ABS on 2008 Mazda 3?

[duragezic]

I bought a 2008 Mazda 3i Touring a few weeks ago and it's been fine. I bought it thinking it does not have ABS, and told the insurance company that when they asked while transferring the insurance.

The Touring model does not have ABS standard. However, I did notice that when I start the car, one of the dash lights is an ABS light.

But I don't think this necessarily indicates my particular car has ABS. I've been waiting for a nice snow storm as that would tell me instantly if it has ABS, but I'm not sure I'll get that this year anymore.

So I'm wondering if anyone with a Mazda 3 knows if this light or another way can tell me if I have ABS. Seems like a dumb question; maybe there's an obvious way I'm missing?

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/manuals/2008_Mazda3_OM.pdf

You wouldn't have the light if you didn't have ABS, imo.

 

[thescreensavers]

Why not just test it, hit 20mph and slam on the brakes if your wheels lock up you don't have ABS. Do this in an empty parking lot, takes 10 sec.

 

[LTC8K6]

I think it's pretty clear in the manual that he has ABS.

 

[thomsbrain]

I can't imagine a car being sold without ABS except maybe the stripper Hyundai Accent 3-door (and I bet even that has ABS).

 

[LTC8K6]

http://mazda-subaru-vw.homestead.com/Brochures/MAZDA/3/2008_mazda3_brochure.pdf

Standard on his car, according to this 08 Brochure.

Only the base model lacks ABS.

 

[thescreensavers]

I did not read it, but cool.

not hard to test though

 

[brblx]

it's also not hard to look under the hood.

 

[duragezic]

I'm not sure what to look for physically under the hood.

I've only ever had ABS come on while stopping in the snow, but then again never owned a car until now with it. It was pretty hard to lock up the wheels on dry pavement with my old 626; in fact I only remember doing it once.

Thanks for the info everyone. That's a nice surprise to have it. I never found it necessary even in the some of the worst winter conditions, but I'll sure take it. Plus I'll have to correct my insurance and see if there is a small discount for having it.

 

[brblx]

I'm not sure what to look for physically under the hood.

anything attached to the master cylinder. on a non-ABS car, you'll see nothing but lines and maybe a small distribution block (also has proportining valve and (if car has rear drums) metering valve built in, typically). with ABS, you will probably see a large chunk of metal (hydraulic unit) with a an electrical motor somewhere near the master cylinder.

 

[LTC8K6]

You have the whole package. ABS, traction control, brake force distribution, and brake assist.

Brake assist is kinda cool, the system will automatically apply maximum braking force when it detects a panic stop attempt.

 

[duragezic]

anything attached to the master cylinder. on a non-ABS car, you'll see nothing but lines and maybe a small distribution block (also has proportining valve and (if car has rear drums) metering valve built in, typically). with ABS, you will probably see a large chunk of metal (hydraulic unit) with a an electrical motor somewhere near the master cylinder.

Cool. That'll be a sure confirmation so I can report to insurance it has ABS.

As far as the whole package, that'd be cool but I'm pretty sure on that I don't. I believe the traction control has an Off button, which is located alongside the DSC off button if equipped, and I have neither of those. Also I don't believe I have an icon for the traction control (car with squirrely lines). I'm thinking maybe those are standard on the 3s (2.3L sport) model?

Actually, looks like that's also standard with the 3i Touring Value, not Touring. I had initially hoped mine was a TV, but one telling feature is the TV has 17" wheels standard, while mine are 16". Especially because the TV blue booked like $150 more than the T yet had a lot more features worth way more.

 

[LTC8K6]

Then you must have the Touring Value Edition, which has ABS, but not the rest.

 

[halik]

Why not just test it, hit 20mph and slam on the brakes if your wheels lock up you don't have ABS. Do this in an empty parking lot, takes 10 sec.

If his light is on, ABS is disabled...

 

[StageLeft]

It was pretty hard to lock up the wheels on dry pavement with my old 626; in fact I only remember doing it once.

Try harder. ANY car without ABS can be locked up unless there is something with the brake booster.

Especially in rain. When going at 40 just smash the brakes and see what happens.

Sounds like u have it, though.

 

[Lotheron]

Simple test, if you brake hard and you feel pulsating on the brake pedal and your tires do not lock up, you have ABS. If your tires lock up, you do not have it.

 

[vshah]

you'll definitely hear ABS if you try a quick stop. or try braking over a bumpy road, that sets mine off every time.

 

[duragezic]

Then you must have the Touring Value Edition, which has ABS, but not the rest.

I think that brochure is misleading, or newer. It indicates a 3i will have 15" wheels, or 17" (TV) only, but mine are 16". When I went to edmunds.com, I diff'd the T and the TV and things like the 16" vs 17" wheels indicated I have a Touring.

But anyway, looks like I have ABS, and perhaps that brake assist and brake distribution part.

The ABS light isn't on. I just meant that I noticed it as part of the dash lights that come on when the vehicle is started but then turn off while driving unless there is a problem. So yeah, if I slam on the brakes I should get it.

Thanks!

 

[Gibson486]

I think in 08, ABS was standard across the board for this car.

 

[jlee]

I didn't realize that new cars could be sold without ABS...hell all cars since '08 need tire pressure monitoring systems...

 

[brblx]

if you're going to test ABS, do it on gravel.