Date:         Tue, 11 Nov 1997 15:23:06 EST
Reply-To:     Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@WWW.MWC.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@WWW.MWC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: WINTER DRIVING
Comments: To: len alcamo <alcamoz@mwt.net>
In-Reply-To:  <01bceedd$8baec0c0$764a2e9c@708661617>; from "len alcamo" at Nov
              11, 97 2:08 pm

>
> Sean, I'm not in complete agreement on this point. Although  slow steady
> pedal pressure will prevent skidding, if you are in a situation when you
> have to stop under control  as quickly as possible, this braking technique
> will not indicate how slippery the conditions are,  or how much pressure you
> can apply without skidding. I use a rapid, short burst pumping style...
> kinda like human ABS... and believe this makes for significantly shorter
> stopping distances while still maintaining control.  There are times when
> defensive driving is not the whole solution.  IMHO  :-)

Len,
Of course you are right.  If you've gotta stop now, use Len's pseudo-ABS
technique.  In fact, this was recommended before the advent of ABS
brakes.  However, if you have ABS brakes, NEVER EVER do this!!!  You
defeat the whole point of ABS brakes if you pump the pedal yourself.

Of course on ice, you wanna be careful about the size of your bursts as
you can lock the wheels easily, which leads to loss of steering control.
But with practice you can develop a feel for how much you can push the
brake without locking the wheels and also how hard and fast to push the
pedal when using the pump technique.

Len is right about defensive driving not always being the whole
solution.  I've never been in a situation on snow where I had to stop
right now, so I've used the slow 'n easy method :-) .  If I had to stop
fairly suddenly, I'd pump the brakes.

Sean


>
> Len
> '78 Westy
> wannaEver
>
>
>
>


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