What Is The Emergency Stab Braking Method? (Snub vs Stab)
Braking on steep inclines. There are many different methods you can use when going down steep mountain roads and through hairpin curves. Not all the methods are good to use and everyone will have their own opinion on which one you should use.
The stab braking method has you stepping on the brake until the wheels lock and then you are to release the brake so the wheels begin to rotate again. This is not a one-time method. You do have to do it many times until you slow down to a safe speed.
To learn more about stab braking just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can determine if this is a good method to use or not. Not everyone is in favor of using this method as you can burn your brakes.
Stab Braking Method
What is The Stab Braking Method?
This method is applied when you are traveling down steep grades on those very hard to drive mountain roads. When you feel you are going too fast, you are to step hard on the brake pedal and keep the pressure on till you feel the wheels lock.
Then you are to release the brake and let the wheels roll a bit before repeating that step. This procedure is to be done till your vehicle is traveling at a safe slow speed.
According to some owners, this is not a very safe method to use as you lose control over your steering and tires.
Emergency Stab Braking is When You
Are traveling too fast for the road conditions and you hit your brakes repeatedly to slow the vehicle down? Usually, when it is an emergency, you need to stop very quickly or you will have an accident.
The key to using this method is when your vehicle does not have any anti-lock brakes installed. The older models of cars do not have ABS so this is one of the many recommended ways to stop your vehicle in an emergency.
But you have to be quick as you do not get a lot of time to hit the brakes repeatedly and slow down fast enough. This method may not work if you only have seconds to slow down and stop.
When Should Stab Braking Never Be Used?
There are many different situations where you should not use this method of braking. The first one is when your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. The ABS system will prevent the wheels from locking so you are always in control of your vehicle.
The second situation is when you have bald or damaged tires. Those tires can blow or be damaged further. Then you should not use this on icy or wet roads. The locking wheels can cause your vehicle to slide out of control.
Or if you do it too sharply, your car can fishtail and cause damage to more than your car or truck.
Stab Braking Should Not Be Used on Vehicles With
ABS or some other anti-locking braking system. It is a moot method in this situation and the ABS will pump your brakes for you so you do not have to do it. When you understand how the ABS works, then you will understand why you do not use the stab method with those vehicles.
The ABS is designed to keep control of your vehicle in your hands and you do not want to mess with that protection. The computer will do the sensing for you and will release the brake pressure when it is time to release it.
This will keep the wheels from locking on you. You do not want to lock your wheels in a tough or emergency situation for when they do lock, you lose control and can only watch what will happen to you and your vehicle.
When To Use Stab Braking
The time to use the stab method of braking is when your vehicle does not have ABS installed. Then you will need to use it when you are going down some steep grades and you need to stop quickly.
Mountain roads have tough curves as well and you need to watch your speed. If you go into a curve too fast you can have an accident or worse. The stab method is supposed to slow your car without burning the brakes or over-heating them.
It does not always work out that way. Most owners are against the stab method due to many weaknesses in the method. One of those methods is as we have already said, losing control over your vehicle.
How do You do Stab Braking?
It is a very simple method to use. Most drivers when they get into a tough situation simply jam on the brakes to stop as quickly as possible. This is also not a very good method to use. You can go into a slide or fishtail when you do this method.
Stab braking is done by hitting the brakes hard, waiting till the wheels lock, and then releasing the brake, only to repeat this process. You have to be paying attention, not only to the road but to your wheels as the moment you feel them lock, you are to release the brake.
It will take a full second or two before the wheels begin to roll again. When they do, you are to hit the brakes again. You repeat this over and over till you are going slow enough or have come to a full stop.
What is Snub Braking?
This is similar to stab braking and some people use the terms stab and snub interchangeably. The snub system is when you only apply slight pressure (20 to 30 psi) on the brakes.
Then you are down shifting at the same time till you get to your safe speed in the gear you are in. Sometimes you need to go 5 mph below the safe speed before doing this move again.
It is a slower and safer way to slow down when you have time to slow down. The brakes are applied every time you reach your safe speed for each gear. There is no emergency involved either as this will take a while before you slow down or come to a stop.
Snubbing The Brakes
This is where you are taking your time to slow down when you are on a steep grade. You use this in conjunction with your manual shifter to reach a lower gear at safe speeds.
Usually, you do this when there is either plenty of room between you and the car in front of you or there is no one in front of you and you have a lot of distance to slow down.
This is not a method you use when you need to brake suddenly and very quickly. The key to using either system is not to panic or be afraid. If you panic you may make a mistake and create bigger problems for you, your vehicle, and those around you.
Controlled Braking Method
This is a method that uses even less pressure on the brakes, (5 to 15 psi), than you use when you snub or stab the brake. You use this method in conjunction with down shifting when you are at a safe speed to do the down shift.
This method is used when there is no one around and you have lots of time to slow down. When you use this method the right way, your brakes should not overheat.
You will know you are over heating your brakes when you smell the burnt odor and see the smoke coming from the axle.
Stab vs Snub Braking
The stab method is not considered the safest or best way o stop your vehicle. It is the quick way to do that but not the safest way. There are too many risks for skidding, sliding, or fishtailing when you apply this method. However, it may be the only way to stop very quickly.
The snub method will be the safer one to use as you are using your gear shift to help you slow down. Gearing down is one way to slow your vehicle but you have to do it at safe speeds or you can ruin your transmission.
But it also takes more time to stop so it is not good in an emergency situation. In emergency situations, sometimes there is no safe way to stop.
Some Final Words
Stabbing your brakes is taught in different driving manuals but it is not the best method to use. If your vehicle has ABS brakes, let that system slow your vehicle down and you concentrate on staying in control of your vehicle.
The best method to use may be the threshold method as you put steady pressure on your brakes and let the ANS system slow the vehicle. This method gives you the shortest stopping distance which should keep you safer.
