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>>It's simple physics.
Keeping friction to the maximum point while "static" (contact) friction - before it becoming "kinetic" (sliding) - allows for the best stopping distance.<<
Agreed, under most conditions. In some conditions, a sliding tire will stop better than a sliding one, and in these conditions ABS increases stopping distance, sometimes dramatically.
That's why rally drivers don't use it, as posted in the other ABS thread. In some snow conditions, as I have experienced, ABS increased stopping distance. I think this probably has to do with build-up of snow and or dirt/gravel in front of the tire that increases friction, and in snow this build up could clean away the snow so the tire gets to grip on merely wet road with far greater traction than snow.
>>When someone says that a driver can simulate that control by being aware and easing off the brake ,well he cannot, reason beig that ABS allows independant wheel (left / right) to adjust pressure. One brake pedal controls all four at the same time<<
That's true, but I've talked to people who hit a pothole under braking and the brakes released enough to put him into the intersection, and descending a steep gravel driveway that was washboarded caused his ABS brakes to release enough to actually increase his speed when he was standing on the pedal. Scary.
In most situations ABS works wonders, but in some, you want to be able to slide the tires (I do, anyway) and ABS will not allow that. In a few years no one will know how to stop a non-ABS vehicle on ice, since ABS is pretty universal on newer cars. Those drivers had better not drive anything without ABS on snow or ice.
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