Gary W Wrote..

l have a 2005 Subaru Outback. The ABS is too sensitive and will trigger going over bumps and snow. l drive other cars with ABS that are not as sensitive. Changing tires, brakes and brake fluid has not helped.
A couple of times, l thought l was going to crash while stopping after hitting a bump in the road. You actually have no brakes for a moment or more. In the winter, unless l press the brakes like there is an egg under my foot, l can slide through a stop sign in the snow.
Anyone else here own a recent Subaru with this issue?
Did you disconnect the ABS?
Please do not respond if you do not own a Subaru.


Gary:

Subaru ABS brakes are dangerous in icy climates.Remove your ABS relay ASAP.You will love your brakes afterwards.I've done this with all of my subaru is (1995 Legacy 2008 Forester, 2008 Outback.Gravel and Icy roads demand some wheel lock for stopping power. Subaru brakes do not lock at all. Pull your ABS relay and you will love your brakes.

l have never driven my subaru in snow condition, but l have blown the transmission ,under warranty, TWICE, and it was not the way l drive

In some Subaru models the abs is really very sensitive. l have putted a cut off switch in an 2000 Impreza l owned and now in a 2008 legacy the ABS is a bit sensitive but works fine. You are not stopping easier in icy roads without ABS. This is wrong. You only stop better without ABS in Snowy roads because of the little snow pile in front of the Tyre.

My 1999 Impreza is ABS rarely comes on and l live in a place thats gets about a foot of snow a month. It only comes on when l am going through the really slippery stuff, so l do not find it annoying!

Usually the AWD/ all wheel disc breaks are enough to stop me!

gary,

Not sure whats going on with your question here.

l would disconnect the ABS all together. Just remember to pump your brakes on loose surfaces. ABS is only good for Tarmac. You can disconnect the fuse or the actual unit in the engine compartment located way up front on the passenger side. Just unplug the wire harness from the unit.


l agree, ABS is unsafe and is really designed for soccer moms on tarmac.

i've heard about this issue but l have never experienced it myself on my '02 WRX wagon. l am using kumho mx tires, brembo sport brake pads.

if this happens to you, release the brake & press again & it should be fine. l believe this happens when u hit a bump & the wheel loses contact with the road, so u need to release the brake to let the ABS 'reset' & u should be back to normal after u press the button

also, do u use snow tires in the snow/ice? maybe ur tires just suck, & that is why u can not stop (because ur tires can not grip the road, u lock up instantly under brake applicant)

l too have noticed that the ABS seems very sensitive on my 04 outback wagon. They seem to activate at just the slightest touch and then the stopping distance is reeeeaalllllly increased. l thought it was a problem unique to my car but guess not.