Yet another Traction Control Thread

[Cordoba1]

A couple of months ago, there was a member here who had concerns that his traction control wasn't working. I (and others) responded that "it probably was working, it just isn't a great system."

I think I may have to recant that comment. I now have traction control, but as far as I can tell, it does absolutely nothing but flash the light on the dash. It doesn't seem to pull the RPM's down at all... I can burn out, I can spin the tires on snow, I can power slide! Turning the TC unit off doesn't make any changes, as far as I can tell.

Theory: The "tunes" that many of us flash our PCM's may interfere with TC. Test: return to stock and see if TC works better.

Now the thing is... If I find out the TC is defective, I won't bother to get it fixed because I just don't care! :rolleyes:

[Aren Jay]

That was me. No Tune yet. I'm Stock.

[offroadkarter]

I dont think it works well either, might have to find out tommorow

[Marauderjack]

Mine works like it is supposed to.....KILLS power when traction is lost!!:beer:

[Taemian]

Mine works like it is supposed to.....KILLS power when traction is lost!!:beer:

Same here, the power drops right off and the TC light flashes on the dash cluster. If wheelspin is detected and it's only for a second, the light flashes with a small amount of power loss, but if I stay on the throttle, the car buttons down to barely an idle and then slowly comes back up.

[DOOM]

Mine works fine :D

[RoyLPita]

I hate mine.

[Pat]

Without traction control the tires spin, with traction control they don't.
I couldn't tell if power has fallen off. But I do keep traction. Talking about drag strips not slippery streets.

[Cordoba1]

Interesting... Yeah, I've driven plenty of cars with TC, and it's an amazing technology. But besides flashing the dash light, mine clearly isn't doing anything.

[Bluerauder]

But besides flashing the dash light, mine clearly isn't doing anything.
How do you know that it is not doing anything? TC reacts quickly to correct a slipping condition. Its "on the job" quicker than you can react. It saved my MM on at least one occasion that I am aware of when the back stepped out on me about 12-18 inches while making a turn in slick conditions right at the 1-2 shift point. The dash TC light was already lit before I could come off the gas in under a split second. TC was ahead of me. Did it help .... my take is YES, definitely. Could I have saved it without TC .... MAYBE, I don't know. I just know that I drove home with no damage that night.

I don't know what you are expecting ... but if the TC light is coming on ... that means that the sensors know that you are slipping. I did it twice this week in snow and ice (on purpose) just to get the TC feedback. Its there !!

[Cordoba1]

I know it's not doing anything because I can spin the rear tires.. a lot. I'm not talking about a little slip here, I'm talking high-engine-revving spinning -- and even with the light blinking, there is no reduction in power what so ever. With every other TC system that I've encountered, you can hear and feel the system in action.

On my way home from Florida, I encountered snow when I got to Illinois. After having dinner at a little place off the interstate, I attempted to leave the driveway, which had a gentle slope leading up to the road. I was anxious to see how the TC would work on this big heavy car, and all I got was wheel-spin, and of course, a flashing-dash-light. I had to back up and get a run at the "gentle slope" to make it onto the road.

So what I'm expecting is what the other members have explained that their system does: Pull the engine power way back as to not overpower the limited amount of traction.

Incidentally, I had a rented CV with traction control -- and I "tested" the system by trying to get up a slippery hill with it off. Now way. Then, I turned it back on, and just floored the car, and I was amazed how the system intervened and pulled the car up the hill.

[Marauderjack]

I know it's not doing anything because I can spin the rear tires.. a lot. I'm not talking about a little slip here, I'm talking high-engine-revving spinning -- and even with the light blinking, there is no reduction in power what so ever. With every other TC system that I've encountered, you can hear and feel the system in action.

On my way home from Florida, I encountered snow when I got to Illinois. After having dinner at a little place off the interstate, I attempted to leave the driveway, which had a gentle slope leading up to the road. I was anxious to see how the TC would work on this big heavy car, and all I got was wheel-spin, and of course, a flashing-dash-light. I had to back up and get a run at the "gentle slope" to make it onto the road.

So what I'm expecting is what the other members have explained that their system does: Pull the engine power way back as to not overpower the limited amount of traction.

Incidentally, I had a rented CV with traction control -- and I "tested" the system by trying to get up a slippery hill with it off. Now way. Then, I turned it back on, and just floored the car, and I was amazed how the system intervened and pulled the car up the hill.

Do you have an after market tune that might have disabled the TC.....Diablo does this with GM and most Ford tunes!!:cool:

[Cordoba1]

Do you have an after market tune that might have disabled the TC.....Diablo does this with GM and most Ford tunes!!:cool:

That's a theory I'll test by returning to stock at some point.

[eric jones]

Mine works fine also, I love the fact that I can turn it off when wheel spin is disired (leaving stop lights)

[Dragcity]

The TC not only cuts engine power, but applies appropriate breaking to the corner needing it. The combined effect is to regain driver control.

This usually throws off my learned skills. I really have to re-learn. The systems are supposed to be pretty effective...

[Zack]

I too found my TC almost useless. (in the snow)

But....after installing my snow tires last night, the TC and tire combo compliment themselves beautifully and I can plow through snowy roads and take off from a stop like I have a 4x4.

[UncleLar]

My 03 GM Ultimate had traction control that worked,but I got a little stuck in an unplowed parking spot and dug in and couldn't move,I shut off the TC,got it rocking and managed to get out with the tires spinning,even then it took 6 tries to get out,and believe me I could tell when it kicked in. Today I had the DTR out after leaving the muffler shop and was on a dry street (with what was probably salt residue on it) and dry tires. I stood on it at around 25mph with the TC on and it kicked down to first and really lit the tires up,enough to where it started to walk the azz end to the right,I stayed in it and it hit second and lit them up again,never a hint of TC. Beats me what's up with the TC.:confused:

[Aren Jay]

I found my TC does work, but only when it is about to break loose. I can still spin my tires, it only kicks in if the back end is about to spin away.