Brakes on ice, Audi A3

[midgie]

Advice needed please on why, at even 15 mph, my brakes 'lock' (feels like jarring) when gently pressed on ice - flat road, uphill or downhill. On non-iced roads a few miles further along the brakes are excellent.

I take my foot off the brake when this happens for fear of unknown damage I'm causing and re apply gently a few seconds later but the jarring happens again. It goes without saying the car continues to travel further than is comfortable.

[dothawkes31]

What CD do you play in your car? Unless it is a garth brooks CD your audi won't perform to the factory standard you know, i've heard this a few times, it's not a rumour

[dothawkes31]

don't worry about zac he is so behind the times i left the shoe shop 5 months ago and now run a brothel in blackpool.

[Iggle Piggle]

yes, if it feels like someone hammering your foot, it's the ABS stopping the wheels from 'locking up' and skidding.
This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
In a car without ABS, when the wheels lock under heavy braking, the car slides straight on, with ABS you should be able to steer round something while braking hard.

[dothawkes31]

Zac, BOGOF if you're in town (that's 'buy one get one free' for those that don't do shopping on a regular basis)

[midgie]

Zacs - is 'the ABS working' good then, because it doesn't feel good? Am I supposed to apply full brake pressure instead of gentle pressure that means I hobble along? I haven't had ABS till this (old) car I got in August, when it was nice and warm and dry.

Dot, I can't see how Garth Brookes could help the situation, despite alleged god being on his side. I would have thought the factory setting was more along the Kraftwerk line anyway. It's been happening ever since Chris Evans took over the breakfast slot on radio 2 and he's never played Garth Brookes yet.

[Toureman]

Whats the address Dot, I go to Blackpool quite a lot, I like the bogof offer!

[midgie]

Thanks Iggle, does that mean then I should be applying the brake harder? Yes, it does hammer through the brake pedal so I've been taking my foot off it and re applying every few seconds. Very disconcerting. The car doesn't swerve about though like previous non-ABS ones.

[dothawkes31]

terry always played garth, and Chris Evans will want to please his audience, just incase i am going to email him to remind him that Tel played garth at least once a week. usually Red Strokes but hey...

[midgie]

Zac, posted response to iggle then read yours. I do slow down through the gears and watch for changing road conditions, junctions coming up etc. Yes it does feel like it's going to break off! So, should I brake harder and not be a wuss or keep braking gently and repeatedly please? Another snowfall and another slippery drive faces me in the early hours. Thanks for posting.

[dothawkes31]

buy a bag of cat litter, it is a great alternative to council salt and abit cheaper

[midgie]

Thanks for the advice Dot but really don't want to be sued by old ladies going over on their ankles on my cat litter so will leave that to the council!