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ABS defeat

Evan wrote:
< On my car, all I have to do is put in a defective ABS relay, and I can
"switch" between ABS and no-ABS. >  

    Easier yet is to just pull apart any of the ABS sensor connectors.  (The
front ones are in the engine compartment, location varies by year and model.
 Just follow the sensor wire from the front caliper thru the wheel arch.)
 This shuts down the system and turns on the dash warning light, thereby
reminding you to reconnect when you've regained your senses :-)   I've heard
of people installing on/off switches, but I wonder if the system might be
adversely affected by the increased resistance from the switch wiring.  Some
mfgrs do it, but such wiring is taken into account in the design.
    Seriously, though, about the only reason I can see for disconnecting is
for learning what threshhold braking feels like, or testing, ie, diagnosing
front/rear or left/right imbalance, "grabby" brakes, etc, or maybe just to
have fun flat-spotting dead tires you'll be replacing anyway.  I can't think
of any street situation in which I would *want* any lockup.  If you want/need
to lock the rears, there's always the handbrake.
    Ira does make a good point for thinking ahead in one's driving, to
anticipate as much as possible, and leave enough room ahead of you.  However,
comma, anyone who's driven in urban or suburban environments knows that
leaving "enough" room ahead is just an invitation for someone to change lanes
in front of you, cutting down your following distance, and invariably they're
vison-blocking vehicles.  You back off, the next one does it, etc, until
you're standing still and blocking traffic.  They cut down one margin of
safety; ABS *helps* regain some of it.  I don't advocate tailgating, it's
just one of those things.  (I loved Evan's comment about being psychic!)
    ABS isn't a substitute for brains or defensive (or whatever you want to
call it) driving, just a "safety net" that has no effect whatsoever on brake
feel or actuation until one locks up.

Gary T
'87 535i,  '88 325is
I've worked out my ABS-- now for the rest of me!