JeepGirl,
An ABS car doesn't 'know' that two wheels are on slick surface and two wheels are on a dry surface. What the ABS
does know (via sensors built into the hub assembly) is that one or more wheels are not rotating as fast as the remaining wheels and adjusts the braking pressure to that individual wheel (or wheels) to keep it from locking up. BTW - The same sensors are also used on some cars for traction control and some controllers actually apply brake pressure to a spinning wheel to regain traction. Some high end cars (BMW's & Caddy's come to mind) also use the ABS controller to provide 'stability' control in that they have additional sensors that are able to measure the 'yaw' of a car to determine if it is sliding/skidding in a corner and can apply the brakes to a specific set of wheels to regain control. This feature is also one of the first that get's turned off or deactivated when these cars are raced (such as in SCCA's T2 class) since this feature makes the car slower.
And yes, it is difficult to unlearn old habits. The best way to learn is to go into an abandoned parking lot after a snow storm and just get used to hitting the brakes as hard as possible and let them do the work.
Biggest problem I have is when I switch from my daily driver (non-ABS) to my wifes car (with ABS). I have to unlearn my brake control technique. And hopefully I don't get too used to it when I switch back to my car (Oh Cr@p!!! This is the car without ABS!!!)
But then, I also find my left foot reaching for the clutch pedal when I drive her car and after 2 or 3 blind stabs I remember that her car has an automatic
As far as liking or disliking ABS, I would have to honestly say that I prefer it.
SHOCKING! HERESY! How can a racecar driver admit he prefers ABS to a non-ABS car?
Simple. When I'm racing, I'm 100% completely focused on what my car is doing, and once you are driving at the limit of the car's ability, you are constantly focused at that level. And the surface condition of the track is pretty consistant from lap to lap (unless it's raining or somebody dumps a motor on the track).
But when I'm driving on the street, in my daily commute, in an unexpected emergency situation, I would suspect you are more likely to encounter a condition in which the available grip on two sides of the car are not the same, such as swearving to avoid something and having two wheels on a gravel shoulder and two wheels on pavement...or on a rainy road and having two wheels on a worn, oily surface and two wheels on a rough surface so that the available traction on one side is reduced. In a non-ABS car, all you can do is reduce the braking to all of the wheels to keep the the side with reduced grip from locking. But an ABS will continue to apply maximum braking force to the side that still has more traction.
Fact - The ABS car will stop quicker!
This is a more realistic 'real world' scenario.
That said, as I posted above, the biggest problem is switching from an ABS car to a non-ABS car and making a mental note so I don't forget.
It's the same problem I have when I switch from my normal FWD racecar and drive a RWD racecar. It really sucks when you forget what you are driving and you try to correct for a slide, and then you remember you're not driving that car you're driving the other one......
Edited by Greg Gauper, 02 December 2005 - 11:49 AM.