I'm spending my first winter with my 2007 Dodge 1500 in the Alberta Oilsands, which for those of you who don't know, is famous for its winters. lol.

Anyways, I'm getting conflicting feedback, and unconclusive results regarding ABS effectiveness in 4x4.

My question is: Does ABS work properly while in 4x4?

I've tried hitting the brakes on ice while in 2wd and I feel the ABS come on for a very short time, then it goes into a 4 wheel slide. Obviously ABS doesn't do shXt when that happens.

I then tried the same streach in 4x4 and ABS vibrated for a split second, and it went into a 4 wheel skid even faster.

There have been times while in 4x4 where the ABS vibrates for 1-2 seconds, but then again, goes into a 4 wheel skid.

I am comparing the ABS in this truck to that in my previous SUV, a 1998 Jimmy S10. The Jimmy would run the ABS continuously as soon as it felt a slide, under braking, and prevent the 4 wheel slide.

Is the ABS not as effective in pickups? Does 4x4 affect ABS performance? I can't find anywhere where it says 4wheel ABS... does it only have it on the rear end?

Can someone advise?

 

Bump-- still trying to find an answer..

 

4 wheel abs was an option if i remember correctly. I believe my truck only has rear wheel abs. [/align]

 

Maybe this will help.

I located this on the edmunds.com site regarding ABS options on the 2007 models:

Four-wheel disc brakes with rear ABS are standard on the ST and SLT; Mega Cabs and Laramies come with full four-wheel ABS; it's optional otherwise.

I have a 2006, regular cab and I checked my owners manual. The following may apply to your 2007. This is from the Rear Anti-Lock Braking section:

"The system remains operational in the four-wheel drive
mode. The level of performance is reduced when the
front brakes are locked up. This may cause the rear
brakes to lockup through the drivetrain, which may
reduce the effectiveness of the Anti-lock Brake System."

Ironically, the same is NOT specifically repeated in the "Four Wheel Anti_Lock Brake" section in my owners manual. So, to me that sort of begs the question of its operation while in 4x4 mode. Previously, many 4-wheel anti-lock break systems would revert to rear-wheel anti-lock in 4x4 mode. But, I am not an expert and these things do keep changing and improving.

 

very funny !! I noticed the same thing the abs does not seem to work worth beans in 4x4 . hell i did not even notice it working at all !! mine is supose to have rear abs but you could have fooled me !!

 

Is there a ViN decoder for Dodges? I had one for GMC but obviously it won't work...

 

I know I'll probably get harrassed for saying this but ABS is useless on icy roads. My personal opinion is that it's useless in general, but to each his own.