Was this the ABS?

[LizzyG]

I was driving to work this morning and someone pulled out in front of me, meaning I had to slam the brakes on hard. When I did, I felt the brake pedal kind of judder, was this the ABS kicking in? Cos if not I'm worried there is something wrong. Brakes were fine afterwards and have been ever since.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Sounds like it to me...

I had a panic too the first time this happened to me I remember thinking "oh god, whats happened"

[mister.t]

Yep - Thats the ABS alrite. Not had it kick in in the Mini yet, but the Jeep does it when going round the field when its very mucky.

[Paul]

Sounds like it to me.

[gtt19]

I'll offer a fourth "yup" if necessary.

Ooops. Looks like I already did. Darn caffeine!

[Harpo]

For anybody who has yet to experience ABS in action, find an open straight stretch of road - make sure there is no other vehicle within half a mile - and stand on the brake pedal.

And remember how it feels.

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

For anybody who has yet to experience ABS in action, find an open straight stretch of road - make sure there is no other vehicle within half a mile - and stand on the brake pedal.

And remember how it feels.

Too right, Harpo! Everyone should know how it feels - and also try to steer when the ABS is working .....

[Root Ginger]

Yes I would advise anyone who hasn't experienced ABS yet to test it. If you don't then you may panic if used in an emergency and let go of the brake, potentially leading to disastrous consequences.

[gpmick]

Good advice Harpo

[Root Ginger]

I actually spent some time with my fiancee in icy conditions in her non ABS car going through cadence braking on a private estate.

It took her a while to press the brake pedal hard enough to lock the wheels. It's amazing that a lot of people think the wheels will lock a lot easier than they do and potentially don't apply the brakes hard enough in emergencies.

Once she got the hang of it she really enjoyed it.

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

For anybody who has yet to experience ABS in action, find an open straight stretch of road - make sure there is no other vehicle within half a mile - and stand on the brake pedal.

And remember how it feels.

As you plunge helplessly through a hedge into a field

Seriously though, its a good idea to check your tyre pressures and to make sure the road surface is dry and free of any marbles or debris first. And make sure you are holding the steering wheel tight as it may kick a bit.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

As you plunge helplessly through a hedge into a field

Seriously though, its a good idea to check your tyre pressures and to make sure the road surface is dry and free of any marbles or debris first. And make sure you are holding the steering wheel tight as it may kick a bit.

Yes it's a good idea to try it out at about 20mph rather than 80mph in the outside lane of the M25

[jamesbeaumont]

I find if I drive my cooper quite fast around bumpy roads the ABS seems to try and butt in all the time under hard braking. The front end can be quite jittery, possible due to sports suspension/funflats? Although the garage set the tyre pressure to 2.5 bar (36 psi) which seems quite high? Anyone else had this?

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by jamesbeaumont (original)

I find if I drive my cooper quite fast around bumpy roads the ABS seems to try and butt in all the time under hard braking. The front end can be quite jittery, possible due to sports suspension/funflats? Although the garage set the tyre pressure to 2.5 bar (36 psi) which seems quite high? Anyone else had this?

Change the pressures to the correct ones as this isn't going to help grip.

I think most people who own the 1st Gen MINI found the ABS a little too easy to set off. In the end I've learnt to read the road and back off enough over bumps or drain covers to prevent setting it off. Makes for much smoother progress. At the end of the day if you're setting it off it's because the wheel is going to lock even if momentarily.

Personally I would prefer if it allowed a little lock before the ABS kicks in. As it is it doesn't seem to allow this and it seems to cause the problems over bumps and drain covers IMO.

[JAMIE1131]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

Yes it's a good idea to try it out at about 20mph rather than 80mph in the outside lane of the M25

I wouldn't recommend it on the M25 but once your used to it ABS is THE quickest and most stable way to stop your car from any speed on any road surface. MINI engineers will have spent months repeatedly testing the ABS from 135mph-0mph on a variety of surfaces. If you go to Bruntingthorpe or MIRA your more than likely to see cars doing ABS stops from max speed through a row of sprinklers! I've seen big german 4x4s doing high speed ABS hard cornering tests and its amazing how much they will take in the hands of an experienced driver! I'd never buy a car without ABS again!