Does ABS make it worse?

[sean f]

That's also true in any ABS system - the brake pressure in the callipers is released on lock-up by isolating the feed circuit to the nrake unit and opening a return or depressirising line. Once traction is regained, the return valve closes and the feed line reopens to reapply pressure. That can only be done with fresh fluid pressure supplied by an accumulator (pumps are too slow, but are used to charge the accumulator). If you didn't have an accumulator (or if the accumulator isn't charged), then the ABS system will release the brakes once and that's all - you'd have to pump the pedal to get them back on.

ETC is, as you said, just a different logic mode within the ECU that opens the feed valve from the accumulator to a spinning wheel's brake unit.

I stand corrected about the ABS requiring constant pressure as well, hadn't quite though through the logic of that side of it, I was assuming it was possible to use the pressure supplied by the foot on the brake pedal and servo assist, now you have pointed it out obviously you are correct. As you also say and accumulator of some type is also required to provide a constant supply of pressure.

[nicks90]

As you also say an accumulator of some type is also required to provide a constant supply of pressure.

which is why the abs/tc system starts to overheat and shuts down when you give it some protracted abuse offroad - or it certainly did in the wifes disco2!