On Jun 2, 1999 "Justin Hughes" wrote:
> himself - and stopped even quicker! The capabilities of ABS are limited.
> It's perfectly adequate for the average driver, and a big help on a slippery
> road. But it doesn't push traction as close to the edge as it could, and
> performance drivers like us want it at or slightly over the edge at times.
> Some cars may still benefit from it, and others like my friend's Jetta may
> not - YMMV. I'd say do as he did - try it both ways, and use what works for
> your car and your driving style.
All ABS systems are not created equal. I know that the system Chevy
puts in the Corvette is a lot better than the one they put in the
Cavalier, for example.
A good ABS system will perform almost (to within a couple feet) of a
good driver threshold braking in a straight line in the dry. A good
ABS system will outperform a good driver in other situations.
Threshold braking is, at best, a 1-channel ABS system (you've only got
one pedal and one foot pushing it), whereas a 4-channel ABS system can
modulate each of the four brakes individually, to take advantage of
extra traction that's only available on some wheels.
I had ABS on my old Probe, and I really wish I had it on my current
Miata.
--Ian
'99 Miata LP
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