Deactivating your ABS / VSA in the snow

[06RockHead]

Hi guys hope January is finishing up well for everyone. But anyways, now I'm not sure how many of us on here drive frequently in the snow I personally do very often on  paved roads that don't receive treatment, ( they usally get plowed after the snow quits, an then receive no salt). I ve developed a very fond HATE of the ABS / VSA system on the car due to the lack of control and ability to make the car stop. So I gladly pulled the fuse. HUGE improvement! So I have some questions is it ok to do this to the system? Are there any adverse effects on the car ? An does anyone else do this ?

[timot_one]

You may crash. I don't think it will hurt anything. Just be careful. ABS is supposed to help you stop better, but I've found that its extremely touchy on our cars. I wish there was a way to dial it down a bit.

[gargantula99]

I've moved this topic to here, since I don't really think it belongs in the Lounge area. 

Ben, to deactivate the VSA it's as simple as pushing the button that's on the left side of the dashboard.  As for deactivating the ABS, like Tim said, I'm not sure that you'll mess anything up, but, I wouldn't exactly pull the fuse.  Just because your tires are locking up, doesn't mean they're not skidding on the snow or ice.

[06RockHead]

Ya I'm pretty good with everything turned off just have to watch the speedo to see the skid. I was wondering about the effects this would have on the EBD but it seems that it just biases it to max rear power, which is fine by me I have yet for the rear to come around when braking in a stright line.  The snow tires I have gain maximum tractive force at about 60% wheel slip according to tire rack an it seems to hold true. So no ABS allows me to achieve this. As for the VSA button I should just tape that down. I was just worried about messing the computer up.

[timot_one]

The front and rear bias is not adjusted in the abs module.  There is a proportioning valve thats totally separate from your abs module.  You should be able to feel if your wheels lock up or not, and not have to look at the speedo to figure it out.  If you're sliding in the snow, then that's not a good way to stop.  The point is to not slide and maintain control.  Whether you decide to do it manually, or have the abs do it for you is up to you.  Like I mentioned before, be careful.  What you seem to be doing doesn't sound too safe because of the way that you're driving, not because you've disabled the abs/vsa.

[06RockHead]

well so far ive been much more sucessful with regulating braking manually, because like you said its very touchy, touchy to the point where it doesnt allow any braking force to be applied. As for my driving yes I move it in the snow always have, mostly becuse its all country roads and hills. 

[timot_one]

Good luck with that then.

[gargantula99]

Snow, ice, no ABS, winding hills, and speed. Sounds like a great combination there.

[06RockHead]

you guys hatin on me   

[CYANiDE]

Honestly, I would wire it to a switch so that you can easily turn it on while you're driving. Sounds like a recipe for disaster lol.

[ikethegreat]

you guys hatin on me   

Just trying to discourage stupid behavior so you don't kill yourself or worse, someone else. 

[booley]

when the roads are really crappy, i always turn my VSA off. i find it is the only way i can actually get anywhere. i really don't like the way the VSA limits the engine to supposedly give you more traction.
as for ABS, i would rather have all the help i can get when trying to stop in slippery conditions...

[Mike]

when the roads are really crappy, i always turn my VSA off. i find it is the only way i can actually get anywhere. i really don't like the way the VSA limits the engine to supposedly give you more traction.
as for ABS, i would rather have all the help i can get when trying to stop in slippery conditions...

I agree non vsa. I end up stuck because of it