I have never actually felt ABS on my car except once while on black ice (over a bridge)

Good tires and properly functioning brakes tend to remove the feel of ABS entirely

 

ABS can be scary when it engages, because you feel as if you cannot stop.

But, it is doing it's job: because the wheels do not lock, you can still STEER.



I second the notion that maybe new tires are needed. I've noticed for years that worn tires result in quicker activation of ABS. For winter conditions, install four snow tires. They work soooo much better than all-weathers...

 

I have best in class Michelin X-Ice tires and ABS is basically always on in nearly any braking situation over snow. No, I'm not driving at 50 k/h and then slamming on the brakes, just normal driving, even conservative driving which is necessary over snow.

Wheel lock is nearly unavoidable on snow unless you really ride the brakes. I don't see how the Americans on this board don't get why people that live in snowy areas don't like ABS. It's pretty much a consensus in my province that ABS sucks but we have to live with it. It even says that on the website of the Canadian NTSB to allow for much greater stopping distances on vehicles equipped with ABS over snow compared to a traditional braking system.

The reason why the hand brake is so desirable is because it actually allows you to stop. When ABSing your way down an incline for example, you might go on pulsating for 10 yards which will could put you right into an intersection. If I pull my handbrake, bam, my car will stop within a single yard.

I understand the point of ABS at high speeds but at under 30 km/h, on snow, with the extremely light curb weight of the Fit, the ability to stop your car is just flat out not there. I'd probably just as well stick my foot out the door and stop that way. The Fit just constantly rides over the top of the snow, never really digging in and getting traction. Thank god I have my hand brake for emergency situations.

 

A suggestion to the original poster: try threshold braking. When approaching a stopping situation, depress the brake only slightly. If you feel ABS pulsating the pedal, release the brake and reapply with less pressure. By staying on the threshold of ABS you can shorten your stopping distances, not as much as with it disabled but it's better.

 

We get about 500" of snow per year, which may not be as much as the neighbors north, but still a good amount. I never had issues with the ABS and I do not understand how the e-brake outperforms the brake pedal. The weight is over the front wheels. Wheels with the most weight will have the most traction and stop faster. This is why most braking is done with the front wheels, as most of the weight is up there to begin with, and during braking, weight transfers up front. Simple physics really. Side note, this is why sports cars are mostly RWD, as weight transfers back during acceleration.

Anyway, I've never had issues stopping with snow tires and ABS engaged. In any car.