On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 11:05:32 +0100, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
wrote (more or less):

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 10:42:13 +0100, "Grant Mason"
wrote in message :

Er, actually ABS doesn't really affect stopping distances.

Yes it does.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/vrtc/ca...99-01-1287.pdf
"For most stopping maneuvers, made on most test surfaces, ABS-assisted panic
stops were found to be shorter than those made with best effort or full
pedal applications with the ABS disabled"

Because people don't know how to brake. But the statement was overly
simplistic, of course.

ABS does not increase the power of the brakes, and does not increase
the coefficient of friction. All it does is make it less likely that
the driver will lock the wheels.

With abs, if one wheel is about to lock, the other three wheels can
remain braking.

To avoid one wheel locking up with non-abs brakes, all four wheels
have to stop braking.



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Euan
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On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 19:32:55 +0100, Gawnsoft
wrote in message
:

With abs, if one wheel is about to lock, the other three wheels can
remain braking.
To avoid one wheel locking up with non-abs brakes, all four wheels
have to stop braking.

Indeed. But that's only relevant in specific conditions. I've
already said it: ABS does not increase the braking performance of the
car. It does compensate in some degree for poor technique, but even
then you can fool it. Relying on ABS to "help you stop quicker" is
stupid, and allowing people to think that's what it does is Not Smart.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
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