I have a 2008 XC90 and previously owned a 2003. I have never really liked AntiLock brakes but recognize that most drivers did not grow up driving in winter conditions.

The issue that I have with my XC90's is their sensitivity. I have had them kick in in the fall when there is a patch of wet leaves on the road. I experience the same thing with a slight dusting of snow and no ice. This happens when with brand new and older tires. I read one post lately that replacing the all season tires with snow tires may solve this issue but that seems to defeat the purpose of the braking systems.

Has anyone experienced the same issue?

thanks

 

Yes, and for very good reason. If an ABS sensor senses imbending wheel lock up during hard braking it will activate the ABS for that wheel. Either there is something wrong with the sensor or the system is working exactly like it was designed. Wet leaves, a light dustiing of snow or ice, wet roads, a bump in the road during hard braking - all of these are low traction situations and during hard braking will set off the ABS as intended.

Winter tires will increase your traction in snow and ice conditions but if any particular wheel looses traction during braking, causing wheel lock up, then ABS will kick in.

Sounds like your system is working correctly.

 

Respectfully Disagree,

No other car I have driven in winter is such a roller skate in the snow. Brand new all season tires included. My wife's 335 BMW, even our Smart car seem to apply enough stopping power to get through the tiny patches that the much heavier Volvo does not handle. I am going to get mine checked again as I think in my situation it is a safety issue in which this cannot get stopped. I am not talking about driving on sheet ice and more than an inch of snow.

 

I'm confused. Are you having issues driving or braking? Maybe you need to replace the All Season (read: 3 season, not including winter) and get winter tires?

Still sounds quite normal. Every car I have does this under the conditions you describe.