2002 Protege 5 ABS (Canada)

[DragonMike]

Hi all.

I bought a Protege5 2002, 3 months ago, and it's a great car... nice shift, nice suspension, nice ride..easy on gas (if you want.. i've got 25 mpg ...once lol)

I've been reading here that all Protege5's in Canada were equiped with ABS. however.. 1 week ago...we had some snow, when i hit the brakes.. it was like skating!!! brrrrr.. a "little" scary.... lucky me it was just in front of my garage when i was coming back home.

Does anyone know why the ABS wouldn't work? or what do i have to check? (in addition to the fuse....)

The ABS light turns on just for a sec when i turn on the car and then it goes off... so i don't know what to check...

Thanks!!

 

[hellcat]

I have't driven my 2002 P5 on ice yet, so I don't know how ABS would react on it. However, you know when it kicks on, due to the brake pedal vibrating like crazy. I hope that will help you out a little. You will feel it if you go about 35 mph and jam on the brakes on a dry surface. This may tell you if it is working or not.

 

[midrange]

a way to check ABS on dry area so its safe.. in a straight line get a bit of speed and slam on the brakes.. it should not lock up, your'll hear a weird noise like an almost grinding clutter noise, as well as mentioned about, the brake peddle will feel weird.. it will feel like your not getting proper braking but the car will be stopping.. personally, i hate ABS.. I like to be in control at all times.. but its suppost to be safer....

 

[MyZmZm]

^and see, i love ABS. it's saved my ass many a time when regular brakes wouldn't have. i'm very glad it was standard on all the Canadian P5's (personally).

to answer your question... when you turn on the car, the ABS light will come on for a moment and then go off, so that's normal. and like the others have said, when it does kick in, you should hear the grinding/clutter noise and should feel the brake pedal vibrating. if you get none of that when you test it out (safely, and on a dry surface i hope), then there might be something wrong with your ABS... but if I'm not mistaken, if that were the case the ABS light should be on constantly to let you know there is a problem. you may want to get them to check it out, just to be safe.

 

[Newbie]

I don't know much about ABS and the like, but i DO know about driving in Canada, and when I first got my P5, ABS or not, i was skateing around in winter too. I put a set of Winter tires on and haven't looked back. The dealer tires are CRAP and do nothing in the winter. Switch em and see if you're still skateing.

 

[JT87]

Mine has ABS . Last friday my ABS system was working like a maniac..the roads were very slippery. ABS with great snow/ice tyres ...