Dodge Durango Forum II Archive

Re: Another ? - Antilock brakes

1. Antilock Brakes do only that, prevent lock-up. Which is what causes some spinouts, excessive skidding, loss of control (ya' know, like drive X lost control and slid into an embankment...)
2. Unless you are on ICE, antilock is NOT the quickest way to stop. In all other situations (including snow, gravel, rain) is to lock all four wheels.
3. Even if 4-wheel lock is the shortest stop, you cannot turn while your wheels are locked. ABS doesn't lock, so your steering wheel still works.
4. Empty SUV's and Pickups are particulary prone to rear wheel lockup when empty, which is why there is even a thing such as rear wheel ABS. Trucks without this spinout quite often because of that (then invariably slide into the ubiquitous embankment anyway).

So, if you are in a vehicle w/out ABS, you must decide to do one of two things in an emergency, a) pump your brakes to maintain steering control, or b) quickly, forcefully, stomp on the pedal all the way to the floor and hold -- if you MUST stop RIGHT NOW, and avoidance is not an option.

And, if you are lucky to have ABS, you have only one thing to do. Mash the pedal and hold, and use the steering wheel. Which is a more "user friendly" approach. As long as you use it correctly.

BTW, you only feel the pedal pulse on 4wheel ABS. 2wheel ABS is almost "invisable" to the driver.

Hope that helps.

Thu Jan 31