zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10-June 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:11:50

MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ?

MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is of the 1997 Chevy S-10 extended cab. The second generation of GM’s mid-size pickups, the Chevy S-10 and its GMC Sonoma sibling had been recently redesigned in 1994 after going unchanged since their introduction in 1982. The biggest change came in an extended cab, a three-door configuration that MotorWeek tested here.

GM extended the cab, allowing for just over 17 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. The downside to this setup was the three-door configuration, with the extra door only being on the driver’s side. This configuration also did away with one of the dual rear jump seats, something GM says was done in the name of safety.

The S-10’s track performance was surprising, but not in the way you’d think. This is by no means a performance vehicle; power came from Chevy’s 4.3-liter Vortec V6 with 180 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque routed through a four-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The surprise came when MotorWeek did their braking test.

Mind you, the S-10 performed horribly in its braking test. The S-10 averaged 150 feet from 60 mph in three separate braking tests. The worst part came after the third test. MotorWeek says the S-10’s four-wheel antilock braking system failed, resulting in the disastrous GIF you see above. John Davis mentions that both the truck’s test driver and videographer had an “anxious” moment. Luckily this was done in a controlled setting, as it could have been dangerous out on the open road. Strangely, Davis says the failure of the system never happened again during the truck’s two-week stay, even after a visit to dealer service.

Vehicle technology and driver safety systems have come a long way in the last 27 years since the test. This truck’s failure though is a stark reminder that at despite technology, cars are still machines that can have any part of them fail at any given time for no reason.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Mercedes Says Not To Use The G-Class EV's Tank Turn On Public Roads. What Are You Gonna Do, Arrest Me?
Mercedes Says Not To Use The G-Class EV's Tank Turn On Public Roads. What Are You Gonna Do, Arrest Me?
Mercedes-Benz announced a slew of stuff at CES, from to musical EV sounds developed with Will.I.Am that change as you drive. CES was also host to the North American debuts of the Concept CLA and the new E-Class, but the only thing that I truly care about is the camouflaged...
Jun 19, 2025
VinFast Will Try And Sell Its Tiny VF3 SUV In The U.S. With 125-Mile Range For Under $20,000
VinFast Will Try And Sell Its Tiny VF3 SUV In The U.S. With 125-Mile Range For Under $20,000
At CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday brought the Jabbawockeez dance crew onstage to unveil its new pickup truck, the Wild. While that pickup is just a concept for now, also used its CES presentation to formally announce that its super small, super cute and hopefully super cheap will...
Jun 19, 2025
Honda’s Redesigned H Logo Is A Great Retro Throwback For Its New Futuristic EVs
Honda’s Redesigned H Logo Is A Great Retro Throwback For Its New Futuristic EVs
just debuted , and to go along with the two new models are two new company logos. revised its “H mark” – Honda-speak for its iconic H emblem – that will be used on all next-generation EVs, and it’s worn by the concepts unveiled at CES. There’s also a...
Jun 19, 2025
YouTubers Are Searching For Missing People By Finding Cars In Water
YouTubers Are Searching For Missing People By Finding Cars In Water
An and who runs a YouTube channel has helped police solve a ten-year old missing person’s case in Missouri. In December 2013, 59-year-old disabled veteran Donald Erwin disappeared after going out for cigarettes. The Vietnam vet left home in his Hyundai Elantra as he had done many times before...
Jun 19, 2025
Mercedes Wants You To Have Real, Natural Conversations With Its New In-Car AI Voice Assistant
Mercedes Wants You To Have Real, Natural Conversations With Its New In-Car AI Voice Assistant
Automotive journalists love to clown on , always talking about how they are, but not me. I’m already the kind of guy that says “thanks girl” after asking Siri a question, and I do love using a in a car (emphasis on the word “good.”) They can genuinely lessen...
Jun 19, 2025
Hyundai Is Really Trying To Make eVTOLs Happen
Hyundai Is Really Trying To Make eVTOLs Happen
Despite the push, are of transportation — they’re either. Despite eVTOL and no one actually bringing one of these things to market yet, over $5 billion into the industry over the last decade. Hyundai is one of the biggest presences in the eVTOL space, and the fruit of that...
Jun 19, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved