i just got back home safely ... i was lucky.

it's all snow and ice here in CO. but .... something is wrong with my ABS.
it engages on almost EVERY stop, and the worst part the car almost doesn't stop when they engage.

for example , i stopped at a light , together with other cars. only my car continued into the intersection . and it stopped in the middle of it !!!
i feel my pedal shakes like crazy , and the car just keeps going.

now , after every ABS engagement , when i release the pedal i hear a Buzz noise.
same buz as when i start the car. i actually have TWO buzz sounds after every start.
when i asked my mechanic what is that buzz noise , he said "its the ABS"

so what's going on here ? i'm scared to drive the car now. it's UNSAFE.

another thought , maybe my tires are not good for snow too. but still i doubt the ABS suppose to perform so poorly .

i didnt find this subject covered on a search , so that’s why i opened a new thread.


thanks Dan

 

Just so you know, my car was doing this today too, but I haven't driven in an hour or so, and since then from looking outside I can tell it's sticking quite a bit more. I don't know what to tell you, I went through a stopsign or two, luckily there was no one else there...

 

If you are on ice - the abs isnt going to make the car stop any faster. Its meant to sense a differance in wheel speeds and quickly apply and release the faster wheels brake

The 2 buzzes- one when you start and the other just as you start to drive forward are abs system self test.
You could have a bad sensor wire, bad tires, but definetly in need of someone to look at the car and tell you whats wrong.

What tires do you have?

 

yes i know ABS not suppoe to short the distance of my braking. only gives you steering under hard brakes. by eliminate the lock.
but hey my Old 92 Civic without ABS stopped on the same conditions.
i'm driving here in CO winters for 8 years. and this is the first winter with this car,
it's no good. that's what i can say. if thats what ABS does , i can live without it.
i just felt i have no brakes , while other cars stopped with no problem.

i will check what kind of tires i got and post here

 

Your problem maybe in the tires ability not to grip and not the ABS. Do you have any other braking problems under normal conditions? Any ABS light?

 

no, on dry road no problem. and never seen the light.
you maybe be right. i think they are "performance" tires.i will check,

by the way , are Accord wheels fits this car ? i was thinking maybe to get a used Accord wheel set for winter.

 

5x114.3 bolt pattern
7" rim = +42 offset
7.5" rim = +45 offset
8" rim = +48 offset

copy and pasted from the wheels forum

 

yes as long as they are the 16" or larger 5 bolts

 

I recommend Hankook Icebears. Performance snow tire that is not as expensive as others... I've actually driven on them year round since this past year I have been commuting on a motorcycle more than driving the Acura.

like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/235-4...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Size and model:

235/45-17 Hankook Icebear W300 Winter/Snow Tires

I

 

for comparison, Blizzaks (I run them on my minivan) are $137 each at TireRack in the TL size. $118.99 shipped on eBay (could not find on TireRack)

 

I found my TL to be unnerving on the stock Turanzas in the snow (all-seasons). On the other hand, it's a billygoat (surefooted) with snows (really, I'd expect any *snow* tire will likely outperform an all season due to tread pattern alone). Totally different car. highly recommend. Noisier, but worth it.

 

i found those on Craigslist , will those work ? asking is $400

"For Sale, Four (4) Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 Snow Tires (205/55-R16) mounted and balanced on Four (4) steel rims (16x6.5 with 5x114 bolt pattern). These tires were only used for a single season before we sold the car (2002 Acura RSX) (approx 4000 miles). The tires have been stored in tire bags during the off-season."

 

Please remember that the TL is much heavier and more powerful than the old 92 Civic. So it is not unusual that they stop differently on the same conditions. The type of tires on the cars also make a big difference in stopping on ice and snow.

But one thing I can tell you is that my 2WD TL-S with genuine snow tires can run circles around my wife's AWD A6, which has high performance all-season tires, on snow and ice covered roads. This tells you that the type of tires will make a big difference in terms of stopping and turning on snow and ice.

 

One more thing, Danny_isr. You just have to get use to ABS, because it is becoming standard equipment in more and more vehicle models. Very soon, you will not find any new vehicle without ABS as standard equipment. With almost all car makers endorsing ABS, it can't be bad at all.

 

LOL..

may i add the abs system isnt (is not) designed to stop the car faster. The function of the ABS system is to prevent wheel lockup so the driver can successfully turn the steering wheel and avoid a collision..

and also, the abs self checks, aka pump motor runs, at 7 and then again at 15mph

 

yes i know , read my previous thread , this is exactly what i said.
"yes i know ABS not suppoe to short the distance of my braking. only gives you steering under hard brakes. by eliminate the lock."

and for ABS in general. i dont thin ABS is bad thing at all . the other way around.
i just suspect mine doesnt work well.

 

What tires do you have?

And also like asked before do you have any other braking issues like on dry/wet pavement?

What tires do you have?

 

an easy way to test the abs is is throw some water on the street or coming out of a car wash - you can find good water tracks there.
Place one side of the car on dry pavement- the other sides wheels in the water and hit the brakes for all your worth from 25 mph! The pedal should pulsate- not to be confused with SHAKE- as it applies brake to the dry side and cycles the wet side.

How are your brake pads and rotors anyway?

Stomp and Steer is even what the ABS is called in the Owner book! Meant to allow steering control in panic braking situations- ice isn't what they were thinking of-except the TCS, its for snow-ice when starting forward.
The Gen3 have some freaky vehicles control system that outthinks the driver in emergency situations with braking forces at different wheels and rev limiters...
me, I prefer to learn how to drive in varying road and atmosperic conditions- if that means skid control school, or snow driving or 4wd off roading- get instruction from a pro!!