Buying a new car, don't understand an add-on

Nana

Hello!
My husband and I are looking at buying a 2008 Kia Rio5, one of the add-ons you can purchase is 4 wheel anti-lock breaks. I'm not much of a car person, so I read up on anti-lock break systems and what they do, and they seem like a nice feature to have.

What I'm confused about is does the car come with 2 wheel anti-lock breaks standard, we live in sunny southern California and it rains here maybe 10 times a year, and we never drive through snow. I'm not sure if they are very necessary for us.

The break section of the spec page says:

Type: Hydraulic, power-assisted vacuum; 4-sensor, 4-channel ABS (optional on LX/SX)

Front: 10.1-in. vented discs

Rear: 8.0-in. drum
10.3-in. solid disc (w/optional ABS)


The specs page for the kia rio5
http://www.kia.com/rio5/rio5-specs.php

I was thinking maybe it came with 2 wheel anti-lock breaks because of the part in bold, the back breaks have optional ABS, does that mean the front wheels will have it standard?

Thanks for any help.

ViolentChemistry

ABS is usually all or none.

Nana

I thought that might be the case. Thanks for the reply.

mastman

yes, some cars do have 2 wheel ABS brakes - usually on the back. I'm not sure of the effectiveness of 2 vs. 4 wheel ABS brakes. All I know is I have 4 wheel ABS brakes and it is fantastically different and amazing in the snow verse no ABS brakes. Even when easily applying the brakes they help a lot in slippery situations.

But it's very rare to find 2 wheel ABS brakes, if they even do it anymore. Ask the dealer

firewaterword

I hope this isn't too off topic, but what's the reasoning behind having disc brakes up front and drum brakes in the rear? I was under the impression that disc brakes were vastly superior to drum brakes.

Personally, I would most certainly get the ABS package.

ASimPerson

Saves money. Since most less expensive cars are front-wheel drive, you put the good brakes up front.

ecco the dolphin

firewaterword wrote: »

I hope this isn't too off topic, but what's the reasoning behind having disc brakes up front and drum brakes in the rear? I was under the impression that disc breaks were vastly superior to drum brakes.

Personally, I would most certainly get the ABS package.

It's because the majority of your braking power is in your front brakes. I believe it's because when you brake, the majority of your vehicle's weight gets shifted to the front wheels, and so you end up with greater braking power up front.

firewaterword

Ah-hah! Thanks, that makes perfect sense.

ViolentChemistry

ASimPerson wrote: »

Saves money. Since most less expensive cars are front-wheel drive, you put the good brakes up front.

No, you put the good brakes up front because your front wheels do the majority of your braking regardless of whether your car is front, rear, four or all-wheel drive.

Pheezer

It's saying that you get front disc brakes no matter what. If you go with the optional ABS package, you'll get rear disc, otherwise you get rear drum.