[AMILL]

You know when you drive in the winter, hit a patch of ice and the brakes pulsate so you don't slide off the road? I believe that's the traction control working?
I've noticed if I go over a rough patch of road and I have to put on my brakes the traction control also reacts just like it was a patch of ice. Should I turn that off for summer driving? It's very annoying.

 

[rnlabas]

You know when you drive in the winter, hit a patch of ice and the brakes pulsate so you don't slide off the road? I believe that's the traction control working?
I've noticed if I go over a rough patch of road and I have to put on my brakes the traction control also reacts just like it was a patch of ice. Should I turn that off for summer driving? It's very annoying.

NOT usually would I turn this off. It's working for EXACTLY the same reasons on loose sand/gravel/water that it would on ice. It's NOT and ICE thing, It's a TRACTION thing. It works ALL the time on ANY surface that the car would otherwise LOOSE TRACTION.

My guess is that in the "annoying" times you've felt it kick in during ANY time - if you had had it off, you'd be exercising your arms and feet A LOT more to remain in control than you are now - and maybe wouldn't be able to regain control. The fact that you're feeling it work is telling you to thank someone for it's working - look back at where you just drove or how fast you drove there to see why - not just motor on thinking how annoying it was.

IF there were NO such surface/speed issues where/when this happened - THEN I would visit the dealer to have them check out the system to be sure it is working correctly. While not very likely, you could have a defect in the system too ...

just my 2¢

 

[rnlabas]

oh, and your ABS (anti-locking BRAKE system) is an entirely DIFFERENT system while sharing some components. The ABS works only on the brakes, while the Traction Control works on the brakes AND the throttle, and in a different way. The ABS pulsates any brake/wheel that is locking because of lack of friction, and allows it to grab, roll, grab, roll - this could be any one or all four brake/wheels. It is intended to allow you steering control (a rolling wheel/tire) while braking to the maximum available friction possible for BRAKING. In days of old WE were told to learn to "pump" the brakes under these conditions to achieve a similar effect. Computers are faster than us.

For the Traction Control (TC), the system works similarly but differently in order to provide you optimum TRACTION. It will pulse the brake/wheel that is loosing traction (that could otherwise cause you to loose control) while adjusting throttle at the same time, to provide optimum available friction for TRACTION not braking.

In either case the ABS component for the brakes or the TC "feels" the same - a pulsating brake pedal and slight shudder in the car.

 

[PuroMexicano]

If you feel the pulsation/vibration ONLY when you are braking, it is the ABS system not the TC

 

[Arabay]

TC won't pulsate. If you're engaging traction control accelerating it will feel like the car has died/lost power. Although I do have to ask, how hard are you braking over these 'rough patches' of road to engage ABS?

You could turn TC off for the summer and the winter if you really wanted to. In winter it certainly makes things more lively. ABS is impossible to turn off as its a federal regulation.

 

[Quatto]

If you feel the pulsation/vibration ONLY when you are braking, it is the ABS system not the TC

Correct, as goes with all, if not, most vehicles with ABS.

 

[Otto]

The ABS only really kicks in when you are braking so hard that the wheels could just lock and stop spinning, instead of slowing down. Without ABS you have to "pump" the brakes instead of just slamming them. I find it strange that you would be hitting the brakes so hard on a somewhat regular basis.

 

[BobInPa]

The ABS only really kicks in when you are braking so hard that the wheels could just lock and stop spinning, instead of slowing down. Without ABS you have to "pump" the brakes instead of just slamming them. I find it strange that you would be hitting the brakes so hard on a somewhat regular basis.

There is a downhill asphalt road that I use at least once a week that is so badly rippled for at least 200 feet that it is virtually impossible to come to a stop from any speed without ABS kicking in. This excessive rippling is probably the result of dairy tanker trucks locking up their brakes in an attempt to stop for quick changing traffic light at the intersection. Asphalt/Blacktop roads are the rule in Pennsylvania so this kind of road surface rippling isn’t unheard of.

 

[Quatto]

There is a downhill asphalt road that I use at least once a week that is so badly rippled for at least 200 feet that it is virtually impossible to come to a stop from any speed without ABS kicking in. This excessive rippling is probably the result of dairy tanker trucks locking up their brakes in an attempt to stop for quick changing traffic light at the intersection. Asphalt/Blacktop roads are the rule in Pennsylvania so this kind of road surface rippling isn’t unheard of.

I hate those roads, they're the worst and having to break on one of those takes a toll on your suspension, just that much more force.

 

[AMILL]

The breaking I experience sounds lie the ABS. Seems like if the road is broken up or theres lots of gravel on the road when I stop the breaks pulse just like if I was trying to stop on ice. Never experienced it in my bmw with the ABS brakes.
Just didn't seem normal for summer driving... Think I should have them checked?

 

[rnlabas]

Maybe, but I doubt it. ABS works when you apply the brakes and they would lock up if there's not enough friction. It does NOT matter whether it's ice, snow, mud, sand, winter, summer or anything other than lack of grip for the brakes. When the ABS senses this, it works. You might ask the dealer about sensitivity but unless you feel the car being unbalanced by the brakes, I highly doubt you have an issue other than a slippery surface. ABS has nothing to do with winter-only driving. It's like asking listen, do you smell something?

 

[PuroMexicano]

I also feel that ABS engaging is very sensitive
.

I will talk to my dealer about it next service in 2,000 miles

 

[Quatto]

Maybe, but I doubt it. ABS works when you apply the brakes and they would lock up if there's not enough friction. It does NOT matter whether it's ice, snow, mud, sand, winter, summer or anything other than lack of grip for the brakes. When the ABS senses this, it works. You might ask the dealer about sensitivity but unless you feel the car being unbalanced by the brakes, I highly doubt you have an issue other than a slippery surface. ABS has nothing to do with winter-only driving. It's like asking listen, do you smell something?

This is true.

Using the ABS system in various conditions you'll see how consistent it is in its engagement, only difference is how your vehicle acts, like in snowy conditions you might be sliding while braking with ABS kicking in... still doing its job. All about getting a feel for the brake.

 

[rebop]

Seems like an appropriate topic to ask this question:

2016 Q3 Prestige.

Had the occasion to short stop yesterday. In my past experiences, ABS does not allow the brakes to lockup. But these did. No pulsing, just hard grab and the sound and feel of grinding metal, but I could not tell if just one wheel or more. Happened so quick.

What do you think? Normal or an issue?

~Bob

 

[BobInPa]

What do you think? Normal or an issue?

~Bob

It doesn't seem normal.
And sounds similar to this:
http://www.audiq3forum.com/forum/45...6250-metal-metal-sound-right-front-wheel.html

 

[rebop]

Thanks Bob.

This was only for the brief second that I applied panic braking. I expected pulsing from ABS but got total lockup. But not sure if my expectations were right.

 

[rebop]

This is interesting:

http://repairpal.com/understanding-your-abs-system

What Will I Feel When the ABS Engages?

As a driver, you will feel the brake pedal pumping and a "grinding" mechanical noise as the ABS pump and the valve assembly operates to meter the braking pressure to the affected wheel(s). A screeching noise may be heard from the tires as they skid for very short periods. No warning lights will illuminate during normal ABS operation.

Likely what I heard, but did not expect.

And here:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/equipment/absbrakes.html

[SIZE=3+]Will I notice anything when the ABS is working?
In many vehicles, drivers may experience a rapid pulsation of the brake pedal--almost as if the brakes are pushing back at you. Sometimes the pedal could suddenly drop. Also, the valves in the ABS controller may make a noise that sounds like grinding or buzzing. In some cars you may feel a slight vibration--this means the ABS is working. It is important NOT to take your foot off the brake pedal when you hear noise or feel pulsations, but instead continue to apply firm pressure.

I'm learning something/ Though my 2005 Avant did not act this way.

~Bob

[/SIZE]