Rob144

Maybe this is normal, but I've had several close calls when slowing to a stop if the road below is bumpy.

For example, during my commute, I have a slight downhill stop at a light. If I brake as I normally would, the ABS activates and the cars skips forward rather while coming to a stop. The brake pressure I apply and situation are hardly an emergency stop - pretty routine. But the car is pretty unhappy about it.

The same thing happens even if the road isn't on a downward slope. The surface streets in San Diego are pretty hacked up, so this happens more than I'd like. I have to brake very early for lights now.

Is the problem less the brakes and more with the stock OEM tires (now 2 years old with 13000 miles)? Would tires with more traction help a bit with stopping in these situations? Or would stickier tires cause more ABS action?

Thanks,
Rob

Ballinger

Tell me which streets and I'll go try it with mine.

Don't worry about the rumor that the ABS malfunction is a precursor to total transmission failure and paint delamination. Totally fabricated.

Rob144

Find any road that has been poorly repaired and press the brakes firmly. Just make sure there are no cars in front of you. If the suspension has any work to do, the ABS activates.

If you really must know, my street nemesis is the right lane of Scripps Ranch Blvd southbound at Mira Mesa Blvd.

There are no warning lights, so I'm guessing this is just a characteristic of the car and tire combo. Fortunately, the problem has not affected paint adhesion in any way.

Rob144

dwboston

It happens to me at times as well. Mostly when going downhill and slowing down on some of the bumpy, frost-heaved roads around here. There must be some wheel slippage detected and the ABS activates. Happened with my old 05 as well. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ballinger

Ah, descending toward the off-camber drop to the right as you race to Denny's for breakfast. 5th to 2nd gear and threshold braking? Rowdy RL drivers are a menace!

I get by that way fairly often and I'll give it a go.

PortlandRL

Audis are struck with a similar ailment. Whenever I would go over speed bumps in a Q7 a little faster than the car liked, the stability control would throw a hissy fit. I had S5 owners complain about it, too.