ABS and traction control question

[ShadowsPapa]

I have been told that on the Gladiator (maybe others, but these for sure) ABS does not function at speeds under 35 mph.
It was also added that traction control does not function at speeds below 35 mph.
That would make sense because TC relies on ABS.

That being said - that contention would be supported by how my own JT acts - I can slide the front wheels on ice while slowing to a stop to park the truck.
I can spin the rear wheels and cause the rear end to swing around 45 degrees quite easily on slick roads (wet sand, etc.)

Now the dilemma -
If this is true about the ABS, then why are people griping about the ABS on these Jeeps causing them problems as in not being able to stop.
If it's not true - then my ABS is actually not working and the bit about ABS on these trucks not working below 35 is very wrong.

Can anyone support with legit documentation, etc. whether or not ABS (and traction control) function under 35?

This is NOT a debate about whether or not ABS causes issues in snow or sand, this is ONLY to try to answer - is it supposed to work under 35 mph.
The "I hate ABS" and "I hate traction control" can go to the general discussion area (or someplace that doesn't exist in this forum LOL) - this is only to prove or disprove what I was told, whether or not it's a fact.

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[dcmdon]

I have no documentation. But I can tell you that my experience with my truck has been different.

ABS absolutely works below 35 mph. At least it does in 2H and 4H auto.

This winter I tried to do a donut in the snow in 2H and could not. The traction control reduced power to the engine pretty much the moment the back end started to step out.

Sorry, its just anecdotal.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have no documentation. But I can tell you that my experience with my truck has been different.

ABS absolutely works below 35 mph. At least it does in 2H and 4H auto.

This winter I tried to do a donut in the snow in 2H and could not. The traction control reduced power to the engine pretty much the moment the back end started to step out.

Sorry, its just anecdotal.

It does reduce power from the engine for sure.
I've tried to nail it hard on dry pavement and it does cut engine power, the pedal does nothing the more you push, but my thing is - if the pavement is slick, I can spin the tires so easily the rear swings around, and coming to a stop I can lock the front wheels with ease on snow pack or ice.
Our Grand Cherokee will chatter like a rattle snake when you hit the brakes on ice at even 5 mph, mine will not, it will simply slide to a stop.

 

[dcmdon]

Our place in NH the entire street was a sheet of ice for a month. (Its a private road so it doesn't get sanded like a public road). So I got to play a lot. My ABS would trigger at walking speeds. Often. I could feel and hear it.

And when it came to cutting power, even on ice, it would intervene so quickly that the back end never had a chance to break loose.

I wish it hadn't all melted, I'd film it for you this weekend.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That makes sense, especially since these have a button to disable the traction control bit........ just need to see if others also confirm.

 

[jsalbre]

Confirmed here also. In the snow I’ve had ABS and TCS kick in under 5mph.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Finally got some facts - from another dealership.
I emailed my original sales guy (in the other dealership clear across the county). Scott forwarded my message to his go-to guy in the shop. That fellow called me a few minutes ago.
His explanation was more technical and he explained what was going on with my truck, but said that the other shop was wrong - ABS and traction control DO work fully under 35 mph, he said in fact under 5 mph.
I told him what the other shop said about those things not working under 35 and he said that's just not right, they do work at those speeds. (that tells me they didn't know enough to explain it properly)
He explained my front wheels sliding with ABS not kicking in as the computer deciding my rate of speed decrease matched the rear wheels that were both maintaining traction and not slipping and the front wheels slipping together it decided things were fine, so no ABS action.
Had one front wheel been sliding, maybe a rear wheel sliding, and/or my rate of speed decrease not fitting - it would have kicked in even under 5 mph.

Traction control was similar and because it's related to ABS - he said both of my rear wheels were spinning so it didn't see a problem. He said they act differently with limited slip and if it was a non-LSD it would have taken control.
He said keep track and if things happen under different circumstances like other than 2 wheels acting in tandem, they'd check into it.

It appears that my JT just hasn't had situations where it's had serious traction issues or stability issues where ABS was really needed. I've not really had "trouble stopping" with it.

Maybe this truck is smarter than my other trucks were.

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