Tips for driving without ABS/TCS
#1
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Tips for driving without ABS/TCS
Hello all,
As you know I got a 2004 Mustang GT for my first car and I was wondering if you could give me some tips for driving without Anti-Lock Brakes and Traction Control, as my car did not come with them. I am not really worried about driving in dry weather, but what about when I have to make an emergency stop in the rain? As you know we get a lot of rain in Houston so I was wondering about your opinions.
As you know I got a 2004 Mustang GT for my first car and I was wondering if you could give me some tips for driving without Anti-Lock Brakes and Traction Control, as my car did not come with them. I am not really worried about driving in dry weather, but what about when I have to make an emergency stop in the rain? As you know we get a lot of rain in Houston so I was wondering about your opinions.
#2
Legacy TMS Member
Simply put, slow down in the rain.
Not good enough answer? Ok...
Pretend you're a motorcycle. Better yet, go take an MSF course. I recommend Awesome Cycles, simply a great experience. That will give you some of *the* best information about how to handle a motorcycle... which really does an excellent job of translating into how to handle your car in all aspects... rain included.
Because a motorcycle is all about traction, and managing it. So is a non-abs, non traction control car: You have to manage your traction.
And the best reason I tell you about the MSF idea is this: They'll reinforce the idea of the 12-4-2 zones. As in: Keep your eyes looking for reasons you might have to be stopping suddenly... and maybe you'll take preventative action to not be in the situation in the first place, and therefore you'll keep in the traction.
Which all boils down to... slow down in the rain.
Not good enough answer? Ok...
Pretend you're a motorcycle. Better yet, go take an MSF course. I recommend Awesome Cycles, simply a great experience. That will give you some of *the* best information about how to handle a motorcycle... which really does an excellent job of translating into how to handle your car in all aspects... rain included.
Because a motorcycle is all about traction, and managing it. So is a non-abs, non traction control car: You have to manage your traction.
And the best reason I tell you about the MSF idea is this: They'll reinforce the idea of the 12-4-2 zones. As in: Keep your eyes looking for reasons you might have to be stopping suddenly... and maybe you'll take preventative action to not be in the situation in the first place, and therefore you'll keep in the traction.
Which all boils down to... slow down in the rain.
#6
Legacy TMS Member
This! I wish I could cite the study (IIRC I saw something about this during a "field trip" to Michelin's LPG), but tire pressure and the way it effects the contact patch while treading water is critical.
#7
Legacy TMS Member
Yeah, IIRC the GT's fitted out with the Premium option came with ABS/TCS standard while on the Deluxe or whatever they called it either wasn't available or it was an extra cost option.
#8
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Pump the brakes. Even on snow & ice you can usually regain traction if during one of the pumps you feel slippage because you applied too much pressure. [Unless you were driving crazy around a sharp turn on the edge of a cliff... ] Then pump again continuously until you've slowed down to traction speed.
Heck I still do with ABS. Years of habit from driving SRA's in snow.
Heck I still do with ABS. Years of habit from driving SRA's in snow.
Last edited by cdynaco; 9/20/09 at 05:09 PM.
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