Gee oh Dee

I was literally 1/2 a block away from my job this morning when I was slowing down for a stop light. It was snowing, and this particular stretch of road is a down hill portion, the slope stopping right at the light. As I was slowing down I noticed the driver in front of me start to move out of his lane, but not to change lanes. He was sliding down the hill, his ABS wasn't letting the wheels stop.

I had to laugh, the rubber on my light XJ isn't great, I'd consider it crappy to be honest. I had no issue getting my rig stopped, yet a newer car, with what appeared to be decent rubber, was having real trouble stopping.

In the end he couldn't get the car stopped in time, and he was not driving poorly. He barely tapped the vehicle in front of him, which was a large F250, but he connected nonetheless.

The driver of the F250 must've been nice, because I never saw any cops show up, and after a few short seconds to inspect his truck, I saw him drive off. to him for not being a tool when there was no real damage.

I have to think, though, that the car's ABS had something to do with the accident. Many cars both in front of us, behind us, and next to us were stopping without problem, although it was obvious that some ABS motors were working as later I saw a few cars slide halfway through the intersection even though the light was red.

Heh, we only got 1-2" of snow as well, so its not like there was tons on the ground.

This makes me glad my XJ has no ABS!

00jeepXJ

glad to hear that no one was hurt and all went well.... mine has ABS... I think... it operates when it wants to.... generally when it isn't needed.

OttawaXJ

ABS systems give people the idea that they can just hammer it and let the ABS do the work. I have a 2010 Focus and my ABS works pretty well but I use my brakes as if I dont have ABS and I stop WAY faster than letting the ABS just do the job.

The traction control system goes from really intelligent to What the hell is this stupid *** thing doing. so I tend to turn it off when driving.

JeepingDan

I hate ABS
couple days ago I was driving a ford freestar in the snow and I ended up going right past the road I wanted to turn in.
I said to myself if I was in my jeep that would not have happen lol

I guess I'm really used to non ABS brakes..

Gee oh Dee

Same thing-ish happened to me in the ladies TJ. Skated right past the road I wanted to turn on, and it was barely slick.

I think her bald *** tires had something to do with that, but I still feel the lengthy rebellion by the brake pedal was mostly at fault.

Acesnines

Snow driving is easy. Double the stopping distance and take at least 10 MPH off the speed. Now that I've gotten used to the Jeep in terms of getting used to a new vehicle, it's not hard in the least....

xjdirtbath

My wife has a honda odessy I cannot stand the "traction controll" system it has. When u are trying to accellerate and the front tires slip it cuts power and taps the abs. This is really annoying when trying to drive up my steep 100ft drive way. This system is so uselless in the snow that is has now become automatic for me to shut it off before every drive. I due have to say it works great on wet rainy roads. But not snow and ice.

Bustedback

The real purpose of ABS is to allow steering control in a panic stop, not really to shorten a stopping distance.

mrfajita

If there is snow, a "panic" any action while driving will result in something/someone getting smashed up.
My brother's Blazer's ABS came on, on a dry road, causing him to be unable to stop at a red light until the ABS turned off in the middle of the intersection.
Not sure about new systems, but after dealing with two 90s ABS vehicles (that Blazer and my XJ) I really hate ABS.

Texas XJeeper

thumbs up to him..

1989cherokee

Mine too. It will even kick on on dry pavement. Is there a way to shut the ABS off? Can I just pull the fuse or something?

Gee oh Dee

I actually don't decrease my speed. Once all the traffic is out of my way, I enjoy a bit of high speed fun.

I love being able to drift through corners without chewing up my rubber.

00jeepXJ

I wish I knew... mine will go so far as to suddenly kick on when I put my foot on the brake pedal to turn just the lights on as I downshift... that can get fun!


who doesn't love that?

Gee oh Dee

All the morons who are white knuckle on their steering wheel the moment a single snowflake becomes visable.

I love the look on people's faces when I deliberately power slide through a corner, or when I blast passed them because I know how to drive.

I don't suggest everyone try, but once you've had time to practice safely, its a blast.

Acesnines

Heh, before I got my new tires I was doing that all the time. I don't want to say that its a PROBLEM that I can't do that now, but yeah, it was fun re-enacting some great "World's Scariest Police Chases"