HELP!!! NO ABS AND ITS ICY OUT!!!!

[Jon Klein]

I have a 93 ATX and I don't have any abs brakes any more. The idiot light doesn't come on when I start the car or anything. I think I checked all the fuses. I definately checked all of the fuses in the high current box. PLEASE HELP!!! I almost killed myself like 15 times on the way home from school. Its gonna snow on sunday and it would really help if I got this thing fixed but I don't have the money to take it in.

Jon

 

[projectSHO89]

Several generations of drivers learned to drive without the benefit of ABS.

Sounds like you need to learn that also, now.

Many driving related web sites (such as AAA's)provide tips and hints on how to drive in hazardous conditions. Go study and put the info to practical use.

Steve

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

Jon, for what its worth my ABS hardly ever kicks in, but i think it has alot to do with driving habits and how stubborn the sensor is. i drove in plenty of snow in a 1990 chevy corsica with good ol pump and go brakes, i wouldnt worry, as long as your watching your speed and have plenty of space youll be fine man. i drove home in the blizzard we had in NYC last thursday, 5 inches, ABS didnt come on once, dont worry man. i think it may have something to do with the fact that usually all your wheels have stopped rotating but its the whole car that moving, where as i *think* abs acts on the principle of one wheel moving faster than the other when braking is applied. besides, if your ABS light isnt on all the time you should be fine. but you should check your codes anyway. good luck man, be safe!
Bob

 

[jniemiec]

projectSHO89:
Several generations of drivers learned to drive without the benefit of ABS.

Sounds like you need to learn that also, now.

Many driving related web sites (such as AAA's)provide tips and hints on how to drive in hazardous conditions. Go study and put the info to practical use.

Steve

i would agree with what he just said. i myself actually hate abs. you cant get a feel for how icy/slippery the roads actually are. i myself think i can stop much better without the abs, but then again thats just me.

 

[bobh]

Could be the light is out, but ABS is still working?

Anyway, the key is to drive smoothly and softly. Slow and soft on the gas and brakes. Soft, slow turns.
If you've got ice slow down! Icy patches may feel worse than they actually are if you're not used to it. Especially w/FWD. If you're going straight just maintain a constant velocity over the ice. For corners do all your slowing down before you get to them so you're not trying to brake while going around the corner on ice--it'll never work.

 

[jbeano]

I drove several winters with a 88 Mustang Gt in big time snow country about 50 miles north of Toronto. As others have said just take your time leave plenty of space between you and the next car and all will be fine.
Everytime there was a bad snowfall it was guranteed that the majority of vehicles in the ditches were SUVs. They think that ABS + 4WD = invincibility.

 

[ericwick19]

Yup, ABS is really just dead weight. All it does is pump the breaks for you so your wheels dont lock up, i can easily do the same with a little body part called my foot.....Not to mention it is annoying when you are trying to have some fun sliding around in the ice and snow...heheh. I personally, just pulled the ABS fuse and replaced the cluster warning light with a burnt out bulb.

 

[Detenator]

I used to have a chevy wagon, with no abs. It was nice and heavy. I slid so much sideways that i was forced to learn how to pump the breaks. Then i got the sho with abs, and to be honest with you, it has saved my ass on many occasions. I would have it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing before skiding into somthing harder then your front bumper. While you can drive without abs, i would strongly reccoment having it fixed, especialy for a driver who isn't used to driving without abs. You can practice skid control in an empty parking lot; but until then, use abs.

 

[91 SHOplus]

jniemiec:

projectSHO89:
Several generations of drivers learned to drive without the benefit of ABS.

Sounds like you need to learn that also, now.

Many driving related web sites (such as AAA's)provide tips and hints on how to drive in hazardous conditions. Go study and put the info to practical use.

Steve

i would agree with what he just said. i myself actually hate abs. you cant get a feel for how icy/slippery the roads actually are. i myself think i can stop much better without the abs, but then again thats just me.

Ditto that. I can stop a non-ABS car faster than an ABS car. I don't mean to sound like a wise-ass, but learn to drive. Slow down, Brake gently well before the turn, and then coast through it. Braking or gassing in the middle of a turn will put you in a ditch faster than $hit through a goose.

Someone said to find an empty parking lot and practise skid control. That is the best advise you'll get all winter.

Seriously.

 

[brianl]

OK, what kind of tires do you have?

How is the tread depth?

My winter car has no ABS, and here in the north end of Toronto, we've actually had a bit of snow this year. I remind myself when I drive it - No ABS -Remember No ABS! I know how to brake properly, but nowadays, most cars have it. Nonetheless, I have yet to lock my wheels up (1990 Hyundai Sonata 4-cylinder-Yeee haw!!!).

What the **** are you doing?

I remember I was stretching the summer tires a little too far and was downtown Toronto in the end of December, a big snowstorm hit (inches) and I was parked at the Eatons Centre with Dunlop D40M2's. Oh goody! Anyways, in a situation like that (I drove home-stupid, I know), ABS doesn't mean shXX.

 

[pjtoledo]

ABS on dry or wet pavement is great. In the snow ABS becomes iffy. On ice, ABS will actually give you longer stopping distances. Seems the ice doesn't have enough friction to get the wheels rolling again. Just my opinion, your experiances are welcome.

Perry Toledo,Ohio