How do you know if you have ABS?

[Squackdiddy]

because im looking at parts and they are saying like abs only and stuff like that.

 

[CowPimp]

Get on a road with no cars. Take the car to about 40MPH. Slam on the brakes as hard as you can. If you slide and the tires squeal constantly the whole them, then you don't have ABS. If you can feel the peddle pulsing and there is little to no squealing, then you have ABS. Do this only if the road is completely straight. Also, do it at your own risk. It's not necessarily the safest way to test, but if you know what you're doing, then it isn't unsafe either.

 

[blk91tsiawd]

look right next to your upper IC pipe, see if theres a unit with lil metal hoses coming off, I think it says abs somewheres on it...

 

[Squackdiddy]

which one do you guys think is better?

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by Squackdiddy
because im looking at parts and they are saying like abs only and stuff like that.

Well, if your signature is true, you definately don't have it. Or a car

Otherwise, most ABS-equipped cars have an ABS warning light on the dash which lights up for a second with all the other warning lights at startup.

Or you can always do a hard panic stop in an empty, wet parking lot. The brake pedal will pulse if you have ABS.

 

[Blam]

just lift your shurt up a bit and if you see a 6 pack rather then a pot belly then I am sure you have abs...

 

[BUCK]

It's all that plumbing crap on the passenger side of Engine Bay - You don't need ABS on an AWD IMO. This is FASTSPOOLINGST'S NEW GSX PROJECT btw...

 

[doug]

Can't you also check the underhood fuse box to see if there's a fuse in the ABS location?

 

[JoeWagon]

Originally posted by BUCK
You don't need ABS on an AWD IMO.

Are you aware that AWD doesn't increase braking power?

 

[Auladan]

Are you aware that AWD doesn't increase braking power?

Pfft. Drop it in reverse and you got four wheels stopping you instead of two.

Noob.

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Originally posted by Auladan
Pfft. Drop it in reverse and you got four wheels stopping you instead of two.

Noob.

So your gonna throw your car into reverse while driving down the road? How many trannies do you go through a day?

 

[Auladan]

...

You took me seriously?

 

[force inducted]

i did an i broke my car thanks alot

 

[xcelr8n]

actually guys, i tried this reverse while coming out of 4th gear once.
it was in a 100 dollar mazda mx-6.
it wouldnt get in there, i even slammed it as hard as i possibly could, all i heard was this weird grinding noise, and i could feel the shifter hitting something. .
what a fun car

 

[CowPimp]

Originally posted by JoeWagon
Are you aware that AWD doesn't increase braking power?

I would think it does increase breaking power, actually. As long as you don't push in the clutch or throw the car in neutral while you're slowing down you still have more traction because power is still being applied to the wheels. If you don't have ABS, then the wheels just lock up and you don't gain extra traction from AWD. The effect would be enhanced by proper downshifting.

Another reason I think it might help is because of the additional resistance put up by the drivetrain. This additional resistance should make it easier to slow down. Either way, my AWD DSM stops on a dime with upgraded pads and rotors.

This is all speculation, so I hope someone can come in here and support me or flame me, whichever is necessary.

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by CowPimp
As long as you don't push in the clutch or throw the car in neutral while you're slowing down you still have more traction because power is still being applied to the wheels.

Hmmm, that's an interesting question... obviously, the AWD distributes acceleration to all four wheels when needed, but is the reverse true? That is, is there resistance at the rear wheels when coasting in gear - or do they freewheel?

 

[bzzzt]

i think you guys are confused, AWD doesnt brake better...... it BREAKS better

 

[xcelr8n]

^^^ muwhahahahahaah.

 

[CowPimp]

Originally posted by Siberian
Hmmm, that's an interesting question... obviously, the AWD distributes acceleration to all four wheels when needed, but is the reverse true? That is, is there resistance at the rear wheels when coasting in gear - or do they freewheel?

Our cars have a full time 50/50 split. The split is only changed when one axle begins to lose traction in comparison to the other axle. Most likely more power is sent to the front wheels while slowing down since negative acceleration causes weight transfer to the front.

 

[blMuskrat]

50/50? you sure? I could have sworn it was 60/40....

 

[Siberian]

I thought you AWD kids had a viscous coupling... meaning you're basically FWD until you get wheel spin, which then splits the torque up to a max of 60/40...?

 

[blk91tsiawd]

No we're 50/50 all the time.....so many people think its 60/40 and visversa(sp?)...its 50/50.....

 

[CowPimp]

Check out this thread if you don't believe that it's a 50/50 split. A good ways into the thread Defiant makes a post including a picture from a Jeep/Eagle quick facts book that proves it uses a 50/50 split.

Now, can anyone confirm or deny my theory of AWD improving braking capabilities via improved traction while braking in gear and the additional resistance of the more complex AWD drivetrain?

 

[Defiant]

Hm. Quite the question. ABS actually _reduces_ "braking power", because virtually all braking systems have much more power than the contact patch can transfer to the brakes. And, under most conditions, once the tire starts to slide, its coefficient of friction is hugely reduced. Under most conditions, a skilled driver -and of course, all of us here are, because we're so remarkable match-o -can brake in shorter distance without ABS than with.
However, we don't always have things that much under control. And sometimes the roadway isn't that controllable. A patch of slick under one wheel for three feet, and it's going to lock up and slide. So that corner suddenly goes loose while the other three are braking like hell, and the chassis will rotate. You might be good enough, and conditions ahead may give you the chance to re-brake. With ABS, the car will do it. When a wheel stops turning, the ABS fluctuates the braking much faster than any of us could dream to.
And when was the last time that you were reduced to a panic stop anyway?

 

[CowPimp]

Originally posted by Defiant
And when was the last time that you were reduced to a panic stop anyway?

I am reduced to a panic stop more often than you think. I don't tailgate either. I keep good following distances and scan the road ahead. The traffic is just so ridiculous and there are a lot of aggressive drivers. There are a lot of accidents and near-accidents in this area.

Oh yeah, and the question was meant to see whether AWD helped braking distances.