Traction control

[WildMarauder]

How important is traction control for a high horsepower Marauder? Should its absence prevent one from buying the car in favor of one that has it?

[TripleTransAm]

Opinions vary on the subject. Personally, goosing my car from a dead start in the rain is a recipe for a totally wild fishtailing episode with TC off, whereas the launches are smooth and fuss-free when the TC on. While I won't drive anywhere near aggressively in wet conditions, it's nice to have that extra idiot-proof layer of security (especially for idiots like me).

I did try it once on my slushy snowy driveway a day or two after I bought the car (the driveway has a slight upwards incline). The TC operation was smooth and unobtrusive. I was impressed... my WS6's TC is brutal in operation by comparison (although VERY effective). I suspect the Marauder's TC is as effective, though much smoother.

Irrespective of the careful way I drive when it's wet, I have had 2 or 3 occasions with my WS6 when powering (gently) onto an onramp after a 90 degree left turn, where I just happened to hit a deep wide puddle and the back end wanted to come around... in all occasions, the car's TC snapped me back into line. I suspect I wouldn't have had a problem if my Goodyear F1s were brand new, but if anything it did bring to attention the fact that those tires were beginning to have issues with standing water. Considering the stories surrounding irregular tire wear with our BFGs, another reason why I like that extra layer of security.

That's just my opinion, though. Your local driving conditions will ultimately dictate whether you need it or not.

[MapleLeafMerc]

RE: Traction Control

WildMarauder, I can only say that I have it and wish I didn't. I was told that MM's destined for Canada HAD to have it. I certainly didn't order it.

In snow I've found that it does the opposite of what you want, which is to say get moving. It kills power to the drive wheels; I'm sorry Mr. Ford, but your only chance to move through snow is if the rear wheels are actually turning!

As far as other road conditions go, I can only say that I've managed to do quite nicely without TC on all my other cars. Most of us know how to avoid wheelspin (unless we want it!) without a mechanical aid.

If the cars are otherwise equal give the TC a miss.

[jgc61sr2002]

WildMarauder - Welcome to the site. I myself prefer traction control. There are pros and cons. All Canadian, 300B's and 2004 models have it standard.

[cruzer]

TCs first reaction to a difference in rear wheel rotation is to apply the brake to the slipping wheel--if you continue to apply power and the spinning exceeds limits it will throttle your engine down--it works primarily from the "back-side" of your ABS brakes---have over 300,000 miles on Mercs with it and wouldn't drive without it--the secret is tecnique--pulled out of the parking lot a M'ville hotel WOT on wet pavement and turned 90 degrees with perfect tracking ????

[jgc61sr2002]

maury - I couldn't agree more. Thats why I waited for the 300b.

[Jeff]

TC - Bad, Full-sized spare - Good

[cruzer]

I never heard of a certain sized spare saving your life in a power skid

[03SILVERSTREAK]

I know that I might be rehashing old news but doe's anyone know how to rewire the traction control so as when you start your vehicle the TC is disabled with dash light off . when you engage the traction control , dash light comes on letting you know that the TC is engaged . I know it sounds like I'm asking for a lot but I like to know if it has been done and if so what is the wiring procedure??? :confused:

[vegasmarauder]

I tried to have the switch default to TC off. The circuit is a momentary on swith. When the circuit is grounded during the startup diagnostic of the ABS, it gives a trouble code that the ABS/TC is malfunctioning. In a word "no". I am trying to think of a way to make a delay circuit to momentarily trip the switch ground about 30 seconds after startup to turn the TC off on it's own. I don't know when I'm going to get around to it though.

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Originally posted by vegasmarauder
I tried to have the switch default to TC off. The circuit is a momentary on swith. When the circuit is grounded during the startup diagnostic of the ABS, it gives a trouble code that the ABS/TC is malfunctioning. In a word "no". I am trying to think of a way to make a delay circuit to momentarily trip the switch ground about 30 seconds after startup to turn the TC off on it's own. I don't know when I'm going to get around to it though.


Thanks for the info vegasmarauder . :up:

[duhtroll]

There's always a piece of black tape for that stinkin' light. I think about it every time I am driving at night with TC off. The reflection off of the driver's window is bright enough to make me want to cover it with something. Crude, yes, but easier on the eyes.

I think about disabling that seat belt alarm a lot too, but never get around to actually doing it. (strangely enough I have had several occasions where it would be useful - and I always wear a belt out on the streets/highways)

-A

[Jeff]

Originally posted by cruzer
I never heard of a certain sized spare saving your life in a power skid

Oh yeah, it happened just the other day! :D
If it wasn't for that extra weight in the trunk all would have been lost. :P

[RCSignals]

It's simple to just turn TC off when you need to

[John F. Russo]

Everyone

Wiring the dash traction control button in a special way can make it operate in a reverse condition. See my comments in thread, "BFG g-Force T/A Drag Radial" in "Garage" site.

Only problem is my source won't tell me how he did it. But I have it.

[TripleTransAm]

Rained cats and dogs today. As it happened, I had to step out of the office for lunch and had the Marauder with me today. My itinerary took me around a few older city blocks, with some slight inclines and lots of 90 degree turns without stops. For kicks, I turned off the traction control and tried to drive as I normally do, when I'm in more of a hurry than normal. Note that this doesn't mean driving madly, just a little more 'brisk' in an urban setting than a Sunday afternoon drive.

I was surprised at how much "chatter" I got from the back end. The tires were chattering as they grabbed for traction on the wet roads, and there were a few 'hops' as the tires grabbed on and off when launching from a stoplight. All of this as part of how I would normally drive in the rain without thinking twice. I suspect the Marauder's Traction control may be spoiling me when it comes to traction on wet surfaces.

Funny I never had this type of traction problem with the Parisienne... ;)

[Murader03]

The Mustang guys have been doing this for the past few years. One of the sites even had a switch that could be purchased. It can't be that hard to do.....What's the big deal with TC anyway? It was never a problem on my '99 Cobra. I never knew it was there. I just turned the darn this off when I wanted to smoke the tires

[Nathan]

Only problem is my source won't tell me how he did it. But I have it.

Aw man... that's no fun! Maybe you could take it apart and reverse engineer what he's done so those rest of us can do it too? I wonder if he used an additional piece of electronics or if he just rewired something in the stock switch? I guess it's time to ask for help from some of my EE friends :)