ABS problem

[lucky8]

I am having major problems with my ABS kicking in. When ever i want to slow down a little harder then usual, they seem to always go on. I dont know if this could be the problem but i have a 6MT and it is my first manual car. Could i be in the wrong gear while slowing down. For example I was in 4th today and slowed down to 20MPH and was ready to down shift but they went on before i would . Do i need to be in a lower gear when i slow down. I do downshift but to compensate for the ABS i always find myself like having to go into 2nd to slow down to 30 MPH from say 50. What do u guys think?

[larchmont]

I can't answer exactly or for sure -- among other reasons because you drive harder than I do.
But my experience has been similar to yours.

[LannyMCS]

It's your crappy OEM tires. They have very little grip on the road, so they lock easily, setting off ABS.

Since I've switched to Yokohama ES100s, I have been unable to activate my ABS, even full on braking in the rain. Night and day difference......

[Tobster]

I don't see how your tyres will affect your brakes locking up: how you apply your brakes and their condition affect their locking up. Crappy tires are likely to slide more than sticky ones when your brakes are locked up -- just ask anyone who drifts regularly.
What gear you are in will not affect your braking either. Either you are braking really hard, or something is setting off your ABS prematurely. Are you sure it's the ABS and not brake shudder from warped disks?

[MemphisRheins]

yeah the discs on the TSX have had some problems for a few people ( i think ive joined the ranks, but just dont want to admit it...) Although I do agree that you should ditch the OEM rubber, might just be worthwhile to have Acura check it out, u gotta warranty lol... keep us informed

[larchmont]

I don't see how your tyres will affect your brakes locking up: how you apply your brakes and their condition affect their locking up......
That's what I would have thought, but OTOH I could imagine it being like what Lanny said, if I tried really hard. :D

[lucky8]

do u think i should go to the dealership and have them testg drive it and test it out???

[LannyMCS]

I don't see how your tyres will affect your brakes locking up: how you apply your brakes and their condition affect their locking up. Crappy tires are likely to slide more than sticky ones when your brakes are locked up -- just ask anyone who drifts regularly.


It's simple really-it's all about traction.

Have you ever tried to brake on ice? Hard to do-no traction. If you try to brake on ice with ABS, the tires will lock and the ABS will engage.

The OEM have limited traction, even in the dry. Because their relationship with the road isn't all that "tight", they are likely to lose traction, causing the ABS to kick in.

With super sticky rubber, you are far less likely to lose traction, under any conditions-launching, turning and even braking.

[narci]

I think the ABS is way too sensative. Had my car for about 2 weeks driving an avg speed of 40km/hr (i'm no speed demon anymore) and when I casually come up to a red light or stop sign, the ABS goes off sometimes if i press it a little hard. (I have't 'jammed' on the brakes in my car yet).

[larchmont]

It's simple really-it's all about traction.

Have you ever tried to brake on ice? Hard to do-no traction. If you try to brake on ice with ABS, the tires will lock and the ABS will engage.

The OEM have limited traction, even in the dry. Because their relationship with the road isn't all that "tight", they are likely to lose traction, causing the ABS to kick in.

With super sticky rubber, you are far less likely to lose traction, under any conditions-launching, turning and even braking.
That's about what I was imagining.

[LannyMCS]

I think the ABS is way too sensative. Had my car for about 2 weeks driving an avg speed of 40km/hr (i'm no speed demon anymore) and when I casually come up to a red light or stop sign, the ABS goes off sometimes if i press it a little hard. (I have't 'jammed' on the brakes in my car yet).

Are you finding this to happen as you come to a stop on bumpy surfaces? It's not uncommon for any ABS system to kick in for a second if you hit a bump under even moderate braking.

But as I said before, the stock tires lose traction quickly, more so than any performance tire would.

[lucky8]

Well if I was to get new tires I would have to put some rims on this car. I guess i would go with 18's. What tires would you guys recomend?

[LannyMCS]

Well if I was to get new tires I would have to put some rims on this car. I guess i would go with 18's. What tires would you guys recomend?

Where do you live? Are you looking for all seasons or a summer tire?

If you are lowering, I would say 225/40/18. If you're not lowering, then either 215/45/18, although that limits your choices, or 235/40/18.

I really like Toyos; the new T1-R looks nice for a summer tire. The Proxes 4 kicks ass for all season.

I will probably be doing 18 x 8 45 offset TL accessory wheels (aka A-Spec wheels) in Silver Sparkle, with 225/40/18 Proxes 4 at some point in the fall.....

[jack.xcon]

It's simple really-it's all about traction.

Have you ever tried to brake on ice? Hard to do-no traction. If you try to brake on ice with ABS, the tires will lock and the ABS will engage.

The OEM have limited traction, even in the dry. Because their relationship with the road isn't all that "tight", they are likely to lose traction, causing the ABS to kick in.

With super sticky rubber, you are far less likely to lose traction, under any conditions-launching, turning and even braking.

I concured!.

[lucky8]

I live on Long Island ... i like the aspec TL wheels also ... i might do the same

[Tobster]

It's simple really-it's all about traction.

Have you ever tried to brake on ice? Hard to do-no traction. If you try to brake on ice with ABS, the tires will lock and the ABS will engage.

The OEM have limited traction, even in the dry. Because their relationship with the road isn't all that "tight", they are likely to lose traction, causing the ABS to kick in.

With super sticky rubber, you are far less likely to lose traction, under any conditions-launching, turning and even braking.

OK -- I've never tried to brake on ice because we don't get snow and ice where I live in Australia. But in dry braking, I still say it's the the brake not the tyre that primarily stops the wheel spinning. By brother-in-law (mechanic) crews for a Ralliart team: the first thing they do with a rally car is disable the ABS because they want to be able to lock the wheels to make the car slide. ABS stops your brakes from locking -- the tread on a tyre won't stop the wheel from spinning until the last moment. The primary cause of your ABS going off is your brake locking up for some reason -- and it won't be due to the tyre.

[LannyMCS]

The reason that rally drivers do not want ABS is so that THEY can control when the brakes lock. And they want to be able to lock the brakes to set up turns.

Take a look at any tire comparison test. You will see that some tires stop in a considerably shorter distance than others. This is due to them having more grip on the road.

ABS stops your brakes from locking

Okay, so then why is the tire locking? The only reason I can come up with is that it has lost it's grip on the road. Does it not then stand to reason that if you used a softer, stickier tire, that it would be less likely to lose its' grip on the road?

[Tobster]

It's possible that you've never driven an older car without ABS. It's not the tyre that locks: it's the brakes that lock up the wheel and stop it from turning. Yes, a sticky tyre will slow you down faster -- from an equal amount of braking pressure. The same amount of braking pressure will also lock up a wheel with either tyre under similar circumstances. The tyre doesn't just lose grip: you lose grip because the wheel is no longer turning and you're overriding any traction the tyre can give.

[narci]

I thought ABS wasn't suppose to help you stop faster but in fact helps you steer the car under locking conditions?

[larchmont]

It's possible that you've never driven an older car without ABS. It's not the tyre that locks: it's the brakes that lock up the wheel and stop it from turning. Yes, a sticky tyre will slow you down faster -- from an equal amount of braking pressure. The same amount of braking pressure will also lock up a wheel with either tyre under similar circumstances. The tyre doesn't just lose grip: you lose grip because the wheel is no longer turning and you're overriding any traction the tyre can give.
Good point, well said.

But speaking as self-appointed impartial objective judge on this thread...... :D

I say Lanny has the edge so far. :ikno:

Sounds like there's at least just a bit to what he's saying.

[larchmont]

I thought ABS wasn't suppose to help you stop faster but in fact helps you steer the car under locking conditions?
I'd say it's BOTH.
It helps the brakes do their job, AND it keeps the car straighter.

[Tobster]

ABS brakes can help you stop faster under certain circumstances by preventing your brakes from locking. When your brakes lock up your wheels you'll begin to slide -- and then you're not slowing down as fast as you could be. -- When you're sliding, you also can't steer properly (we're not talking about people who know how to drift here). ABS stops the brakes locking (basically the pulsing is applying the brake really hard and then backing it off slightly so it doesn't lock) and so you are still able to brake hard and steer the car accurately.

[APOGEE]

ABS brakes can help you stop faster under certain circumstances by preventing your brakes from locking. When your brakes lock up your wheels you'll begin to slide -- and then you're not slowing down as fast as you could be. -- When you're sliding, you also can't steer properly (we're not talking about people who know how to drift here). ABS stops the brakes locking (basically the pulsing is applying the brake really hard and then backing it off slightly so it doesn't lock) and so you are still able to brake hard and steer the car accurately.
Tobsters got it! Good job!

[Tobster]

I can see your point about tyres not gripping and sensors detecting a slide -- and setting off the ABS. But that's got to be under really hard braking and shouldn't happen under normal driving circumstances -- regardless of the quality of the tyre.

[LannyMCS]

As I've re-read this thread, I just want to say that I hope I have not done a disservice to the original poster, lucky8.

I drive very aggressively-not out of control, but I push my car on on ramps and a brake late for corners and stop signs (I do stop though :D).

As such, I activate ABS brakes on a regular basis. My wife, on the other hand, never activates her ABS.

So, when you say that you have a major problem with ABS kicking in, I really should qualify that. If you drive like I do, it will go off a few times a week. If you drive"normally", like 90% of the people out there, it should never go off. If you fall into that latter category, by all means have the dealer look at it.

[lucky8]

Thanks LannyM, i guess i fall into the same category as you. I am a very aggresive driver also. At least now I know that it is me setting it off ... :)