Traction Control

[muslhed]

Hello! I am a brand new member to this forum, and this is my first of many posts! I am highly considering buying an '03 black MM with about 8K on the ticker from a local dealership, here in East Texas, in the next 30 days. I have surfed this forum from time to time, and I have one question that I haven't seen clearly answered anywhere yet. And that question is this: Does the '03 MM have traction control stock, and can you de-activate it? I have never seen a button in the MM for traction control, but I have heard a lot of talk about it. I do not want this feature one bit, if this car does in fact have traction control built into it, with no way to de-activate it. This makes me feel restricted, and I want to have control over the car. If I want to light them up in my driveway, or drift around the corner of my choice, I don't want some computer program taking over, and prohibiting me from doing whatever I want. Any feedback would be great.

BTW, I noticed that some of you are planning a trip to my neck of the woods at Hallsville Raceway this Saturday. I will be there for sure! I live in Longview, and Hallsville is just about 10 minutes down the road! See ya @ noon!

[TripleTransAm]

Traction control has helped me in some situations where I didn't realize I'd be losing control.

I got spoiled by being able to shoot in front of traffic from a light (to allow myself an easy lane change, etc.) on rainy days. One day I forgot I had deactivated the TC and blew away the tires once the engine hit 3500 RPM or so... steady pedal, and it's not like I nailed the gas too hard or anything. Just a quicker-than-usual launch (maybe a smooth application of 3/4 throttle) and by the time the engine spooled up to around 3500... woohoo! lotsa fishtailing and a few new spots in my shorts...

If an MM has TC, it will have the button to disable it, next to the adjustable pedal controls.

I've seen some Texas rainstorms in person... I think I'd feel better with wide tires and TC together, personally. You can always deactivate it when you want to "play"...

[RCSignals]

Up until the end of October 2002 production or so, the 2003 MM did not have traction control
After that they all do. It can easily be disabled by pressing the switch off




(edited to relieve Marty's confusion :) )

[martyo]

Originally posted by RCSignals
the 2033 MM did not have traction control

I thought the MM was cancelled after 2004?? What do you know that I don 't know?

[RCSignals]

shhh it's a secret sMartyo

[TripleTransAm]

Haven't you heard? The 2033 MM is slated to be equipped with the new modular Ford engine family running on plasma energy, with a hydrogen drive backup system. It will use an all-ceramic 2.6 liter V-9 engine with plastic pistons and fiberglass valves, and 4 micro-injectors per cylinder which activate sequentially depending on vehicle load. It will come with a 7-speed transmission (with spiral-lock clip up front, 'natch) and a variable speed diff (variable from 3.55 to 4.56 depending on torque demand).

Traction control will be standard... and always-ON. ;)

[TJH]

Look at two things on the car: The fuel filler door, and the trim panel to the left of the steering column. If the fuel door is flush, with no finger bulge, it's an early 2003. It will also only have one switch to the left of the column, in the gray trim panel, since it won't have traction control.
Starting with Job #2 of 2003 (around October- order code 300B), they ALL have traction control, and the electric fuel door release was dropped (among other changes).
If it has the traction control, just push a button to turn it off. Even with traction control, however, if you are REALLY aggressive with the throttle on slick/snow covered surfaces, you'll still be able to put it into an uncontrollable spin. It helps to an extent, but on my 2003 300B, you can still force wheel slippage.
Now, the better question would be, do you have the driving skills to handle it, or have you been watching too much "2 Fast 2 Furious" to know?
Having been extensively trained (and certified) in high-speed driving and limit handling for Ford, this is a logical question. Because almost every day, I see a LOT of drivers who GROSSLY overestimate their ability...

[cruzer]

TJH, I agree with you--the traction system does a very good job of doing what it was designed to do--with practice, observation and conservative driving at first, it can be a very valuable tool--having and on-off switch gives you the best of two worlds---it was not intended to control a WOT on wet pavement--but it can save your bacon when you are accelerating and the tires break loose----know your limits for all road conditions and stay within them and you will have many happy miles

[muslhed]

Wow! Thanks for all the answers! I see now! Yes, I am more than aware of the benefits and advantages of traction control. My concern was that this was a car that came with traction control.......but with no way to deactivate it, and I don't want that type of restriction. Since there is, I am all for it! I will assume that all MM's made prior to October 2002, were order code 300A (?), and those made after October 2002 were the order code 300B that some of you are referring to. That being the case, I would rather have the 300B, not only for the traction control benefits when you need TC, but also so that I don't have to remember to push some button every time I want to put gas on my car!

Now to answer TJH's comments on my driving abilities. I dodge the Fast & Furious wanna be's all day long, and am nothing like them. No, I have never been "certified" by any major corporation or law enforcement. I have studied driving techniques ever since I started driving though, and get plenty of practice on my own. Yes, I am more than comfortable piloting a 2 ton, 300 horse vehicle. Because I practice what I learn, on a very regular basis, and am fully aware of my driving abilities and limits.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their responses, and am looking forward to joining the MM club!

[2003Marauder]

Quote:
"BTW, I noticed that some of you are planning a trip to my neck of the woods at Hallsville Raceway this Saturday. I will be there for sure! I live in Longview, and Hallsville is just about 10 minutes down the road! See ya @ noon!"

Will be looking for you...see you Saturday!

[Ross]

Muslhed, it will be great to have another Texas Marauder. There are already a bunch of us. You will love this car. I drive up through Longview and Marshall on business every so often.

[darebren]

Would trac control be ineffective in a supercharged car? can the comuter really decrease that kind of power? i wonder if it would work at all

[Hemlock]

SEE YA'LL SAT. CHEERS!!

[jgc61sr2002]

muslhed - Welcome aboard. I waited for the 300B just to get the traction control. IMO it is an excellent safety feature. Good luck with your purchase.:D

[Jeff]

Bah-Humbug. :)

[TJH]

You know, if you REALLY want to learn how do drive something at the limit, and develop the feel needed to know exactly where the limit is, I highly recommend go-cart racing. Quite simply, it's the cheapest form of racing that really develops the ability to control a vehicle at the edge- and it's a blast. With small motorcycle engines, they can get to 60-70MPH on the straights, and with a solid rear axle, sliding around hairpin turns is an absolute requirement. And, with such a small wheelbase, they can be VERY unforgiving when you reach the limit.
You may not think those speeds are high- but when you're butt is only an inch above the ground, with no sheetmetal or other protection around you, the sensation is that you are moving much faster.
And, it's a heck of a lot of fun.
As for the supercharger with traction control- that's a good question. It seems that the feedback rate for throttle/brake corrections through the computer are really not all that fast- they seem to work great when you're already being conservative with the throttle, but don't seem to respond quickly or effectively enough if you're determined to spin the tires.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this, particularly WRT modified/higher output engines? I'd love to dig into the architecture of the system, but I'm over in Truck Engineering...
Welcome aboard- it'll be a fun ride, whatever model you choose.
(Oh, and yes, any 300A order code 2003 model will NOT have the traction control- just as you surmised).