microcode, compilers, and supercomputer architecture

From: bluoval <bluoval_at_mindspring.com>
Date: Mon Apr 5 16:46:34 1999

Well, since we're on the topic of ABS brakes....
1) ABS has sometimes, in the past, been used in cars and (mostly) trucks only
for the stability of the system and not for the reduced braking distances. Many
vehicles w/ rear-only ABS use it so the rear of the vehicle doesn't fish-tail in
a emergency brake situation. Most manufacturers (if not all) now implement 4
wheel ABS, which significantly reduce braking distances.

2) even if the ABS system fails it still works just like non-ABS brakes. unless
the vacuum (power assisted) system fails or the brake line is cut, or (very
unlikely) the piston sticks open, the brakes will work just fine.

3) w/ a properly functioning ABS system, there is almost no way a person can
'out-brake' it with the same size and type brake system (same number of pistons,
size and compound brake pads, same brake fluid, same size rotors and calipers
ect..) The ABS 'pumps' the brakes at a speed that humans could not possibly
acheive. this is why they are computerized. sure, I can stop a car faster than
any ABS system, and I'm sure you could easily do it too, but not as safe (brick
wall, tree, ect.)

4) if you really want to drive a car w/out ABS *and* make it safer than one w/
ABS, there are a few things you should do besides training ( that's a given, and
about $2K min.). Spend a couple $K to increase all component sizes, get real
sticky pads, get wider sticky tires and pray you don't lock-up. oh, and don't
slam on your brakes in a non-ABS car... *SCREECH*, a couple of 360s and crash.
its happened to me, xcept for the crash...i think i was lucky.

5) You stated below the reasoning of not wanting an ABS equipt car. Here's my
response: There is documentation about the ABS brakes, how do you think
mechanics fix them? Go buy the book. About the failure bit: sure, anything can
fail! the airbags (u want those in your car, right?), the tires (these too?),
headlights (?), seatbelts (!).. i think you see my point. I answered the last
reason above. It is very unlikely that ABS brakes will fail. And the part
about skill.... have you ever watched NASCAR? Highly trained guys there...crash
all the time! F-1 races? there too! NASCAR doesn't allow ABS, and there have
been a few rule changes in KART that i haven't kept up with so i can't comment
about that.

So basically, if you want to be ABSOLUTELY safe don't drive, fly, walk, run with
scissors in you hands, tilt your chair back too far, or even leave the house.
wait tornados... don't leave your basement.

All kidding aside, ABS is probably one of the best safety features in any car.
If you are buying one new or used, don't leave the lot without it. Airbags
too! They react and act faster than you can.


Tony Duell wrote:

> > We don't need to bring moralizing into the discussion. Most of us already
> > relegate a lot of life's decisions, including some life-critical ones, to
> > computers every day.
> >
> > Or are you the kind of person that refuses to buy cars with antilock brake
> > systems?
>
> Well, I don't drive yet, but when I do, I sure as hell won't have a car
> with ABS.
>
> The reasons are that (a) I am not going to trust my life, and the lives
> of others to an undocumented system that could possibly fail, (b) a good
> driver can stop a car in a shorter distance than an ABS system can under
> some conditions and (c) if it does fail you have to use the brakes
> differently than you do with a working ABS system.
>
> No thanks. I'd rather trust my skill (and thus have to learn to do things
> properly) than trust a microprocessor.
>
> >
>
> -tony
Received on Mon Apr 05 1999 - 16:46:34 BST