tire skidding problems - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ara T. · #16 05-18-2008, 12:33 AM

How old are your tires. Like someone else mentioned you need some practice braking in the wet. The MB brakes are fairly powerful and can be easy to lock up but at least they aren't overboosted like some American and Japanese cars I've driven.

DieselGrrl · #17 05-18-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

Hey, if you say that again, were fighting.

bring it on!! GRRRR
well im just trying to be a more paranoid driver...as if im not paranoid enough

they need to make rain tires in whitewalls, then i'd be good.

Hatterasguy · #18 05-18-2008, 11:36 PM

My W126 has hand of God brakes and any MB with a working braking system should as well. I remember a few years back when I was riding in an S430 I got thrown into the dash because I took my seatbelt off to get my wallet and some DB pulled out in front of us. Damn that S430 had amazing brakes, and with ABC the body was always perfectly level. If you can put your unbelted pasangers into the dash or windsheild your brakes arn't working right.

My car came with little 195 tires stock and the brakes can lock those up like nothing. Put some wider tires on and get some meat on the road and you will be able to stop faster. I have 225's in the front and 245's in the rear and that's pretty good the ABS doesn't kick on nearly as soon.

It sounds like you need more practice driving a none ABS car. Go to a parking lot and practice controlling a skid. You need to feel when you are at the limit and learn how to pump the pedal. I never did because my cars have always had ABS which is about the only traction aid I like. No matter how much I played with it I could never get my SD to stop as well as the SDL.

Skippy · #19 05-19-2008, 01:12 AM

Two possiblities:

1. Get good tires, make sure your non-ABS brake system is working properly, and practice your threshold braking.

2. Get good tires, and put them on an ABS car.

Bio300TDTdriver · #20 05-19-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Two possiblities:

1. Get good tires, make sure your non-ABS brake system is working properly, and practice your threshold braking.

2. Get good tires, and put them on an ABS car.

3. Lower the deductible on your insurance and keep an extra car around.

t walgamuth · #21 05-19-2008, 06:22 AM

those new michelin whitewalls should help a lot.

Tom W

Phil · #22 05-19-2008, 10:36 AM

As others have said practice. Find a big parking lot and when it rains go there and try different things when stopping. First if possible mark a start braking spot with something so you have a reference point then get up to speed and hit the brakes hard and mark how far it took to stop then try different methods and figure out what stops you in the shortest distance.

Chad300tdt · #23 05-19-2008, 11:01 AM

I upgraded my w123 brakes with first generation w126 brakes. I get the benefit of vented front rotors with this (no more brake fade). I believe you could use the calipers, rotors, booster, MC and spindles off a second generation w126. This will give you even larger calipers, vented rotors, and ABS.

I just drive differently in the w123 ... like others have already mentioned, I wont mash the pedal for a quick stop like I would in our Acura with ABS.

WD8CDH · #24 05-19-2008, 05:05 PM

A stuck caliper can cause the other wheels to skid easily. Check the whole system especially for even wear of the pads on both sides.

babymog · #25 05-20-2008, 07:14 PM

If this improves your braking, you have a serious brake balance/maintenance issue.

Normally, the fastest/best-balanced braking is from the brake pedal, and downshifting at the same time w/o ABS can cause the rear to lose traction. Bad idea IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Actros617

if you want to slow down fast i would suggest to pull down your gear form D to S and/or to L gear sector, and use your brakes at moderate pressure at the same time, this will make you slow down faster...

i hope this help

minimike1 · #26 05-20-2008, 08:42 PM

If you need to do a panic stop, downshifting an automatic isn't going to help you. If you lock up the brakes, the weight of the car will pull the tires skidding until you stop. No matter what. In a panic, you can't very well pump the brakes unless you're well practiced, but if there's another car or person in front of your car, all you can do is put the pedal to the floor. Don't drive with 2 feet. Easy to forget to take ya foot off the accellerator.

Hatterasguy · #27 05-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Downshifting would be horrible, it your rear could lock up if you don't have ABS.

MB's come from the factory with hand of God brakes, if your car's brakes cannot be described as such than they need work.

I prefer ABS, the computer can pulse the brakes a lot faster than any human can.

MBeige · #28 05-21-2008, 12:05 AM

You have to ensure that the tire tread depth is 3mm or more. There was an episode of Fifth Gear that showed the legal tread depth may still not be safe, and recommended 3mm as the minimum advisable legal tread depth.

Also check if your speedometer is off. That 27mph may actually be faster.

DieselGrrl · #29 05-21-2008, 08:03 PM

does ABS help if your car is hydroplaning? how frequently does hydroplaning actually happen, in your experience?? this whole thing has made me extremely paranoid to drive in the rain. my brakes are hand of God, as long as the road is dry...i havent tried to push the envelope any further on slick roads.

BoomInTheTrunk · #30 05-21-2008, 08:13 PM

as long as you have decent tread depth than your probability to hydroplane is much lower. If you ever do hydroplane dont touch your brakes it will make it worse just let off the gas and coast until you get traction back.