think it would be fair th say that both of our roads suck bad. :) What do you think?

[2005 EquinoxLS]

Wisconsin roads arent any better. ABS is one of those things where I can deal without it but it is nice to have. One time it did help out though on a case where one side was dry the other was kind of icy. ABS can differentiate so you dont spin in that situation.

[rearden82]

PA roads are legendary for being bad. Last time I was there (about a year ago), there were billboards all over the Turnpike touting the virtues of this amazing new substance they're starting to use called.....asphalt. I'm dead serious. Until recently the roads were primarily giant slabs of concrete. The seams made them annoying as hell even in good sections, which were rare--most are a cracked, frost-heaved, broken up mess. My mom has a '98 Kia Sephia. It has ABS in the sense that they just aren't strong enough to lock the wheels in the first place. I'll never forget tromping on them to avoid a deer. I had both feet on the pedal pressing with all my might, and its little 14" tires weren't even chirping! What a death trap.

[ocnblu]

ABS doesn't help on ice, I found that out first hand in my ION. Abs are cool, however.

[Cremazie]

Wisconsin roads arent any better. ABS is one of those things where I can deal without it but it is nice to have. One time it did help out though on a case where one side was dry the other was kind of icy. ABS can differentiate so you dont spin in that situation.

[post="34398"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

In wet/slippery weather I drive like I have an egg between the pedals and my foot, abs or not. In fact sometimes I prefer to not have it because I feel like I have less control over the car. Either way roads suck in 90% of North America these days. :angry:

[Cory Wolfe]

Until recently the roads were primarily giant slabs of concrete. The seams made them annoying as hell even in good sections, which were rare--most are a cracked, frost-heaved, broken up mess.

Sections of I80 are still like that around Brookville.....

[NOS2006]

No vipe, you don't understand. Our roads Really suck. We don't even have
road crews, just ask MDOT. :blink: Do your drivers actually fall in "sinkholes"
in your roads? Guy in front of you just disappear? It does here. :blink:

Where is Josh? he could back me on this...since he drives the eastside... :)
I agree with Vipe, Mute,we are glad you are ok....

[post="34379"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I'll back you up since Josh isn't chiming in.

MI roads are probably the worst ones in the entire US.

[ToniCipriani]

ABS actually saved me once and avoided an accident. Where I lived last term, there's a small section which is extremely steep, and at that one time, very icy. I was going really slow, but still I almost skidded right into the middle of the major road. I'll never go into another car without (read: functional) ABS.

[daves87rs]

ABS actually saved me once and avoided an accident. Where I lived last term, there's a small section which is extremely steep, and at that one time, very icy. I was going really slow, but still I almost skidded right into the middle of the major road.

I'll never go into another car without (read: functional) ABS.

[post="34534"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

That sounds like something that happed to a friend of mine...

[mute]

yah well i can say right now that every state has its lemons as far as roadways go but ive driven MI, WI, VA, SC, NC, NY, PA, OH, MD, IL and everything in between that i left out and i can honestly say that the worst are PA in some places especially around brookville cuz ive driven it too, but its not the majority and you cant generalize an entire state cuz of it....... but in PA i have been driving and all of a sudden there will be road barriers that all of a sudden make my lane go into the other one on back roads and ill drive by and my real lane will be down a couple of feet and thanks guys but really the only reason that everything is cool is cuz my love of cars led me to learn how to control them passionately......see a healthy car fetish right? lol

[capriceman]

I :wub: MDOT (Michigan) Because they start random projects all over the ENTIRE STATE for no reason. They will close 3 out of 4 lane freeways at 5:00PM and have no one working on it. Once they started painting at 3:00 pm, cant they do that at night. We have horrible roads because we go with the cheapest contractors and they put some cheap blacktop on that will fall apart evey year. Like 23 and 696. 696 was built in the 80ish i think its been redone 8 times i think every 3-4 years. Its like MDOT just buys Orange Barrels and sets them up so we think there doing somthing. They have to start 50 projects at once and spend little time on each. someone back me up. It sounds like only PA has back road issues, every state has that but, Michigan has 95% of its roads tore up IMO. I have to stop myself now or ill just continue. ABS in ice works, just that at 50 mph in a empty pickup, not so good. Mute did pumping in your opinion help? I think it works alot for me and my family/freinds that won't check the box for ABS, becuase i think for my truck they wanted like $750. I like Canada's Roads on the alaskan hiway it was really nice I was suprised. Although some parts up near B. C. in the mountains were strange. As they just turned in to Dirt/gravel for no reason at all. or the escort runs were you were your following a pickup with lights on it, on a one lane wide dirt ridge that has about a 200 ft drop either side. Its so dusty that the car 50 ft in front of you, cant see it. if someone drove off the side you would most likely follow them off the ridge. On this one curve there was a side rail that was bent down and had skid marks in front of it. There was a 400 ft drop off right there in to a river. I wonder if a semi went over it or somthing. That was near that Liard Hot Springs park I think, A beautiful Park though. So if any Canadians read this keep up your fine roads and you prolly have the nicest parks i have ever been to. i mean they actually have garbage cans and fairly clean facilitys. ( If i get laid off again this winter i will go look for a job in the orange barrel factory :lol: )

[mute]

ABS basically pumps it faster than humans can to keep the wheels from locking...........yeah its more to it than that but still well i dont know if it helped but im pretty sure 50 ft 45-25 you cant make while your hydroplaning......it brakes and keeps your tires from permenantly locking up, therefore keeping some amount of control, enough to turn the car at least 45 degrees it may just be in my imagination but i dooo know that the car had no ABS and that i pumped cuz i remember that from cornering 101 in my friends audi on the track it keeps control and lets ya keep the wheels from locking but then again your trying to keep speed on the track but think its similair enough...the wheels lock up and ya lose speed im just thankful that everyones okay and the car is fine....... Edited October 27, 2005 by mute

[capriceman]

Yeah I know how ABS works. At least no one was injured tho. Im MAD that our tax dollars need to fix the guard rail!!!!! :P I like to pump my brakes always if I have little space. Also you can control the fronts wheels since there not locked up, which is helpful in cornering. I wish i could drive a performace car on a track!

[daves87rs]

I  :wub: MDOT (Michigan) Because they start random projects all over the ENTIRE STATE for no reason. They will close 3 out of 4 lane freeways at 5:00PM and have no one working on it. Once they started painting at 3:00 pm, cant they do that at night. We have horrible roads because we go with the cheapest contractors and they put some cheap blacktop on that will fall apart evey year. Like 23 and 696. 696 was built in the 80ish i think its been redone 8 times i think every 3-4 years. Its like MDOT just buys Orange Barrels and sets them up so we think there doing somthing. They have to start 50 projects at once and spend little time on each. someone back me up. It sounds like only PA has back road issues, every state has that but, Michigan has 95% of its roads tore up IMO. I have to stop myself now or ill just continue.

ABS in ice works, just that at 50 mph in a empty pickup, not so good.

Mute did pumping in your opinion help? I think it works alot for me and my family/freinds that won't check the box for ABS, becuase i think for my truck they wanted like $750.

I like Canada's Roads on the alaskan hiway it was really nice I was suprised. Although some parts up near B. C. in the mountains were strange. As they just turned in to Dirt/gravel for no reason at all. or the escort runs were you were your following a pickup with lights on it, on a one lane wide dirt ridge that has about a 200 ft drop either side. Its so dusty that the car 50 ft in front of you, cant see it. if someone drove off the side you would most likely follow them off the ridge. On this one curve there was a side rail that was bent down and had skid marks in front of it. There was a 400 ft drop off right there in to a river. I wonder if a semi went over it or somthing. That was near that Liard Hot Springs park I think, A beautiful Park though. So if any Canadians read this keep up your fine roads and you prolly have the nicest parks i have ever been to. i mean they actually have garbage cans and fairly clean facilitys.

( If i get laid off again this winter i will go look for a job in the orange barrel factory  :lol: )

[post="34737"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Oh you had to remind me about 696... :angry: :lol:

I think I should start a collection of orange barrels...I could put them around
our home here... :lol:

[Sixty8panther]

No ABS, no big deal... malfunctioning ABS: BIG DEAL. My buddy Alex has his S10 Blazer 2rd lock up the ABS in the on "setting" in otherwords the brakes cut out completely. He was about to rear end a small car and panicked... he did the right thing though, sent the car inot the woods and then BAM right against a stone wall and medium sized tree. The airbags went off wiht such force that the CD player poped out of the dashboard. His face got burned by the airbag and he was a bit stiff but otherwise the truck took the hit without any intrusion to the cabin. Another reason why I don't think Blazers are total deathtraps. The truck was totaled though. That's when he bought the Exporer off yours Trully at Bill DeLuca Chevy and imediately regreted it. He wanted a decent Blazer to replace it with but we didn't have even one on the lot that he liked or could afford. That black Ford Explorer ended up being such a POS. He still ribs ne for selling him hat truck. He was all you're a Chevy guy, I'm a Chevy guy... why do you think I should buy a freekin Explorer? My argument was that it was in very good shpe and cheap as hell. Of course a few months after he bought it the Firestone debacle happened and the truck dropped in value by like $5000.

[Satty]

I've never had the same ABS situation for two consecutive winters (when it supposedly comes in handy), is that weird? Winter 2000--1987 Dodge Dakota-no ABS Winter 2001--1996 Buick Century-ABS Winter 2002-2001 Saturn L200-no ABS Winter 2003-1997 Chrysler Sebring-ABS Winter 2004-2001 Saturn L200-no ABS Winter 2005-2001 Toyota Solara-ABS Hopefully 2006 and beyond will be filled with many ABS-free miles in my Fusion, I hate switching cars.

[bobo]

Speaking of ABS, that is my 12-year old Prelude's first mechanical problem. The dealer says $2500 for the repair (replacing the ABS accumlulator and modulator), so I'm not getting it fixed. I've never been in a situation yet where I've needed ABS. It's turned on a few times in aggressive driving taking corners fast.

[pow]

ABS has saved me more than a few times from hidden stop signs. And nothing's scarier than locking the front wheels while braking to a full stop during a downhill corner, a la in my non-ABS Volvo. Edited August 27, 2006 by empowah

[Cory Wolfe]

Hmm... If my Millenia has ABS, i don't think it works very well... either that or it makes it brake slower. I've had some experiences on a steep downhill where I'm braking hard... it's slowing down, and suddenly it feels like I stepped off the brakes a bit. This is on dry pavement. I don't like that very much. :P

[regfootball]

ABS has saved the aztek about 3 times already form damage.