seifert@ihuxl.UUCP (D.A. Seifert) (07/04/84)
> The other use of electronics in braking systems that has already > been developed (by Mercedes and others) is in anti-lock systems which > automatically prevent wheel lock-up during panic braking, regardless of > road and weather conditions. These use rotation sensors on each wheel, > and limit additional brake fluid to any wheel that is rotating appreciably > slower than the other wheels. This system was available on some higher > priced Mercedes as an option, and works very well. You can slam on the > brakes in a turn on a snowy road, and the car will slow down as fast as > possible without sliding. > > Bob Schleicher I believe most or all of the serious manufacturers have anti-lock brake systems available in europe. And from what I've read, yes, they work quite well. I would be careful about slamming on the brakes in a corner, though. Trailing throttle oversteer is not dependant upon brake lockup. bbbeeeeeeppp! flame warning! put on those Nomex(tm?) suits! bbbeeeeeeppp! So why aren't these nice anti-lock braking systems available in the US? Do they not work? no, they work fine Are they unreliable? no Are they too expensive? as opposed to airbags? as opposed to hospital bills? as opposed to replacing your car? Give me a break! (they don't have to be 'required', you know. And they've already been developed. Raising the number built would probably make them cheaper.) why then? why? because of the screwed up legal system in the US, that's why! America is lawsuit happy. Americans sue each other and sue companies at the drop of a hat. The manufacturers are scared to death of major lawsuits if anything should happen to a car with anti-lock brakes. It's "different", after all, and it's supposed to magically prevent accidents. If it doesn't, it must be defective, so let's sue the company that sold it to poor little old me. And the jury will go along. (as in the racing tire failure, and the drunk driver who crashed a Porsche 930) WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS??? <flame off> -- _____ /_____\ Beam me up, Woodstock, there's no /_______\ intelligent life here! |___| Snoopy ____|___|_____ ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert