Does my 5 have ABS?

[Pints]

Probably a daft question, but without attempting a lock-up on a public road - something I'm not that keen on - how do I know if my MX-5 has ABS or not?

For reference, it's a 2007 1.8 mk3.

[snotrag]

Almost certainly as I believe all production cars of a certain age do.

But if you wanted to check - open your bonnet, find the brake booster cylinder. Follow the brake lines, they will probably run across the bulkhead somewhere, till you find the abs pump.

A big box, with 4 brake lines going in, then out, and some wires connecting it to the loom. This is the abs pump, that pulses the brakes on and off.

[LukeSi]

I believe it was only the bottom spec mk1s that didn't. And a mk3 will certainly have it, EU law states it has to have it.

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes, unless someone has actively removed it!

[hornetrider]

Pints said:

but without attempting a lock-up on a public road

Why not? Find a straight bit of road, no traffic, no drama.

[Pints]

Thanks for all comments and suggestions. I might actually just give it a go - test braking it, that is. Purely for educational purposes.

[BliarOut]

Pints said:

Thanks for all comments and suggestions. I might actually just give it a go - test braking it, that is. Purely for educational purposes.

It's better to know how your car behaves under max braking in a controlled situation so you can predict it if you ever have to do it in anger

[militantmandy]

How can you not know!? Do you never drive when it rains?

[Pints]

militantmandy said:

How can you not know!? Do you never drive when it rains?

I drive according to the conditions when it rains.

[Pints]

BliarOut said:

It's better to know how your car behaves under max braking in a controlled situation so you can predict it if you ever have to do it in anger

I suppose that's why I was asking the question. I've pretty hard on the odd occasion when out on a spirited drive, but I've invoked neither ABS nor a lock-up.

[attym3]

In my experience it's not that hard to lock up in the dry, let alone in the wet.

[militantmandy]

Pints said:

I drive according to the conditions when it rains.

It seems common sense to me to have tested your brakes in a safe environment to the point that you can tell if they have abs. Pretty important thing to know.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mine hardly ever locks up. Even on a trackday at Knockhill in torrential rain the ABS was barely triggered, only braking from 110mph for the hairpin and only then at the very last moment before turn-in where there was a small bump. A well set up car with the right tyres and ABS that isn't over sensitive shouldn't trigger it easily.

[skinny]

as above, it's good practise to occasionally get on the brakes - hard - to get used to how the car reacts and also to learn just how hard / fast you can stamp on them. for example, try braking with your left foot - it'll probably be harder braking that you'd ever do with your right.

[roddo]

Pints said:

Probably a daft question, but without attempting a lock-up on a public road - something I'm not that keen on - how do I know if my MX-5 has ABS or not?

For reference, it's a 2007 1.8 mk3.

Yes it WILL have ABS, the abs unit is on the drivers side of the engine behind the washer bottle.........

It is very good at NOT allowing the wheels to lock up. For that reason we disconnect it on our race cars.

[mad4amanda]

yes it probably has , but rather than getting dirty just try and start the car the abs light will come on then hopefully go out?

[Pints]

mad4amanda said:

yes it probably has , but rather than getting dirty just try and start the car the abs light will come on then hopefully go out?

Have never noticed the ABS light.

If it's there next time I take it out, I'll add a paperbag to this post.

[Mx5guy]

militantmandy said:

It seems common sense to me to have tested your brakes in a safe environment to the point that you can tell if they have abs. Pretty important thing to know.

I agree, there will be places you can check it out. It doesn't need to be from high speeds, but even slower ones when stamping on the brake should work (although it will only be for a very short time before you stop, obviously!). It just feels like it's some kind of "kicking" going on in the brake peddle. It was one of the first things I did in the car when I got it - check the brake limits. I have actually been checking the last few days again, as we've had ice on the road and it's made a huge difference to braking times and how quickly the ABS starts kicking in (even with spiked winter tyres).