How to Deactivate ABS?
4 Answers
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) remains in a standby state and cannot be turned off in most civilian vehicles. However, on some high-performance models, ABS can be deactivated by switching the driving mode to drift mode. ABS, which stands for Anti-lock Braking System in Chinese, is an automotive safety control system with advantages such as anti-skid and anti-lock features. ABS is an improved technology based on conventional braking systems and can be categorized into mechanical and electronic types. Modern vehicles are widely equipped with ABS, which not only retains the braking function of standard systems but also prevents wheel lock-up, allowing the car to steer while braking. This ensures directional stability during braking, preventing skidding and deviation. ABS is currently one of the most advanced and effective braking systems in automobiles.
Last time I slammed on the brakes in the snow, the ABS went crazy and kicked in. Actually, this system can't be completely disabled since it's a life-saving program hardwired into the ECU. If you really want to deactivate it, you'll have to locate the fuse box under the steering wheel and pull out that 15A blue fuse labeled ABS. But don't say I didn't warn you - braking distance will increase significantly afterward, and you might fishtail easily on rainy days. My neighbor Old Zhang foolishly pulled it out last year and ended up rear-ending someone, costing him over 30,000 in damages. If you really want to mess with it, you're better off going to the dealership to enable sport mode - some models can delay ABS intervention, making it less prone to wheelspin when starting on icy roads. Remember, after pulling the fuse, the dashboard will show a yellow warning light, and you definitely won't pass the annual inspection.
Having worked on cars for ten years, I've genuinely never seen anyone voluntarily disable ABS. This system can pulse the brakes over twenty times per second, far faster than any human foot. Recently, a young guy brought his modified Civic to the shop, insisting we remove the ABS module, claiming it interfered with drifting. The boss finally pointed to the automotive repair certification on the wall and said tampering with active safety systems is illegal. Truth is, if ABS engages too early, it's likely due to metal shavings on the wheel speed sensors—just spray some brake cleaner on the inner wheel hub to fix it. Another common issue is brake fluid with excessive water content; replacing the fluid makes it smooth immediately. And if ABS activates inexplicably over speed bumps, check the wheel alignment ASAP—uneven tire grip can fool the computer too.
Anyone who's into car mods knows that turning off ABS requires flashing a custom ECU tune. At the last track day, I saw a heavily modified Fit where the mechanic connected a laptop to the OBD port and checked the "Track Mode" option in the ABS calibration parameters. But doing this on public roads is pure suicide – once I tried turning off ABS for a corner, hit the brakes hard at 80 km/h, and ended up sliding sideways for over three meters. Nowadays, new performance cars have adjustment knobs right on the steering wheel, like BMW's MDM mode which allows slight wheel slip. If you really want to experience raw handling, it's better to practice trail braking in an abandoned parking lot – a hundred times safer than risking it by disabling safety systems. By the way, when ABS kicks in and the brake pedal pulses, don't panic, just stomp on it and hold tight.
