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Martian · 03-08-2006, 06:38 PM

When I personally drive a car, I prefer not to have ABS for the simple reason that on the road it's not really all that useful. The car companies have done an excellent job of convincing the public in general that lock-ups are universally bad, yet it remains the fastest way to stop a moving vehicle - if you lock the wheels, you will stop in a shorter distance. The issue is that when you lock the wheels you lose control; as long as that pedal is on the firewall you're going in a straight line and that's all there is to it. People then get into trouble from not knowing what the proper braking maneuver is for a given situation. They're unable to differentiate between a situation where they have to stop right now and a situation where they'd do better to keep the wheels spinning to allow avoidance. That or they lock the wheels unintentionally.

You ask a Formula One driver to take his land rocket around the track without ABS, he'll call you psychotic. There are dozens of NASCAR accidents every season that could be prevented through the use of ABS. On the road, it's really not as necessary.

Having said that, there are situations where it is beneficial. The majority of drivers have neither the time nor the inclination to learn proper braking techniques and prefer to have the computer do the braking for them. While an argument could be made that these people have no business being on the road, ABS is still saving lives in the meantime. As far as I'm concerned it's great, just not for me.

ABS isn't the same as synchro meshes or electric starters because these things don't really affect the overall performance of the car. If my car doesn't have synchros there's no benefit or added control afforded me - it just means I get annoyed at having to double clutch. Brake servos are the same way. Removing the booster doesn't allow me any benefit; it makes my job easier without taking away any control.

03-08-2006, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	When I personally drive a car, I prefer not to have ABS for the simple reason that on the road it's not really all that useful. The car companies have done an excellent job of convincing the public in general that lock-ups are universally bad, yet it remains the fastest way to stop a moving vehicle - if you lock the wheels, you will stop in a shorter distance. The issue is that when you lock the wheels you lose control; as long as that pedal is on the firewall you're going in a straight line and that's all there is to it. People then get into trouble from not knowing what the proper braking maneuver is for a given situation. They're unable to differentiate between a situation where they have to stop right now and a situation where they'd do better to keep the wheels spinning to allow avoidance. That or they lock the wheels unintentionally. You ask a Formula One driver to take his land rocket around the track without ABS, he'll call you psychotic. There are dozens of NASCAR accidents every season that could be prevented through the use of ABS. On the road, it's really not as necessary. Having said that, there are situations where it is beneficial. The majority of drivers have neither the time nor the inclination to learn proper braking techniques and prefer to have the computer do the braking for them. While an argument could be made that these people have no business being on the road, ABS is still saving lives in the meantime. As far as I'm concerned it's great, just not for me. ABS isn't the same as synchro meshes or electric starters because these things don't really affect the overall performance of the car. If my car doesn't have synchros there's no benefit or added control afforded me - it just means I get annoyed at having to double clutch. Brake servos are the same way. Removing the booster doesn't allow me any benefit; it makes my job easier without taking away any control. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame