Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

  • Thread starter Thread starter GeneInOhio
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GeneInOhio

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Hi Everyone. Enjoying my Clarity as much as others on the forum!

I have an observation about my ABS. I recently had to do a panic hard stop when traffic in front of me suddenly stopped. My tires locked up and I skidded. Shouldn't the ABS system have prevented the skid? Has anyone noticed similar results when braking hard? Is there anything I can check to make sure that the system is functioning properly?

Thanks!
 
I had a hard break on the freeway last week and did not experience any skidding. It was the first teal hard break since I got the car last March and I definitely noticed that those mechanical brakes really worked well at stopping the two-ton car.
 
GeneInOhio said:
Hi Everyone. Enjoying my Clarity as much as others on the forum!

I have an observation about my ABS. I recently had to do a panic hard stop when traffic in front of me suddenly stopped. My tires locked up and I skidded. Shouldn't the ABS system have prevented the skid? Has anyone noticed similar results when braking hard? Is there anything I can check to make sure that the system is functioning properly?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Well, if it wasn't working, it would be even worse. As long as you heard the periodic ABS noise, it is working. The pedal won't have any vibrations like normal cars do, because the brake is not hydraulic assisted.

ClarityPHEVer said:
I had a hard break on the freeway last week and did not experience any skidding. It was the first teal hard break since I got the car last March and I definitely noticed that those mechanical brakes really worked well at stopping the two-ton car.
Click to expand...

They are definitely good, but a wet road might not be. Don't forget it is almost 1000 lb heavier than most midsize sedan, and be conservative when estimating your limits. Brake system can't help any more than the road is willing to grab.

Wish you don't need to learn this lesson the frustrating way like I did.
 
If you mean that all 4 wheels locked up completely and slid on the pavement, then the ABS did not do its job. I would have that tested by the dealer. The service brakes are hydraulic and the ABS works by rapidly releasing and re-applying pressure to the calipers, so there may be the feeling of lockup, when in fact the tires are just at their maximum gripping point in a panic stop.
 
GeneInOhio said:
Hi Everyone. Enjoying my Clarity as much as others on the forum!

I have an observation about my ABS. I recently had to do a panic hard stop when traffic in front of me suddenly stopped. My tires locked up and I skidded. Shouldn't the ABS system have prevented the skid? Has anyone noticed similar results when braking hard? Is there anything I can check to make sure that the system is functioning properly?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Definitely take it back to the dealer. ABS is proven technology that is in all cars nowadays. No reason for a skid. That suggests a defect. I had to do a hard stop a couple of times and I experienced no skid and was impressed with the stopping distance. After all, those green OEM tires are worse for stopping than even regular A/S tires.
 
Skidded for how long? Even with ABS you should see a series of short skid marks on the road if you drive fast enough.... It doesn't just magically stop the car
 
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