Brake judder in the snow

[muttley 0]

I dont know if i've got a problem or if it was just coz of the weather but i'l explain it as best as i can.

Last night on my way back home ( snow was a good few inch's thick at this point ) i notice a few times that when i braked the front brakes juddered and as they juddered the brake pedal pushed up against my foot and juddered with it too. i dont know if i braked through the snow and slid on tarmac and got traction. i really dont know. to say it was a bit worrying is understatement as i was trying be as carefull as i could.

Cheers

John

[H13VYY 0]

thats the ABS kicking in.

[RAPgolfvr6182 2]

^^^^^^^^ as above abs kicking in

[rodney 17]

when it kicks in like that you keep the pressure on the peddle and let the technology stop you...

[VR6Pete 1,455]

As above

[Pearsy47 1]

as above lol

[muttley 0]

i tried to keep the presure, but it was really hard to push down at that point

It felt bloody dangerous, dont supose i can switch it off can i

[Jamesr_VR6 0]

^^^ you woul dbe an absolute fool to turn your ABS off especially in this weather.

ABS stops your brakes locking and ending up in a slide.

You dont need to put severe pressure on the pedal, jsut the same as when you started braking,

I dont know what i would do without ABS in this weather, saved my bacon this morning it ell you!!!

[Pearsy47 1]

i don t use the brakes in this weather your better off changing gear and use engine braking that way you don t go into a slide !

[rodney 17]

i tried to keep the presure' date=' but it was really hard to push down at that point

It felt bloody dangerous, dont supose i can switch it off can i

[/quote']

You can but we won't tell you how as we seriously feel it is a major safety issue... the car is infinately safer with it fitted and if you have an accident and you car is examined and found disconnected then your are not insured.... forgive me if I get this wrong... however, Judging from you posts/comments you're not a very seasoned driver in more modern cars or adverse weather and have not come across some of these products fitted to cars.

So here are the basics. The ABS is basically fitted to stop the brakes locking. It is a critical part of the braking system. When you try to brake hard (on any surface type) and you loose the traction of you tyres with the surface the automated system takes over. It basically does a technique where it switches the brakes on (applies them if you like) and off very rapidly allowing traction to be regained again. It will continue to do this until the tyres regrip properly. In addition this also allows you to turn and steer to avoid any thing you would otherwise hit with out such a technique or product fitted.

If you use you browser and do some searches you will find loads of links confirming the correct techniques for use and explainnig their operation in full.

The feeling under foot is the rapid application being bounced back through your brake pedal. (after all liquids cannot be compressed). It is an unusual feeling but it confirms your system is working - which is good. The only way to avoid their operation is to drive/travel at such a speed where they are not needed to reduce your speed quicker than the traction your tyres provide on that surface.

The correct technique for any car is basically as you would expect. you apply the brakes as needed.. lets say an emergency stop to avoid tiddles the cat on the motorway. You apply the brakes as hard as you can and keep your foot there until you can safely release or you stop. More modern cars have a less aggressive feel to the pedal when operating ABS.... but the same thing happens..

Hope it helps in some small way and if you knew this then I didnt mean to teach you to suck eggs!

[muttley 0]

i didn't know all of that no. it was a surprise to say the least when it happened last night. I've been driving 15 years and had that experience before. but as you said was right most of the cars i have owned havn't had this on them. i went from a mk2 scirocco to the vr6 so you could say i'm not used to it yet lol. only had the car for 3 weeks lol

But thank you RCF and the rest of you that have posted to help me. it is much appreciated

Cheers

John

PS is there anymore surprises that i need to know lol

[Jamesr_VR6 0]

Your very welcome,

I wasnt implying that yo are a fool, but only if you did disconnect your ABS

RCF is also correct that new cars are less violent with the pedal, my ibiza is a 57 plate and i get a light vibration when the ABS kicks in, unlike older cars ive driven where it kicks back so hard it nearly shatters your shin!!

[Pearsy47 1]

yer there is a bomb fitted to the left side of the enigne !! so watch out for that lol

[SamboVr6 0]

Just don't brake is the best option i find! :-d

[Pearsy47 1]

Just don't brake is the best option i find! :-d

lol i also find letting go of the steering wheel and closing my eyes and screaming helps !

[SamboVr6 0]

Just don't brake is the best option i find! :-d

lol i also find letting go of the steering wheel and closing my eyes and screaming helps !

Classic!! Will def try that on the way home tonight!

[Jamesr_VR6 0]

bit harsh?

[Pearsy47 1]

lol here we go your going to plow into about ten cars write them off but your vr will still be ok lmao

[SamboVr6 0]

bit harsh?

What?

[Pearsy47 1]

who was a bit harsh jame s??

[SamboVr6 0]

Think we scared him off steve! :-d

[Pearsy47 1]

oh dear im blaming you sambo as you are a angry person !

[SamboVr6 0]

Shut up!! I'm really not (takes a few deep breaths) see :-d

[Jamesr_VR6 0]

Thought the comments about muttleys lack of car knowledge was a bit far over the "just having a laugh" marker and nearing the side of nasty and spitefullness,

I mean im not stating this hence the question mark on my original psot, i dont wanna accuse anyone of anything, but thats the way i read the comments so thought i would ask

[SamboVr6 0]

We weren't laughing at his lack of knowledge, In all fairness he probably knows more about cars than i do.