ABS and the Clutch

[skilledhandz]

Hi guys not been on for a while only reading.
Looking for info on when the clutch should be pressed on an ABS system.Does it go with the brake or after as in a normal braking system?Could it be that it varies with different cars?If you have an answer could you give the Whys please. Cheers

 

[rf065]

Could you expand a little, I'm not sure what you're trying to find out exactly?

Russ

 

[television]

A clutch pedal is used in the normal way, ABS or no ABS plays no part in it and has no connection what so ever

 

[skilledhandz]

Could you expand a little, I'm not sure what you're trying to find out exactly?

Russ

Ok guys im a Driving Instructor Trainer and on one of our forums a debate is raging again as to when the clutch should be pressed during an emergency stop on a vehicle with ABS

 

[Xtractorfan]

Simple really...emergency stop.. clutch and brake at the same time as no one can determine when in an emergency stop situation, at what point or speed the drive from the engine would begin to pull the car on...this also applies to the passenger.lol

Normal quick brake to reduce speed , someone pulls into your lane.. brake only

 

[television]

Surely the brake must be pushed and held firmly until the car has stopped, and the clutch pedal de pressed just before the car stops.

On cars fitted with ESP and BAS these system will take over anyway, no matter what you do with the clutch, this would be the same as with an automatic gearbox, and is it not against the law to coast, and if you push the clutch down while the car is moving and not changing gear, then are you breaking the law

 

[Xtractorfan]

Surely the brake must be pushed and held firmly until the car has stopped, and the clutch pedal de pressed just before the car stops.

On cars fitted with ESP and BAS these system will take over anyway, no matter what you do with the clutch, this would be the same as with an automatic gearbox, and is it not against the law to coast, and if you push the clutch down while the car is moving and not changing gear, then are you breaking the law

But we are talking about an emergency stop, where rationale goes out of the equation, stop the car immediately, brake and clutch together..

 

[television]

But we are talking about an emergency stop, where rationale goes out of the equation, stop the car immediately, brake and clutch together..

Fair comment

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>Surely the brake must be pushed and held firmly until the car has stopped, and the clutch pedal de pressed just before the car stops.


I would disagree - although under slow lift off you get engine braking, under more rapid braking, the inertia of the engine actually hinders braking - decoupling the engine by pressing the clutch reduces the "effective" mass of the car, which is a good thing during an emergency stop.

Getting the clutch pedal down is the right thing to do.

 

[rf065]

What's a clutch?
I only have 2 pedals.

Russ

 

[bigasotonuk]

I have to disagree, systems like the ABS, ESP etc only work above a certain speed, if the clutch was down there would be a possibility of wheel lock up as the car's speed falls below the ABS/ESP activation speed, though this speed would be very low and 9/10 would,nt cause a problem, but it would only need a wheel to skid on wet leaves, Ice etc.

 

[wireman]

My answer, the only answer that makes sense to me.

YES OUI YAH etc

On normal dry roads it will be difficult to find a difference, but when turning or on any poor grip surface (wet / sandy / gravel / etc) when the surface is slippy or differs on LHS and RHS the difference is quite marked, you will get into difficulty much sooner without parting the clutch.

You can go and try this on a skid pan, the results will convince you especialy if its a front wheel drive vehicle. With an auto transmission you should select neutral if practical.

It has to be said that trying to teach this is not easy, there being more actions to remember and thus more room for confusion in the novice driver makes it less easy to get a novice up to scratch.

Perhaps adding compulsory skid pan driving ability (before you take to any road) to our test would bring major benifits, as in some scandinavian countries.