abs system?

Question

is it illegal to disconnect your abs system on your car and go to manual

Answer 1

No it's not illegal but any modification does need to be notified to insurers.

Answer 2

This is an interesting question.

Under the "Construction and use" regulations, a motor-vehicle must be kept in full and safe working order. Thus, if the ABS is not working, or is faulty, it would not pass an MOT test when fitted.

Because the manufacturer's specification is taken as the standard, disconnecting the ABS would render the vehicle as being not fully operational, and therefore illegal.

However, if a car does not have ABS as standard fitment, then that is perfectly legal.

There is a further consideration concerning insurance, because disabling an ABS system is a "modification" which must be notified to the insurers. They would then claim that you were using a vehicle illegally.

If an accident ensues and the ABS is disconnected, then the insurers could refuse to pay out; esepcially if the lack of ABS could be considered a factor in the events of the accident.

I personally hate ABS brakes, which can do nothing that advanced driving techniques cannot achieve quite safely.

Long before ABS brakes, there was a technique called "cadence braking", which locks and unlocks the wheels rapidly;(by pumping and releasing the brakes in a series of pulses) much the same as ABS systems do if you watch them in slow-motion.

Rally drivers from Scandanavia, familiar with snow-driving, use an even more advanced technique, where the left foot is placed on the brake and the right foot on the accelerator; thus enabling the braking and acceleration to mirror the actions of both anti-lock brakes and traction-control in one, by balancing braking effort against acceleration.

The latter technique takes time to learn; especially in older cars, where clutchless gear-changes had to be mastered in the days before electronically-controlled clutches.

Of course, the quickest way to stop a car is to spin it around on the handbrake, if there's enough space to do it safely and if you can get the car pointing in a straight-line to start with. Anything over 60mph, and you would go through 360 degrees....you have been warned! (It's safer than it sounds, because skids always happen in straight lines)

It's more effective than heavy braking, because centrifugal force throws the energy of the car outwards. It is a last resort; usually on snow or ice, where an accident is inevitable otherwise.

Don't try it out unless you can think of a huge, deserted car-park in the middle of the night!

Answer 3

No it is your car do what you want. Besides lots of cars running with the ABS light on. System not working. Here comes the word of warning. Stomp stay steer has saved many life's. Why would you want to skid and loose control. While doing a braking steering action to avoid a collision ABS keeps the wheels from lock up? Most ABS systems act only two or three times a year.

Answer 4

No

Some Audis around the late 80s early 90s had an ABS btton that would disable ABS if you wanted.

The theory was that because ABS is a bit of a hinderance on snow, the driver should have the ability to switch it off. They've since dropped the idea, although its still a hinderance on snow!

Answer 5

Yes it is.

The UK Construction regulations state "Every part of every braking system shall be maintained in a good and efficient working order" (thereabouts). You cannot disable it AT ALL.

You would be liable to at least 3 penalty points, you will have less effective brakes (modern ABS systems will stop your vehicle in a slightly shorter distance than non ABS - in a straight line - and allows you to brake and steer at the same time - this actually extends you stopping distance, but might get you out of trouble.

Non ABS vehicles have a brake apportioning valve - this prevents the rear wheels locking before the fronts, ABS vehicle don't need this as they don't lock. Disable the ABS and you might lock the rears first and go out of control.

So no, leave it connected!!!!

Answer 6

yes it legal, abs is one of the worst things ever put on a car. People don't realize how much it cost to repair abs

Answer 7

no
but would you throw out your fire alarms because the battery went dead ?
disabling the abs system will convert you back to standard type brakes
they will still work

Answer 8

why you want to disconnect your abs

Answer 9

No it's not illegal. But why would you want to?