Sounds like your ABS wasn't working properly. I had an experience in
upstate New York with my 91 Mistubishi (with ABS). I was traveling about 50
MPH on slush (combination of ice, water, dirt, etc. for your southerners)
when I had to panic stop to avoid the car on my left who just decided to
come into my lane. With a curb on my right, I had no where to go and still
avoid damage. The car came to a very nice, straight, quick stop without
hitting anyone/anything. (I did have the pulsing, but no lock-up) Would not
have been possible without ABS! Unfortunately, I've had 1 or 2 other
occasions to use the ABS with other cars, but luckily with the same great
results. I'm sold on the technology and would not even consider a car
without it!
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of
Bud Krueger
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 7:01 PM
To: MG List
Subject: ABS experience
It's been interesting to read the theory of ABS, but let me share an
experience
with you.
A little over a year ago (9/98) I was on my regular morning commute on
Boston's
Southeast Expressway, driving a 1996 Mercury Mystique with ABS. The car
ahead
of the car ahead of me slowed rather abruptly; the car ahead of me stopped
very
abruptly; I stomped on the binders and drove right into his back bumper.
Believe me, I had left adequate space between us. I've commuted close to a
megamile and this was the first accident that I've been in.
The ABS would not allow the brakes to come anywhere near locking up. The
pedal
was against the stop and the car just wasn't stopping. There was no pulsing
going on at all. Remember, the action of ABS is to relieve braking pressure
when the system senses that the brakes are about to lock up. Guess what
happens
if the sensors react too quickly? $2000 worth of damage that barely showed,
much
of it due to the a/c components right behind the bumper.
If you have an ABS system --- check it out sometime before you need to stop
in a
hurry! Just MHO.
Bud
--
Bud Krueger
http://home.ici.net/~bkrueger/
52TD
77MGB
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