that is why i am thinking of installing an ABS cutoff switch. i did that in my WRX and it was much better!!!!!

altough, i haven't tried the EVO's abs in the snow so i might give it a chance before i disconnect it. the WRX had the worst ABS system EVER!!!

 

I think the sport ABS on the EVO is pretty descent. I'm gonna try it out for a while this winter before I pull the fuse.

Agreed on the WRX. It had the worse ABS of any car I have ever driven. Felt like the breaks went out when it would kick in, not to mention it made one hell of a racket.

 

agreed, i will try the abs for 1 week and if it sucks than bye bye ABS!!!!

 

Try driving a Golf
Worst ABS ever!

 

no way bro!!!

i have driven many cars in my lifetime (including gulf) and the WRX ABS still takes 1st place at the "most likely to kill you annual award" contest!!

 

You make me wanna try one

 

Seiously.

The WRX is off the charts. I think they may have even had a recall on it. Go test drive one this winter and you will see the light.

 

I say keep on the gas and steer your way down to level grounds, so your tires still have traction.

 

ABS is not for stopping the car, its to help with steering. The E-brake is good for stopping if used properly (don't just yank on it, hold the button in and work it slowly, and if you start going sideways let it go. I had a 2.5 RS right before the WRX came out and the only thing it was good for was to start from a dead stop on a steep hill in the snow. The abs almost gave me a heart attack. THANK GOD FOR THE E-BRAKE!!!! Traded in in for my OZ. And as for starting to lose grip down a hill when just trying to let 1st gear hold you, use the gas pedal to get you out of it. Did you buy a rally car for the name?? I had an 86 GTI with 161 whp and no hill, up or down, ever got the best of me. I even passed trucks going up hills. Only advice I can give you is to practice in a secluded area and learn your car

 

In moderately deep unpacked snow on a packed snow or ice base, the ABS system often actually lengthens your stopping distance compared to locking the wheels up. When a wheel locks up in unpacked snow, it tends to act like a plow and build up a mound of snow on the front side -- this serves to stop the car. If the front wheels are locked up firm with the brakes, you can actually increase this plowing effect by turning the steering wheel to full lock. Now your front tires are presenting a wider profile facing forward and they plow more snow. But if you do that, realize that if you release the brake with the wheel at full lock, the front tires could hook up and whip the car sideways.

On the other hand, if the ABS prevents your wheels from locking up, you don't get as much plowing action -- your braking is now mostly dependent on achieving traction with the surface under the loose snow. If that underlying surface is slick, ABS can be detrimental.

 

I don't think ABS ever really works well on slick surfaces, especially snow or ice. I've found the best way to stop in snow is to apply just enough brake where the wheels don't lock up. As soon as the ABS kicks on, you lose all your stopping power. When I have to stop or slow down while going down hill, I push in the clutch too, because I get a better feel for the braking threshold that way. I did a lot of experimentation in the snow storm today, and I can assure you that I'm able to work the brakes better than the Evo's ABS can.

 

If all four wheels lock up ABS does nothing for you. It thinks your stopped. Some cars when releasing the brake while 4 wheel skidding to manually pump them really confuses the ABS and stability/TCS systems on some cars. It thinks too much power is being applies and basically the systems work against each other and you and its a complete mess. GO SLOW, and get lots of practice in big empty lots for hwo the car will behave in the snow/ice. Personally I use left foot braking and gas at the same time to best keep weight where it's needed and use the handbrake and throttle in FWD if I am understeering. But it's only from lots of ice driving and intentionally driving (? sliding) sideways down the streets seeing how long I can hold the ebrake and keep the wheels turned and look out the side windows. After doing this for the past 6 or so years ice storms each winter, snow and ice is now a time to avoid others and keep as much distance from them as possible and enjoy car control skills. It's nice being able to really keep it completely on the limit 10/10ths at just 25 mph. going straight.. sideways..

 

Its not a good idea to pull the ebrake while moving in an AWD car, you REALLY shouldn't do this.

 

Progressive throttle and brake inputs. Oh, yeah, and get snow tires.

 

1st - Let off the gas.
2nd - Gear down while applying steady firm pressure on the brake
3rd - DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT pump your brakes. This is a bad
thing to do in an ABS equipped vehicle.

This will bring your car to a stop in the shortest distance.