(Instructor's Standpoint) Re: Is anyone on this list an engineer for B..

[AudiBiTurbo at aol.com]

Ultimately, ABS is a wonderful thing, except on a purely loose surface (quite
rare in actual daily driving, even in the North).  ABS allows the car to
brake, and some limited turning ability for increased car control.  When in
doubt, stay on the ABS.
Now, on a purely loose surface, for maximum braking to a stop, a locked tire
will act like a plow, and stop in a shorter distance than one still rolling.
Again, there is more directional control with the tire rolling, however.
You'll find that tires can't truly do 2 things well simultaneosly, such as
brake and turn.  Read any driving book (Skip Barber's book is a good driving
school primer) and you'll see a "friction circle."  Bottom line is that the
car will turn and recover, if it's a slight turn, while under ABS.  If you
need to accomplish a quick and very aggressive maneuver, you need to lift off
of the brakes, turn, straighten, then reapply brakes.  This will shift the
weight of the car properly, and maximize the quickness of the turning.  A car
under ABS will turn, but it will be MUCH quicker to turn while you've
released brake pressure and transferred weight back to the rear (also, this
helps prevent oversteer).
ESP helps as well, but again, you'll find this all is faster for an
EXPERIENCED driver when all the right inputs are accomplished on your own.
Either way, leave ESP, ABS, and traction control on.
Also, I like to teach "threshold ABS."  Do some measured tests.  Especially
on loose surfaces threshold ABS can often shave some stopping distance.  Try
it with your tires, brakes, and suspension.  It might suprise some folks.

In a nutshell, the electronics we have today are sent from the heavens.  For
most drivers, they save us from incorrect inputs and making things more
difficult.  For an experienced driver who attends driving schools, yes, there
is a better way.  That better way must be rote, and ingrained.  For the
general public, they'll be safer staying on the ABS and turning as best they
can.

Mark Rosenkrantz (NEQ insturctor, and you WILL have fun at a driving
school!!)
AudiBiTurbo at aol.com