5 Apr
1999
5 Apr
'99
11:14 p.m.
On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Dwight Elvey wrote:
________O/_______
O\
I think people miss the point here. First, nothing
short
of retro rockets will slow you fast on snow and ice. The
best rule here is "SLOW DOWN". Even rainy or dew slick
roads reduce traction a lot. ABS' generally do much better
on ice and snow than can be done manually. Yes, they generally
lock and on lock but it is much better than complete lock
as all but a trained expert would do under such conditions.
I'm not all that great a fan of ABS but I think for anyone
not trained in skid control, it will do better than most
people would do. Skid training is something that has to
be learned as an automatic reaction. It requires regular
refreshing to keep the skill in tune. It can't be learned
by reading a book, it must be experienced.
ABS will not do magic, it will in most conditions give
one a better chance than they would normally have. It won't
make up for foolish drivers.
IMHO
Dwight
I generally agree with your comments about 'skid control' which must
be learned so well that it becomes a conditioned reflex. And that is
somewhat difficult in that the proper reaction to a rear wheel skid is
exactly the opposite of a front wheel skid.
However, I think that you mix apples and oranges when you negate the
desirability of ABS if you are 'skid conditioned'. ABS will certainly
make you stop in a lesser distance and will also minimize the tendency to
skid. Nothing will preclude skidding under some conditions except
parking the vehicle, but ABS is a distinct benefit under most
circumstances for most drivers.
Here in Southern California where we will probably have a fender bender
when anyone empties their Thermos on the pavement, or - heaven help us -
if it showers the freeway becomes an auto wrecking yard, we need not only
ABS but a liberal dose of that uncommon faculty mistakenly called common
sense! Drive slower and keep your distance.
- don