Originally posted by Rara:
Originally posted by RogerB:
The only thing that will shorten your stopping distance is stickier tires.
Everything else is just braking feel and heat management (fade resistance.)
Feel factors:
Initial bite
Modulation
For more info, check out This GRM article, and "Braking Systems in Plain English"
Close, but not completely true, at least for anyhting other than low speed stops. Not all brake systems, in a decent traction situtaion, can apply enough brake torque from high speeds to lock the wheels. In these situations, larger rotors, or higher friction pads, or anyhting to increase brake tq will decrease stopping distances.
Basically, your statement is true, but not an absolute.
I guess I should say, "assuming that you can lock up the tires..." I thought of this after I wrote that, but felt it was a non-player, and here's where MHO comes in.
I would say that any of the stock braking systems on any Contour are good enough, stock, to lock up the tires at any speed that that particular Contour is capable of in a one-time stop (i.e., street use).
