Does Your Saturn Have Antilock Brakes?

[Charlie]

Does your Saturn have ABS? If you do, have you ever had to use them? What happened?

Charlie

[piney]

My 1997 has TC/ABS with the 4-wheel disks and they were used once, the second week that I had the car. Seems some 82 year-old wanted to wait till the last possible second before seeing if they worked. Anyhow, yes, they engaged and no, they did not stop the laws of physics from working. She got t-boned.

[ProDarwin]

Yes. They engage all the time on the ice and snow that has covered my road this winter.

They did fail me once when I did a 180 at 60mph, and the car ended up on its driver's side in a ditch. But oh well, can't expect that much from a car.

[John10]

I've been opting for antilock brakes on all my cars for years. For a couple of hundred $ per car, if I or any of my other family members ever really needs them, it will be well worth the investment.

[swoker183]

no i dont have them. i dont really miss them seeing how i never had them

[eRic 02sc2]

nope, neither my 92 sc nor my 96 sc2 have abs, but they both have rear discs after i converted them.

[Nuke-Em]

I can't even count how many times my family or myself has needed them (after all, we've had 'em since 1994).

Matt

[sstar]

My 2002 LW200 is the first car I've owned with ABS. This winter the ABS has engaged several times on the snow and ice. I think it works rather well. I was impressed.

[MyPointofVUE]

My 96 SL2 had anti-lock brakes, I liked them and they did have to engage a couple of times.

My new VUE doesn't have them, I wish they did. But I wanted this particular set of options and ABS wasn't available. I miss it.

[Galileo]

They saved me twice in my last car.... a Pontiac Sunfire.....now I am a believer and will get them on all my future cars (including my current SC2). ABS did help me maintain control in my SC2 as I swerved into the shoulder to avoid rear-ending a Toyota 4 Runner.... that got my heart pumping! I came to a stop dead even with the SUV, so I can't imagine how bad it would have been if I had hit him :whoa: . I felt a little stupid for not paying attention but also a little bit proud of being able to react so quickly...... and glad that I drive a Saturn that responds well to emergency situations.

[XtremeGrandAm]

My 2001 SC2 had abs/traction control
Our L has abs/trac
My 91 SL2 did have abs
my 92 SL did not

[Dr. Bob]

One of my S-cars has the antilock w/ traction control. I appreciate the traction control more than the antilock brakes myself.

The other 3 don't have it, but it usually isn't a big deal for me.

The Sonoma pickup has antilock brakes - I think on the back only, and that is very, very helpful.

If I get a choice, my next car will have it.

[DesertPuma]

Nope.

Never had them, on ANY car I have ever owned.

Never needed them.

Waste of $$$$.

[DJDaddyG]

I've been selling Saturns for 10 years. Always was on the fence about ABS. Some people like them some don't. I, however ,am now a convert to the ABS/TCS system since taking possession of a2002 LW300. I live in Ontario, Canada and we have had a pretty slippery winter. I can't count the times the traction active light has come on in the last two months. I now reccomend them to all my customers.

[MydnightMyst]

My 1996 Saturn has ABS. I can't say I have ever had to use them as I always considered the car to be the one who uses them. *lol* Anyway, they have activated before and it was the first time I had experience with ABS. It was a rather "kurt" pulsing and the car came to a stop easily enough.
It was about 6 yeears ago. A lady pulled in front of me in an intersection on my green (she was attempting a left turn). I had just bought the Saturn not 6 months before. I slammed the brakes and the ABS kicked in. You couldn't get a hair bewteen us, but we did not touch. I still called the police just in case (I was pregnant at the time) and she was sited. The officer was glad that we didn't collide and I went away thinking how happy I was that the ABS worked so well.
During the winter, my then husband had a different experience with ABS. A person pulled out in front of him much the same way that had happened to me, only when he slammed on the brakes, the car kicked in the ABS and then "threw" the car into a snowbank. He was not happy with that. I also happened to know where that guy lived and went to his home with a bill for a new fog lamp and bumper repair. The guy wrote a check and I mentioned how rude it was to leave my husband in the snow like that. Well, it was rude..
Haven't had the need to use them since I have been drag racing the car for many years, but I thought it was a neat invention. On cars like ours. For cars like T/A's and Camaro's, it's an expensive feature that looks good and not much more (I have owned a T/A with ABS). Kinda like those big SUV's are so much safer due to their size *yeah riiiiiggggghhhhhttttt*

[WinterRide]

I would never purchase another car without them. A few years back I worked in the ABS development group at Delphi and saw up close what they can and can't do. Anyone who says they are a waste of money or you don't need them has either been lucky enough to not be in a situation where they needed them, they were in a situation that they needed them and got in an accident, or simply haven't had the benefits properly explained. The major misconception is that the main benefit is stopping distance. It is a benefit to stopping distance in most situations except formable surfaces like snow and gravel. Those two surfaces build up in front of a tire that is locked up, aiding in stopping distance for a non-ABS car. Ice is a surface where ABS is hands down superior. That aside, the main benefit of ABS is control of your vehicle in a heavy braking situation especially on low Mu surfaces i.e. ice and rain. It allows you to steer out of the way to avoid an impending collision.

[DesertPuma]

Ice, Snow, and Gravel.

I live in Phoenix, and none of those hazards exist here (maybe Gravel to a certain extent).

Still, I have NEVER been in a situation where I have needed them, and I NEVER anticipate needing them.

I am an extremely careful driver, and I am always wary of EVERYTHING around me, always.

[Galileo]

Originally posted by DesertPuma
I am an extremely careful driver, and I am always wary of EVERYTHING around me, always.
Come on up north sometime and try driving in snow & ice...... you might change your mind ;) . It must be nice to drive in an environment that NEVER hides any surprises :D .

[WinterRide]

Originally posted by DesertPuma
Ice, Snow, and Gravel.

I live in Phoenix, and none of those hazards exist here (maybe Gravel to a certain extent).

Snow and gravel extend stopping distances with ABS. Most ABS systems can stop shorter on dry pavement, even with a professional driver modulating the brakes just to the tires limit.
That's because the pro diver is controlling all 4 wheels at once vs. abs optimizing all 4 wheels separately. Ever heard those screeching before an accident? It probably could have been avoided with ABS. Screeching tires = lockup = much longer stopping distance = BANG!

Rain and ice are the best surfaces to show the benefits of ABS. They are unpredictable for the driver to anticipate lock-up and ultimately maintain steering control.




Still, I have NEVER been in a situation where I have needed them, and I NEVER anticipate needing them.

I am an extremely careful driver, and I am always wary of EVERYTHING around me, always.

Never is a powerful word, remember it is not always you.

I'm not saying you can't live without ABS, but stating it is a waste of money show a misunderstanding of the system.

[r_o__]

abs sucks.....i've driven thru a stop sign.....just about rear-ended an other car both seperate incedents all thanks to abs brake..i had them on my last car a 94 cavalier....i dont have them on my saturn but i traded one evil for an other...abs for air bags

[WinterRide]

Originally posted by r_o__
abs sucks.....i've driven thru a stop sign.....just about rear-ended an other car

And you would have without ABS, unless this was gravel or snow of course. ;)

[cormor]

My brother has anti-lock breaks on his Malibu and its hard to press the pedal, but it did save us from a big crash once. We were going down a 4lane road and up comes a hill, on the other size theres a damn bus and everyones stopped. It feels kind of weird when your pressing all the way down on the breaks and they arent fully stopping. Im fine with my feather break pedal tho.

[ProDarwin]

Originally posted by r_o__
abs sucks.....i've driven thru a stop sign.....just about rear-ended an other car both seperate incedents all thanks to abs brake..i had them on my last car a 94 cavalier....i dont have them on my saturn but i traded one evil for an other...abs for air bags

If ABS caused you to drive through a stop sign, or rear end a car, you should learn to drive. ABS and threshold breaking are almost the same distance.

[cormor]

For some reason I rather drive a non-abs car than an abs car. Just because of the feel of the breaking, and I dont like the feeling of holding down the break and not skidding.

[ProDarwin]

You can skid very easily with ABS. It is just very bouncy.

[Beautiful VUE]

I've always driven vehicles with ABS. My parents have always made me aware of their importance (if for no other reason than my parents peace of mind). I also get a pretty good discount on my insurance for having them. So, when I was picking features that I wanted for my Vue - I insisted on them. Evidently they aren't often paired with AWD models that are going to be sold in the south because they had to have it brought in from another dealership and it was the only one in a 100 mile radius.

[100KSW2]

After driving my wagon with ABS and traction control for the past 10 years I wouldn't own a car without both. They have saved me way too many times to keep track of, in rain, snow, ice, wet leaves. One of the major accidents I escaped due to them was a multiple car pileup in a blizzard (around 10 cars). I stood on the brakes and horn and steered around the pile. So, even in deep snow they can help you avoid an accident by maintaining control of steering. I have experienced the longer stopping distances in snow on at least one occasion, but that is something I'm prepared to live with. Most folks around here don't slow down EVER, for anything (rain, darkness, snow, ice). Wet pavement will significantly lengthen your stopping distance, ABS or not.

I figure it this way: just one avoided accident pays for the ABS/TC on a Saturn, by saving your insurance deductable, let alone the rest of the agony that goes with it.

Hey DesertPuma, doesn't it rain in Phoenix? I can't imagine most folks would get very good at foul weather driving (ala LA).

[94sc293sl1]

Both my Sattys have ABS/TC. I haven't used ABS much at all, but the extra bit of security makes it worth it. I use the TC much more, especially on the SC2.

[eRic 02sc2]

with ABS you can't do this:
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/547/306page24.jpg

[r_o__]

Originally posted by ProDarwin
If ABS caused you to drive through a stop sign, or rear end a car, you should learn to drive. ABS and threshold breaking are almost the same distance.



no offence but if you'd know how to drive you would'nt need abs...you just have to know how hard you can hit the brakes...be one with your car.lol........and all this was done in the summer on pavement.clean roads

[piney]

Originally posted by eRic 96sc2
with ABS you can't do this:
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/547/306page24.jpg

You sure can - just yack on the emergency brake's handle and it'll work!!

[WinterRide]

Originally posted by r_o__
no offence but if you'd know how to drive you would'nt need abs...you just have to know how hard you can hit the brakes...be one with your car.lol........and all this was done in the summer on pavement.clean roads

You can't threshold brake each wheel independantly no matter how good of a driver you are. You end up doing somthing like the picture above. Personally in an autocross I would prefer not to worry about how close I am to tire lock-up and focus on a proper line and exit. One less thing for me to pay attention to. Beacause I wouldn't concider myself a world class dirver on the track I need any advantage I can get. Though I don't really believe ABS is meant for racing, it's main purpose is to give you better control of your vehicle on unpredictible road surfaces.

Also the mass puplic really doesn't know how to drive. How many times have you seen an accident that involved a car screeching it's tires right before it plowed into somthing. Tha person needed ABS because they have no idea how to stop a non-ABS car.

[busguy847]

My 2002 L100 has ABS/TC and I will not buy another car without these features. Shame on GM for making them optional equipment!

P.S. To DesertPuma, I am glad that you are an extremely careful driver and I am also glad that you live in Arizona. That is far enough away for me to feel relatively safe from a driver with his head waaay too far up his ass.

[DesertPuma]

Originally posted by busguy847
My 2002 L100 has ABS/TC and I will not buy another car without these features. Shame on GM for making them optional equipment!

P.S. To DesertPuma, I am glad that you are an extremely careful driver and I am also glad that you live in Arizona. That is far enough away for me to feel relatively safe from a driver with his head waaay too far up his ass.

I look at it this way:

If you don't put yourself in a position where you would need ABS, the you won't need ABS. I tend to follow some simple rules:

There is the 10 second rule (when it's raining that becomes 20 seconds or more, depending on severity)

Not only am I aware of the driver in front of me, I am also aware of the driver in front of that driver. even more so. Anything THAT driver does is going to cause the driver directly in front to have to react. That gives me more time.

Just be aware and drive defensively. Aggressive drivers cause accidents.

As I have said before I have never been in a position where I have needed them, ever. The most recent "accident" I have been in involved someone "love tapping" me from the rear (it was pretty good thump. luckily no damage). How would ABS help me there?

Someone else mentioned rain. Yes it does rain here, but the drainage here is excellent, so after the rain has gone the roads dry fairly quickly. A big difference between rain and snow is obviously snow hangs around much longer.

BTW. There's no need to be insulting.

[sarcasmkid13]

It is a fact that all people think they are better drivers than they are. Situational awareness is wonderful, but it will not save you from terrible drivers and unexpected situations.

[DesertPuma]

Exactly:

That's why I

- Assume everyone else is an idiot (whether they are or not)
- Expect the unexpected (cause you never know)

[Hiddenlites]

I've got abs on my SC2 and my S-10. I almost got wiped out by a Lexus when I was driving the SC2 last week when it attempted to change from it's stopped lanes to my lane where traffic was moving at 45 mph. The abs kicked on. If the wheels had locked up, I wouldn't have been able to swerve around the moron driver.

There's been a couple of other times when I needed to make quick stops in both my vehicles. The abs activated in these situations also, but I don't think that it was absolutely necessary.

I find at time the abs on my S-10 can be annoying. The system tends to activate if I hit a good bump in the pavement while making an ordinary stop. But this is a Saturn forum, and I'm going to stick to that.

One thing I noticed with my abs system on my '93 SC2 is that the abs warning light illuminates (does not flash) if I exceed 80mph. It will remain on until I shut the car off. It will stay off until the next time I exceed 80 mph. Has anyone else experienced this?

My quick solution to the problem is to drive 79mph. 80 is too fast in most cases anyway.

[silverplum]

I would never have considered ABS as an option. Now that I have them as a standard feature on the 2002 models, I would never buy a car without ABS.

I love the traction control.

[Bill-kaz-jr]

Originally posted by DesertPuma
I look at it this way:


Not only am I aware of the driver in front of me, I am also aware of the driver in front of that driver. even more so. Anything THAT driver does is going to cause the driver directly in front to have to react. That gives me more time.



I agree. In freeway traffic, I'm looking at the second or third car's tailights.

[FrozenPilot]

There are benefits and disadvantages to both systems. Know how to properly use them and one isn't better than the other. I completed a 360 spin while trying to avoid some idiot in a Grand Prix without hitting a thing because I didn't have ABS. When the car was completely lost to saving it from spinning I just locked the brakes and went for the ride. Went and bought a new set of tires after I got my tax rebate (still had OE rears... damn previous owner!). With ABS I would have spun into the curb for sure. Another situation with a deer I was able to slow down a lot before I hit it... thats when the system has its benes, panic braking!

[daughter_of_bea]

yes :D

[silverplum]

A car coming from my right tonight skidded on a wet road while trying to stop for a red light. The result was a 360. Obviously he had no ABS.

[spankie]

1 DOES&1 DOES'T

[oldgoat]

I only have driven one car with ABS and I was impressed with the difference it made in the stopping and control on ice and snow. In fact I almost didn't buy the 97 Saturn the other day because it didn't have ABS. I believe that for young or for that matter even older drivers it gives them an extra benefit or edge. It won't overcome stupidity, but it can help to increase your odds of maintaining control of your car while stopping. I am OK with driving without ABS since that is basically all I have ever driven with, but as I grow older I consider the option of ABS more important since my reflexes and vision aren't like they were 30 some years ago.

[eric02SC2]

Yes, and Antilock Brakes should be standard equipment at least in areas where it snows even just once per year!

Eric & Genieve
http://www.GEMS-Family.net
http://www.GEMS-Family.net/WeightLoss

[Old Bob]

No. My '96 SW2 doesn't but I have driven other cars with it and think it's a very good idea.

[Powerarranger]

No ABS in my '97 SL2. I think it would have come in handy last year when I rear-ended a Crown Vic in a pileup that happened when some idiot cut across three lanes of traffic to make a left turn. It was raining, and I was on an oil slick from an accident that had occurred there probably earlier that day. No amount of pumping or modulating helped - when the wheels let go, it was all over. Very embarrassing. :(

My car was driveable, but the insurance co. totalled it anyway. I bought it back, fixed it up, and it's still going strong at 135K! :D

My only experience with ABS is on a fleet of MCI motorcoaches that I drive part time. I decided to test it one rainy day on the skid pad near the motor pool. It's pretty cool - mash on the pedal as hard as you can and let the computer modulate the brakes for you. The bus shuddered like crazy and the air pressure went way south, but I was able to steer and came to a stop in a surprisingly short distance, probably shorter than if I was controlling the brakes myself.

No, there were no passengers on board! :D

I think that ABS would have helped me avoid hitting that Crown Vic, though I'd need to get used to holding the brake pedal down. If it's offered on my next car, I'll take it.

[ChgoBlues]

Sorry I missed this poll. Yes, all except my 98 SL2 have had ABS. Won't buy unless it has it but couldnt pass up the 98 and needed cheap wheels.

[delturcious]

Yup. My 1995 SC2 gets a LOT of use out of them every winter in St. Louis.

[micah_sl2]

no, but my old one did

[beachkeefes]

No, but my old Explorer did & I'm sorry my Vue doesn't.

[ym42]

My car does have ABS, though two two previous did not. I strongly recommend this option for all kind of reasons. Every time I had control issues with other cars (while braking) I regretted not having ABS.

[WVSL2]

No my 96 SL2 doesn't. I'm glad it doesn't have them. More expensive to repair if ABS acts up.

[SW1Man]

I sold Saturns proudly for 10 years and have purchased only one myself in 1993, a 1994 SW1 stick shift with about 159,000 care-free miles on it. I plan to drive from California to Springhill for the June 27 event. YES, mine has ABS and I would not buy a car without ABS. The factory set up a test track in Springhill when I first visited as a Consultant-trainee and we drove and STOPPED the heck out of Saturns with and without ABS. I was convinced and being in California, no snow, etc. have only needed it two or 3 times in emergency situations. Love it. See ya in Tennessee!

[PAGuy77]

My 2003 Ion came with TC/ABS as a factory option. It has helped me on numerous occasions. Any vehicles I buy after my Ion, will have at least ABS standard. :)

[01SC1blue]

no it doesnt and im happy
but even without abs saturns can still lose control easy cuz they're too light
a truck cut me off on the highway on an over pass, fish tailed (car always swerves left while braking) narrowly missing on ditch, doin 360's at 100km/h and on the opposite side shoulder after the merge what a ride

[ym42]

01SC1blue - If your car car "always swerves left while braking" you need to have it serviced ASAP. Your right brakes ( or all of them ) are failing!

[01SC1blue]

my front brakes were all just replaced and my rears were just checked and apparently fine it only pulls while breaking hard and iunno my cars weird

[Sky King]

Nope, and I don't want it. Large commercial aircraft have had this since the mid-50's, it is called anti-skid. It is a simple concept and theory but involves a lot of monkey motion to make it work on cars and airplanes. IMOH all it does in increase the cost of maintenance. I just replaced the front hub assemblies on my daughters GMC Jimmy. Because of the speed sensor in the hub, it jacked the price to almost $150.00 each from NAPA and they give our company employees a discount. Compare a master cylinder for the same car, one with ABS and the other without. Hope you are sitting down.

The only thing that ABS gave you on a Saturn that I would want is rear wheel disc brakes.

[r_o__]

i dont really care what you guys say ABS suck, for me anyways. i,ve never had any prevously stated incident, without ABS, i'm not in any way saying i'm the best driver in the world, but i'm doing very well so far without them damn things

[kvngwynth]

:) Yes.

[SaturnVLN]

No! Two of my previous automobiles ('94 Mercury Sable & '97 Ford Windstar) did have ABS. On both, the ABS never worked correctly. The Mercury's were easily activated and the Ford's hardly evr reacted. Maybe the difference in weight had something to do with it. I miss ABS, though. I plan on getting ABS with my next Satty.

'01 SL2
'97 SL1