ABS Question

jcoo085 · 01-13-2006, 03:10 PM

I noticed this yesterday and today on the small street to access my garage. First a little description. The access to my garage is on a very small/short dead-end street with a shallow downhill incline so the snow hasn't been cleared by traffic and now with the low temperatures it's extremely icy. Icy to the point that yesterday night I had to get out and push a reversing car up the street because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get into the garage and trying to back up in my car is almost impossible (even with DSC in normal mode the tyres still spin and the rear starts to go sideways). I have to either go forwards, or have someone push so it can 'idle reverse' its way up.

Now the query. When I'm driving slowly down the street and I put on the brakes, the ABS doesn't kick in at all (even with hard pedal pressure). Does the ABS disengage at very low speeds, or is it smart enough to recognise very icy surfaces and disengages so that the tyres can 'bite' into the ice?

I also just had the software updated to CIP 20 but I'm not sure if it's related. Either way I'm going to call the dealer on Monday but I just wanted to get everyones thoughts on whether this is normal or not.

vladinecko · 01-13-2006, 03:15 PM

i haven't had a chance to do this in my E90 yet but i know for sure that in my E36 the ABS kicks in even when i go as slow as 1mph.
it's 68 ºF (or 20 ºC) here in pittsburgh today (tomorrow is supposed to be 30 and snowing, nothing unusual for this shitty city) so i'll try it later and let you know...

BMW0 · 01-13-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

...nothing unusual for this shitty city...

E90Fleet · 01-13-2006, 03:49 PM

ABS doesnt work at low speeds or if there is no traction available ( aquaplaning or slyding on ice)

This is tue for all cars with ABS

jcoo085 · 01-13-2006, 03:54 PM

OK, thanks E90Fleet. So there is nothing wrong with my car then? It's acting as it should?

David328M-Sport · 01-15-2006, 11:02 PM

No problem with your car. ABS is generally disabled in the final handful of km/h when coming to a stop in all ABS equipped cars, not just BMWs.

In other words, exactly as E90Fleet mentioned. So no ABS at low speeds.

jcoo085 · 01-16-2006, 05:22 AM

At least there's nothing wrong with my car. But it's making getting into my garage kind of difficult when I can't brake and steer at the same time.

poldim · 01-16-2006, 08:03 AM

Now is ABS supposed to be disabled from starting at slow speeds or should it just be disabled at say 2 mph?

jcoo085 · 01-16-2006, 10:45 AM

I'm not sure what the parametres are, but ABS is working as it should. I tested it today in my garage at work. It seems when you're coasting it's 'off' but I don't know at what speed it turns 'on' again. E90Fleet said it's like that with all ABS cars, but I've never been in a situation where I'm driving on what is pretty much sheet ice, so this was a first.

That still doesn't solve the problem of me getting into my garage. My street has basically turned into an ice-rink and getting in requires some creative manoeuvres.

David328M-Sport · 01-16-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

That still doesn't solve the problem of me getting into my garage. My street has basically turned into an ice-rink and getting in requires some creative manoeuvres.

I know that what I am about to suggest is going to be less than desireable but in an effort to speed up your entry into your garage safely during the cold times I will offer it to you.

What are the chances of buying a flexible but solid rubber flooring cover that you can roll up in your garage and unroll over the entry when you need to get back in again. Maybe the tyres will grip the dry cover and you can access your garage easily.

I have noticed a flooring that is bouncy but very solid and very grippy in a number of playgrounds. It is black and although it is designed to be walked on, it could certainly be driven over as well.

Best I can offer. Hope it helps.

jcoo085 · 01-17-2006, 02:36 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, but it wouldn't really work. It's the street that's the problem. And I should have been a little more specific. It's the gate the leads to the driveway, which then leads to the garage, that's a bit dicy to access. The driveway itself is fine but that's because I used the remainder of my gravel on it (which means I didn't have any left to put on the street and haven't had time to get more).

But it has been raining and washed away all the ice, I've tested the ABS and it's working, so the problem is now solved.

01-13-2006, 03:10 PM	#1
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	ABS Question I noticed this yesterday and today on the small street to access my garage. First a little description. The access to my garage is on a very small/short dead-end street with a shallow downhill incline so the snow hasn't been cleared by traffic and now with the low temperatures it's extremely icy. Icy to the point that yesterday night I had to get out and push a reversing car up the street because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get into the garage and trying to back up in my car is almost impossible (even with DSC in normal mode the tyres still spin and the rear starts to go sideways). I have to either go forwards, or have someone push so it can 'idle reverse' its way up. Now the query. When I'm driving slowly down the street and I put on the brakes, the ABS doesn't kick in at all (even with hard pedal pressure). Does the ABS disengage at very low speeds, or is it smart enough to recognise very icy surfaces and disengages so that the tyres can 'bite' into the ice? I also just had the software updated to CIP 20 but I'm not sure if it's related. Either way I'm going to call the dealer on Monday but I just wanted to get everyones thoughts on whether this is normal or not. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-13-2006, 03:15 PM	#2
vladinecko Brigadier General 281 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	i haven't had a chance to do this in my E90 yet but i know for sure that in my E36 the ABS kicks in even when i go as slow as 1mph. it's 68 ºF (or 20 ºC) here in pittsburgh today (tomorrow is supposed to be 30 and snowing, nothing unusual for this shitty city) so i'll try it later and let you know... __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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01-13-2006, 03:49 PM	#4
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	ABS doesnt work at low speeds or if there is no traction available ( aquaplaning or slyding on ice) This is tue for all cars with ABS __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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01-13-2006, 03:54 PM	#5
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	OK, thanks E90Fleet. So there is nothing wrong with my car then? It's acting as it should? __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-15-2006, 11:02 PM	#6
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	No problem with your car. ABS is generally disabled in the final handful of km/h when coming to a stop in all ABS equipped cars, not just BMWs. In other words, exactly as E90Fleet mentioned. So no ABS at low speeds. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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01-16-2006, 05:22 AM	#7
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	At least there's nothing wrong with my car. But it's making getting into my garage kind of difficult when I can't brake and steer at the same time. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-16-2006, 08:03 AM	#8
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	Now is ABS supposed to be disabled from starting at slow speeds or should it just be disabled at say 2 mph? __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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01-16-2006, 10:45 AM	#9
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	I'm not sure what the parametres are, but ABS is working as it should. I tested it today in my garage at work. It seems when you're coasting it's 'off' but I don't know at what speed it turns 'on' again. E90Fleet said it's like that with all ABS cars, but I've never been in a situation where I'm driving on what is pretty much sheet ice, so this was a first. That still doesn't solve the problem of me getting into my garage. My street has basically turned into an ice-rink and getting in requires some creative manoeuvres. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-17-2006, 02:36 PM	#11
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	Thanks for the suggestion, but it wouldn't really work. It's the street that's the problem. And I should have been a little more specific. It's the gate the leads to the driveway, which then leads to the garage, that's a bit dicy to access. The driveway itself is fine but that's because I used the remainder of my gravel on it (which means I didn't have any left to put on the street and haven't had time to get more). But it has been raining and washed away all the ice, I've tested the ABS and it's working, so the problem is now solved. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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