Bernie Lomax

I have always assumed that I had it with the 4 wheel disc brakes, but thinking about it, that's kind of stupid. I wonder if I really have it? It's an automatic SE, if that makes a difference. Thanks for your help.

Daniel B. Martin

Any of these tests should tell the tale...

1) Ask any technician at your local friendly Nissan dealer. He can answer after a three-second look under the hood. He will be looking for the ABS actuator, a sort of hydraulic octopus which is located near the brake master cylinder. If the actuator isn't there, your Maxima doesn't have ABS.

2) Sit in the driver's seat. Turn the ignition "on" but don't start the engine. This performs a dashboard warning lamp test. You should see all sorts of warning lights go on and stay on including those for Engine Oil Pressure, Charge, Door Open, and Service Engine Soon. Some other dashboard warning lights go on momentarily and then go off. The momentary lights include Air Bag and ABS. If you make this lamp test and do not see the ABS light go on momentarily, your Maxima doesn't have ABS.

3) Raise the hood. Just in front of the battery you should see a black plastic relay box. This is relay box #2. Snap off the relay box cover. There are two rows of relay sockets, four in each row. Your relay box may have some blank sockets, depending on which options are installed. Look at the row of relays closest to the battery. The third and fourth from left socket should have relays installed. If those sockets are empty, your Maxima doesn't have ABS.

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

Slam on the brakes on a wet road. If you spin wildly out of control and into the ditch, no ABS. If you come to a controlled straight line stop, congratulations, you have ABS.

Or you could look at all that icky stuff under the hood or talk to a greasy mechanic.

j/k

Eric L.

Easy...slam on the brakes when you are going 30-40MPH. Step down as hard as you can and hold it....if you feel the brake pedal vibrate, you have ABS. If your wheels lock up and you skid for 20 feet, then you don't have ABS.

Also there is an ABS light on the guage cluster which lights up when you first start your car.