ABS>>>So Confusing

[Ringo]

I have a 2000 MX5 Miata, and had gotten my Insurance Company to reduce our
premium for our three vehicles by quite a bit, by driving so few miles on
all three (Being reteired). Paid my premium in full to Liberty Mutual for
both Home & Auto. Today in the mail get a couple of thank you letters, for
renewing, but after sending our mileage declaration back with the most
accurate odometer reading, my savings was reduced, PLUS they said that they
removed the ABS feature for my Miata. I asked why, being sure the car has
ABS. She said that the VIN number does not show ABS. I told her that it did.
So she credited back THAT $10. So I looked closer, the manual says SOME CARS
have ABS. My instrument panel shows a brake WARNING light, but NOT the ABS
light. The following site confused me even more:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=347570

So I read that site, then decided to look under the hood myself. Still
wasn't sure, till I came upon the fuse block/holder that is under the hood.
The cover of that fuse block holder shows a 20A ABS fuse on its' cover. AND
when I opened it, that 20A fuse is in fact there, where the cover's diagram
designates it. So having that fuse, where the diagram shows ABS, does that
indicate that I in fact do have ABS. Obviously $10. is not that big a deal.
But I surely do not want to give them an excuse to deny a claim, being how
some insurance companies can be???!!!

TIA for any info

[Ringo]

No one knows huh???
> TIA for any info

[Michael Bednarek]

On Mon, 9 Apr 2012 18:11:03 -0700, "Ringo" <shk...@webtv.net> wrote in
rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata:

[snip]

> So having that fuse, where the diagram shows ABS, does that
>indicate that I in fact do have ABS.

[snip]

Well, you could try. What happens when you break really hard on a wet
surface, preferrably in a bend? Can you feel the ABS doing its job?

--
Michael Bednarek, Brisbane "ONWARD"

[Ringo]

On Apr 9, 11:55 pm, Michael Bednarek <ROT13...@gtz.pbz.nh> wrote:
> On Mon, 9 Apr 2012 18:11:03 -0700, "Ringo" <shka...@webtv.net> wrote in

> rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata:
>
> [snip]>               So having that fuse, where the diagram shows ABS, does that
> >indicate that I in fact do have ABS.
>
> [snip]
>
> Well, you could try. What happens when you break really hard on a wet
> surface, preferrably in a bend? Can you feel the ABS doing its job?
>
> --
> Michael Bednarek, Brisbane                         "ONWARD"

My Wife's 97 Chevy Monte Carlo definitely has ABS (At least I think it
does>>LOL), and I could not tell you what it would feel like, when it
does its' thing :-).

[charlie]

The majority of 90's full size Chevrolets used an ABS system (Bosch
type) which produces a slight "buzz" that the driver can feel in the
brake pedal when the ABS activates. The Chevrolet Cavalier used a less
expensive system that caused the driver to feel an abrupt loss and
resumption of braking effectiveness.

[Ringo]

Thanks. But the questions remains, does NOT having the little "ABS"
light on my instrument cluster, specifically the Tach, BUT YET have
the designated "ABS" 20A fuse, in that under the hood, fuse holder/
block, means that I have it or not :-)??

[charlie]

Open hood. Look for a silver or aluminum box with five or so metal pipes
coming out on one side or top of the box. If it's not there, no ABS for you!
It's possible that the wiring harness and fuse were pre-installed, and
the build did not call for ABS. My 99 has an empty connector under the
dash for ABS, and no ABS. (It was built that way) About the only other
accessory not installed was heated seats. Don't really need them in
central Georgia!

[Ringo]

On the drivers or passenger side, under the hood??

[Jeroen Feelders]

Have a look at this picture from the miata.net forum:
http://www.harrisonindustrial.com/images/Miata/IMG_0159.JPG

The silver block is the ABS-regulator with the brakelines to all 4
wheels coming out on the top. No regulator? No ABS!

Jeroen
Technical Commissioner
Mazda MX-5 Club of the Netherlands
http://www.mx5club.nl
http://miata.feelders.com


Op 10-04-12 03:11, Ringo schreef:

[charlie]

>> Open hood. Look for a silver or aluminum box with five or so metal pipes (brake lines)

>> coming out on one side or top of the box. If it's not there, no ABS for you!
>> It's possible that the wiring harness and fuse were pre-installed, and
>> the build did not call for ABS. My 99 has an empty connector under the
>> dash for ABS, and no ABS. (It was built that way) About the only other
>> accessory not installed was heated seats. Don't really need them in
>> central Georgia!
>
> On the drivers or passenger side, under the hood??

Exactly where under the hood varies, depending upon the exact year,
country, model, and so forth. You can certainly find the Master Brake
Cylinder, and brake lines from at least the front wheels. The ABS
connects to the lines from each wheel, as well as eventually to the
master cylinder.

On my 99, there is no ABS light, but there is a place for one, with no
visible markings. Again, there is a plethora of model dependent gauge
faces, as well as aftermarket ones.

[Ringo]

On Apr 14, 10:09 pm, Jeroen Feelders <jer...@feelders.com> wrote:
> Have a look at this picture from the miata.net forum:http://www.harrisonindustrial.com/images/Miata/IMG_0159.JPG
>
> The silver block is the ABS-regulator with the brakelines to all 4
> wheels coming out on the top. No regulator? No ABS!
>
> Jeroen
> Technical Commissioner

> Mazda MX-5 Club of the Netherlandshttp://www.mx5club.nlhttp://miata.feelders.com

>
> Op 10-04-12 03:11, Ringo schreef:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > I have a 2000 MX5 Miata, and had gotten my Insurance Company to reduce
> > our premium for our three vehicles by quite a bit, by driving so few
> > miles on all three (Being reteired). Paid my premium in full to Liberty
> > Mutual for both Home & Auto. Today in the mail get a couple of thank you
> > letters, for renewing, but after sending our mileage declaration back
> > with the most accurate odometer reading, my savings was reduced, PLUS
> > they said that they removed the ABS feature for my Miata. I asked why,
> > being sure the car has ABS. She said that the VIN number does not show
> > ABS. I told her that it did. So she credited back THAT $10. So I looked
> > closer, the manual says SOME CARS have ABS. My instrument panel shows a
> > brake WARNING light, but NOT the ABS light. The following site confused
> > me even more:
>
> >http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=347570
>
> > So I read that site, then decided to look under the hood myself. Still
> > wasn't sure, till I came upon the fuse block/holder that is under the
> > hood. The cover of that fuse block holder shows a 20A ABS fuse on its'
> > cover. AND when I opened it, that 20A fuse is in fact there, where the
> > cover's diagram designates it. So having that fuse, where the diagram
> > shows ABS, does that indicate that I in fact do have ABS. Obviously $10.
> > is not that big a deal. But I surely do not want to give them an excuse
> > to deny a claim, being how some insurance companies can be???!!!
>
> > TIA for any info

Thanks. I don't think I have that then. But if I get into a wreck and
they call me on that lousy $10. it would have cost me, I will just act
dumber than I look>>LOL>>, pointing to the Fuse holder, saying "There
is an ABS 20A fuse designated there, and IN PLACE!" I can't believe
that a BIG reputable (Have had them a number of years, GREAT RATES,
even beating my AARP/Hartford rates I had), company would nickle and
dime PPL for a lousy $10.00 just because they said that my VIN #
indicated NO ABS. I told them, apparently mistakenly now, that it
does, based on that FUSE.

Thanks for all your inputs :-)

[charlie]

On 4/21/2012 4:10 PM, Ringo wrote:
> On Apr 14, 10:09 pm, Jeroen Feelders<jer...@feelders.com> wrote:
>> Have a look at this picture from the miata.net forum:http://www.harrisonindustrial.com/images/Miata/IMG_0159.JPG
>>
>> The silver block is the ABS-regulator with the brakelines to all 4
>> wheels coming out on the top. No regulator? No ABS!
>>
>> Jeroen
>> Technical Commissioner
>> Mazda MX-5 Club of the Netherlandshttp://www.mx5club.nlhttp://miata.feelders.com
>>
>> Op 10-04-12 03:11, Ringo schreef:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> I have a 2000 MX5 Miata, and had gotten my Insurance Company to reduce
>>> our premium for our three vehicles by quite a bit, by driving so few
>>> miles on all three (Being reteired). Paid my premium in full to Liberty

>>> Mutual for both Home& Auto. Today in the mail get a couple of thank you

They might not pay is the problem!

[Ringo]

If I get into a bad wreck in that little car, there probably won't be
enough left to see what's left/is under the hood>>LOL. One time coming
back from the Calif Central coast, on U..S. 101, I was moving along at
my usual 80MPH>>LOL> enjoying the view of the nearby hills, and
THANKFULLY looked up in time to see that the traffic up ahead and come
to a STOP. WHEW, if I had not looked up, another 30 secs, and I and my
Wife would have been HISTORY, not to mention the poor SCHMUCK I would
have run into. That area SUCKS (Mostly Morgan Hill). You have to keep
those eyeballs ON THE ROAD :-)

[charlie]

Actually, over the years, several of the local club members have gotten
into wrecks, up to really totaling the Miata and so forth. The car is
actually well built, and for it's size, quite rugged. Sheet metal and
designed collapsing areas protect the occupants and help minimize power
train damage. All that aside, you are correct, but if the adjuster
happens to look under the hood, there can be problems.

[Ringo]

I called them today. Was prorated at just $9.00. Not worth worrying
over. Maybe Mazda decided to leave ABS off these since they are so
easy to handle/maneuver out of tight situations, even flying at 80
MPH>>LOL

[charlie]

There were model "variants" or different trim levels and markets.
For instance almost all automatics had ABS. Some of (but not all) of the
top trim levels with a manual transmission also had ABS.
My 99 LS (Leather) was arguably the version just below the anniversary
addition, and does not have ABS or a six speed manual. It seems to have
everything else, other than heated seats.

[Ringo]

Mine is a 2000, with less than 35,000 original miles, an MX-5, that
seems to be pretty well trimmed out with nearly everything. But I have
cloth seats. Never liked leather, too sticky/hot in summer, etc., nice
audio system, AC, etc. The back seat is kind of tight though>>LOL
LOL :-). Never understood why they didn't come stock with roll bars.
I'd hate to get in a roll over. I've told my Wife, if we ever get in a
roll over wreck, do like in an airplane and get her head has tight as
she can between her knees. But that would be difficult heading to the
beach with our Jack Russell using her lap as a cushion>>LOL..

An Automatic??? Who in their right mind would want to own a little
roadster like that, and not drive a stick :-)???

[charlie]

About 10% of the Miata's are automatics. Manuals require a clutch, and
electric clutches haven't made it to Miata's.

[XS11E]

Ringo <moeshefran...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> An Automatic??? Who in their right mind would want to own a little
> roadster like that, and not drive a stick :-)???

Me. I wouldn't have ever considered a Miata with an automatic but when
I bought mine I knew I'd only be able to drive it for a limited time
because of the arthritis in my knees, hips, back, etc..

That time is very nearly up, driving the car is now a painful
experience and I notice my shifts are no longer smooth so it'll have to
go soon but if it were an automatic I could keep it..... maybe? Maybe
not, I don't think it would be as much fun with an automatic.


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

[Professor]

On 4/26/2012 8:02 PM, XS11E wrote:
> Ringo<moeshefran...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> An Automatic??? Who in their right mind would want to own a little
>> roadster like that, and not drive a stick :-)???
> Me. I wouldn't have ever considered a Miata with an automatic but when
> I bought mine I knew I'd only be able to drive it for a limited time
> because of the arthritis in my knees, hips, back, etc..
>
> That time is very nearly up, driving the car is now a painful
> experience and I notice my shifts are no longer smooth so it'll have to
> go soon but if it were an automatic I could keep it..... maybe? Maybe
> not, I don't think it would be as much fun with an automatic.
>
>

I can't speak for any other countries, but here in Canada the MX-5 is
available
with a " 6-speed Sport mode automatic transmission with overdrive and
paddle shifters".
Seems like a possible alternative.

Professor

[XS11E]

It's available here as well but that's only in the newer models and
they're out of my price range, plus it seems that the "A" type are the
only Miata's I can fit into?

I wrote a long essay here when the "C" type first came out about how I
wanted so much to like it but it was so miserably uncomfortable I gave
up on it after about an hour's drive. (Thanks again to a GREAT sales
man who rode with me to a gas station, used the dealer's credit card to
fill the car and had me drive him back to the dealership where he got
out and told me, "Don't be in a hurry to bring it back!"

After the cupholder on the door cut my left leg in half and the
throttle position destroyed my right ankle I WAS in a hurry to bring it
back!

"C" types are for people a little shorter than 6' 4"..... My 92 fits
just fine! I can't move around in it and I don't get in it, I put it
on, but it's comfortable once I'm in!

[charlie]

99 Miata
My son is about your height, and cannot get his knees under the wheel.
He just fits on the passenger side.

[Professor]

Well, I've got the opposite problem.
I'm short...... extremely short.
When I sat in an MX-5 at the latest car show, I had to move the seat up
so far in order to clutch to the floor,
the steering wheel was in my chest like a NASCAR driver.
Is it just in the last couple of years that the paddles were available?

Professor

[XS11E]

Professor <jay...@telus.net> wrote:

> Is it just in the last couple of years that the paddles were
> available?

I think so, I don't think the "A" or "B" types had them.

[charlie]

Actually, that is a problem with the B's as well.
Seems that all the "extra stuff" in the steering column was to blame,
and Mazda never bothered to correct it. I'm also of "average" height,
and end up moving the seat forward for in town driving, and all the way
back for the road.

[Ringo]

I'm 5'7" and will be 63 this year, with no arthritis yet that I know
of, but getting a bit sore, all over. Too much inactivity during the
winter months :-).

But I am also finding it harder and harder to get into my 2000 MX-5,
with just 38,000 mi.

But will drive it as long as I can, cause I love that little ZOOM ZOOM
ZOOMER>>LOL