Miata Mailing List: December 1996, Message #5
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   From: (none)

Subject: value of ABS

   Date: (none)





Cliff Thompson posted:

"It's been well discussed that ABS doesn't help much

if you don't know

how to use it (don't pump).  But I haven't heard whether ABS (properly

applied) provides significantly better braking overwhat a skillful driver

can manage without it.  What's the conventionallwisdom on that point and

what are the tradeoffs in summertime driving?  (I notice the R package

does not have it.)"



  Good question.  I can provide a little data, and I'm sure others will

add their 2 cents.  A year ago I took the Skip Barber course at Lime Rock,

Connecticut.  We drove the same car with and without the ABS. It is very

hard for even a skilled professional driver to beat ABS under a variety of

conditions.  I discussed this with the Skip Barber instructors, and they

said they could match the ABS under track conditions but that it is tough

to beat and that they couldn't do quite as well under varied real-world

conditions.

  For street driving, especially where there can be rain, snow, and ice, I

vote for ABS. But you do need to practice with it and learn how to use it

right (firm pedal, no pumping).

  BTW, I think I remember that beginning in 1995, the Miata uses the same

ABS as on the third generation RX-7. (After all the changes in 94, that

was the only significant mechanical change in 1995.)  Terrific

unit, from all reports. 

John Emerson,  1992 Sunburst Yellow A (no ABS)

Middlebury, Vermont