Freaked out by ABS when driving on Ice/Snow

[Samsonite]

Please let me know if anyone has an feedback on this. I drive a 2005 V8 2wd. Im in dallas and as Im sure you've seen we have had some bad weather lately. I was driving today and my ABS seriously almost got me in an accident.

I was pulling out of my neighborhood and as I approached the stop sign to the main road (only going maybe 5 mph - road had a layer of ice/snow/mush on it) the abs kicked on as I slid a little. Well the brake pedal started vibrating and abs kicking on/off. I kept my foot on the brake and the car still kept pulling forward into the main road and I couldnt stop it. When I let off the brake to accelerate the 4runner barely moved for a litlle while. It left me hanging out in the road where oncoming cars alomst hit me. I have had such little traction on this vehicle it is awful. Whenever the tires lose traction you can hear and feel vibrations coming from the brake pedal. Its pretty ridiculous. I have noticed this also when I shift from reverse to drive sometimes - the brake pedal vibrates/shakes for a second.

Does anyone else have this problem or know what might be going on?

 

[morphius909]

3 things.

Tires.

Tires.

Tires.

I assume you have all seasons?

Without Winter Boots you're basically driving with Skates. Seeing as you are in Texas and I believe you hardly ever get snow, it's understandable.

The ABS is doing what it's supposed to do. You can have all the electronic gizmos and gadgets, but in winter conditions, Winter tires are king.

 

[Acidmeld]

The ABS is doing what it's supposed to do. You can have all the electronic gizmos and gadgets, but in winter conditions, Winter tires are king.

+1 The abs is just trying to find traction where none exists.

 

[peter78]

+1 The abs is just trying to find traction where none exists.

I disagree, to me what is going on, is the traction control is freaking out. After you stop, then start, if one tire slips, the stupid traction control on your 2WD cuts the power, until you find traction, leaving you stuck out in the middle of the road. (At least that is my opinion.)

The same thing has happened to me with both the 3rd and 4th gen 4Runners. When you stop, try turning off the traction. It tends to come back on when you going over 20MPH, but when you are starting up, or heaven for-bid stuck in the snow, TURN OFF that crazy traction control and spin your tires, without the power cutting out.

 

[Samsonite]

+1 peter78. Much better explanation than mine. That is exactly what happened. Also, with the brake completely depressed the vehicle kept pulling itself forward. It kept trying to put power to the wheels. no bUENO!l

I drove in several other vehicles over this exact same time frame and non of them showed the same symptoms. When the brake was pressed abs kicked on as the car slid a little and then came to a complete stop. It never wanted keep "pulling" the vehicle forward. Yes I realize all are different but to me this is not normal.

Also, under normal driving conditions, I can reverse, come to complete stop, shift to drive - press gas and I get the same feeling in the brake pedal. Almost like the ABS/Brake calipers are unlocking. I feel a vibration/kick in the brake pedal.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Try turning off the vsc

 

[peter78]

Try turning off the vsc

I don't think you can on a 2WD 4Runners, not sure about 4WD though.

 

[jeober]

for 2 wd - Turn on the auto LSD switch to turn off the traction control.