ABS in snow - help

[missfixit70]

Looks like we all agree then

[The Great Pretender]

Looks like we all agree then

Do we........................lol.........................that makes a change...............

[Mattsonics]

Ok - the update!

Tried again this morning on a gritted road - no problems at all with a varying degrees of brake pressure, including some subtle normally functioning abs action, with no noise at all!

Having learned a lot more than I previously knew about ABS in the past 24 hours - i now think the noise is probably a motor that drives the pump to re pressurize the brake cylinder after ABS has kicked in (does this make sense to others more familiar with Bongo engineering) Unusual/alarming sound when your not used to hearing it!

Considering that the ABS made driving in snow unsafe, from the point of view that whilst driving down a snow covered slope, the continuous use of the abs can't be doing the system any good, and therefore may cause the system to fail (am i being hysterical?!)

i am probably going to see if it is possible to disconnect the abs (without affecting anything else) temporarily in case i find myself in this situation again - i don't think it is individually fused - but haven't looked yet.

just found out that farmers do this with abs'd 4x4s - i have never had abs on landrovers, and a terrano, that i have owned, so never came across the issue.

Matt

[alans00ty5]

the purpass of abs is to remain in control of your car on breaking it still allows you to steer it away from any dangers if there is room.

[dave_aber]

Quite a few cars with ABS have a switch to allow you to disable it wnen in snow. Primary reason for this is that in snow there is (in some conditions) so little traction that the ABS is activated pretty much constantly whilst braking, and you end up with really long stopping distances. In fact in deep snow as opposed to the "1-2 inches on top of ice we seem to get here" which everyone thinks is really snowy, you can pull up quite quickly with a locked wheel, due to the fact that a ramp of snow builds up on the front of the wheel. In places like Northern Norway, this is well practiced in the winter. ABS off, drive slowly, lock the wheels to stop. All the Audis I have had have the ability to switch off the ABS (and where equipped, ESP as well), I believe this is common on Saabs and Volvos too.


BTW, I get the same 'pump running' noise braking in my 97 AFT in the snow. definitely the ABS just working harder than yo are used to hearing.

[Mattsonics]

Thanks Dave - some helpful advice.

In reference to post above (Alan?) - there is no doubt that the ABS made driving far less safe yesterday.

The hills I was going up and down are pretty steep - the ABS brakes, as opposed to the handbrake, did absolutely nothing! I couldn't stop and would have slid through several walls had i relied on the brake pedal/abs whilst driving as slowly as I possibly could. To note bongo was in first gear, and hold, whist descending - engine braking clearly also helped a great deal.

What's also worth mentioning is that I didn't choose to drive on these roads yesterday, I was caught short on the road between Kendal and Tebay, if anyone knows it - road was clear as I left Tebay, just before Grayrigg the road had compacted snow to about an inch. It snowed incredibly heavily in ten minutes. I was very lucky to get up the steep hill (17% incline at its worst spot). Might put my crampons in the bongo to get some traction when pushing!

Pretty hair raising really - for a second I wished I had a landrover again - but I came to my senses as I drove into Kendal!

Matt

[dandywarhol]

Remember the ABS system cuts out around 5 mph - otherwise the car would never stop

[alans00ty5]

the golden rule any brakeing in bad ice or snow is a no no, just drive carefully pals and good luck all,

[mikeonb4c]

Like you Matt, I can highly recommend 'L' auto setting in those conditions, using 'HOLD' as a brake rather than the brakes themselves (be careful peeps as 1st+HOLD really is low gearing so only use it when already going slowly, or wheels will skid anyway). Basically, using the Autobox fully, including HOLD, and combining that with plenty of anticipation, is about as good as it is likely to get (short of studded tyres or snowchains) in poor conditions.

That hill situation sounded scary

[brorabongo]

Having a manual gear box helps with slowing down safely in snow .......smug git!!!

[B*Witched Blingo]

Just found out mine work. Ady tested it out as an old chap came belting/sliding down a side street within inchs of the Blingo in the snow. They missed each other thank goodness

[mikexgough]

Like you Matt, I can highly recommend 'L' auto setting in those conditions, using 'HOLD' as a brake rather than the brakes themselves (be careful peeps as 1st+HOLD really is low gearing so only use it when already going slowly, or wheels will skid anyway). Basically, using the Autobox fully, including HOLD, and combining that with plenty of anticipation, is about as good as it is likely to get (short of studded tyres or snowchains) in poor conditions.)

That Says it all Mike....... there was a Drive Alive chap (former Traffic Cop) on Look East tonight...... giving winter and especially snow and ice driving tips...... He talked the audience through How to drive to the conditions and the films showed how Not to drive in the snow..... good tips....but how many will heed the advice?