Is anyone on this list an engineer for Bosch/automotive brake systems...

[Robert Deis]

On Fri, 8 Feb 2002, Dave Glubrecht wrote:
>
> Not my understanding,
>  ABS provides better braking under almost all conditions AND allows for the
> driver to steer while panic braking.  ABS pumps the brakes faster than
> humanly possible which keeps the tires at the max possible braking ability.

True, except for highly skilled drivers.

Maximum brake performance actually comes when "threshold braking," which
is a point where the tire is actually rotating slower than the vehicle is
travelling, but traction has not yet been broken.  Trained drivers know
how to feel this point and can use it to get maximum brake force.

However, for the rest of us, it's far more likely that we'll under do it
and get less brake than we could, or overdo it and skid.  ABS keeps us as
close as possible to the threshold automaticly.

As a bonus, since the wheel is never locked, we get improved steering
under braking.  But don't get cocky- I nearly slid into a mailbox at 5mph
in my 5kTQw last week. The ABS was buzzing just like it should, but the
steering just didn't work- too slick.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Rob Deis                  "Let the people know beforehand what the law
  MiB3347                      is and what they are to expect."
  rdeis at io.com                              -- 18th Congress, Rec. 75