I've had my Octy (2003) 1.9TD Elegance for 23 months now and noticed that on hard breaking I get a little kick back from the break peddle (just a pulse) and if I break hard enough it makes a clunk and kicks a bit harder. This is disconcerting. I am not used to ABS and have never encountered this problem / effect before. Any ideas? Should I be worried?

The discs are in good shape and the car was thouroughly examined by a reputable dealer before sale (!?)

From page 113 of the Owner's Manual:

This control process (ie operation of the ABS system) makes itself felt by a pulsing movement of the brake pedal and is accompanied by noises.

If you've never had ABS kick in, go out on a wet night, stragiht bit of road not too quick, make sure the raod is empty behind you and STAND on the brakes just so you experience it.

Disconcerting - but, yes, that's how it works.

it's even worse in the snow... :eek:

this i think is a major problem with the driving test currently, learners learn in a car with ABS then go out and often buy cars without ABS and struggle to stop as theyve not been taught properly how to stop a car.

this is OT and not aimed at you though.

do go out and experience it as it could well catch you out if your not expecting it and flying into a corner.

it's even worse in the snow... :eek:

Scares the cr@p out of me in the snow.

:iagree: Had plenty of fun with the ABS when I was cooking my brakes in an effort to stop them squeaking, but still got scared when it kicked in as I was stopping on the icy road outside our house whilst turning to reverse onto the drive: OMG! No brakes! OMG! No steering! OMG! Here comes the kerb! Phew! Stopped just in time!

Scares the cr@p out of me in the snow.

Ive read that in snow you stand a better chance with it off. I assume this only works in soft snow where you can push up snow with a locked wheel

Ive read that in snow you stand a better chance with it off. I assume this only works in soft snow where you can push up snow with a locked wheel

Exacto mundo...

My ABS decided to come in the other day when I drove over a large metal drainhole cover in the road!

had mine cut in when turning in the road and a load of leaves on the side so was sliding closer and closer to high curb. bloody lethal at times.

ive avoided covers when braking since ive had an ABS equipped car

ABS on Octavia's seems a bit over sensitive to me, personal taste I guess. Very useful the other night when some pr*t on a pushbike rode straight out on me. My mate just managed to hang on the the takeaway curry thank god!

My ABS decided to come in the other day when I drove over a large metal drainhole cover in the road!

wouldnt that be your ASR/TCS?

Thanks, folk. My faith is Skoda restored, in my ability to read the manual diminished.

Happy peddle pushing.

ABS on Octavia's seems a bit over sensitive to me, personal taste I guess. Very useful the other night when some pr*t on a pushbike rode straight out on me. My mate just managed to hang on the the takeaway curry thank god!

I find it a bit too keen to join in too.