Surprising Advice re Traction Control

almillar

It's a matter of educating yourself - there's a reason why you can turn it off (and yes, you can turn it off, it's often ABS that won't switch off). Leave it on, unless you get stuck, is a good general rule. But the problem is that TC systems can be easily confused by the complete and utter lack of grip under the wheels, or massive difference between 2 wheels. If a wheel spins, they cut power, then release, wheel spins, cut, you get the idea, and you go nowhere. Switching it off, a good bit of clutch control in 4th gear or something, and maybe even a wee bit of wheelspin, could get you moving. Switch it back on again once moving though generally.

thescouselander

bob_a_builder wrote: »

doesn't the Bosch video indicate the opposite !

No. In the video the car has one wheel on snow/ice and one on a cleared bit of road - in that situation the TC would most likely work. If both the driven wheels were on ice or snow the TC might not be so effective and may prevent the car from starting off.

Weird_Nev

It depends entirely on the systems fitted to the car, and your driving experience.

As general advice "Turn traction control off in the snow" is spectacularly bad advice.

In fact, if you're not sure what Traction Control is doing ,how it operates and why on your specific vehicle, I'd suggest not switching it off at all.

The really quite basic Traction control on my 1997 BMW was remarkably good in last years snow. Just took it slow and steady and had no problems, with the TC light giving the odd wink. But then it's a throttle control system with individual brake activation for stability control.

As others have said, the 'we don't need no ABS or traction control' driving hero brigade really worry me. Along with seatbelts I think they're some of the most important developments in car safety. ABS has helped me avoid one nasty accident - on slush as it happens.

And I drove a New porsche boxster S on the Silverstone porsche centre track, on 10% grip surfaces and their 'ice hill'. A fantastic experience and left me in no doubt of the capabilities of state of the art traction control systems. A 320 bhp mid engined car with no grip taking exasive action: No problem with TC!

adamc260

My car doesnt have an off switch for ESP/TC so if I were to get stuck in snow, what would I do in that situation if it keeps cutting the power?

thescouselander

adamc260 wrote: »

My car doesnt have an off switch for ESP/TC so if I were to get stuck in snow, what would I do in that situation if it keeps cutting the power?

If your car doesn't have a switch does it even have ESP/TC fitted? To be honest all cars I've had with TC/ESP have had a switch.

adamc260

thescouselander wrote: »

If your car doesn't have a switch does it even have ESP/TC fitted? To be honest all cars I've had with TC/ESP have had a switch.

Yup it does have it, that's Ford for ya eh!

You can get a switch fitted but it's a process of removing most of the centre console to plug a wire in that is sat behind. Going to get my dad to do it, other people on ford forums have done it fine so will get him to do it since I know diddly squat about cars!

prowla

I've heard that in heavy snow it is better to turn off ABS...

Weird_Nev

adamc260 wrote: »

My car doesnt have an off switch for ESP/TC so if I were to get stuck in snow, what would I do in that situation if it keeps cutting the power?

If you really must ,you can pull the fuse that powers the Traction control system. Might not be the best idea though.
As said, disabling the TC might not actually help you - modern systems are generally very good, and also designed to cope with snow.

prowla wrote: »

I've heard that in heavy snow it is better to turn off ABS...

Not really ,no. Some cars ABS performs badly in low friction conditions ,engaging far too early. The theory (and it is only theory) is that allowing the wheels to lock will build a wedge of snow or gravel in front of them ,evenually stopping the car. Of course ,you lose directional control.
Again, I'd rather retain control, let the wheels roll and slow me as much as possible ,and keep the benfits of the electronic drivers aids.

'Turning off' ABS really is pulling a fuse. The only cars I know which had switchable ABS were the first Audi 80's to have it fitted.

adamc260

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy8jocfu0bg

Suppose that is an interesting video to watch!

andrew-the-cat

adamc260 wrote: »

Yup it does have it, that's Ford for ya eh!

You can get a switch fitted but it's a process of removing most of the centre console to plug a wire in that is sat behind. Going to get my dad to do it, other people on ford forums have done it fine so will get him to do it since I know diddly squat about cars!

If you know 'diddly squat' about cars, why do you want to disable a proven safety system? Plus, are you sure you don't have a button to turn it off? It could be literally anywhere, it could say anything, something like "ESP", "ESP OFF", "TCS", or a picture of a skidding car like mine is. I'm pretty damn sure you can turn it off on the Fiesta as they did it in the top gear episode where Jeremy is driving it through a shopping centre. You might even have to do it through the onboard computer, that's how it is in my friends Volvo C30 (there is no dedicated button for it).

Traction control is great because it lets you accelerate without the risk of spinning your wheels excessively, and is very useful in rear wheel drive cars as it lets you take off hard without fishtailing.

ESP (electronic stability program) is easily one of the most important advancements in vehicle safety since the seat belt. If you had an accident and your insurance company found out you had knowing disabled a PROVEN safety system, they will not be pleased.

Weird_Nev wrote: »

If you really must ,you can pull the fuse that powers the Traction control system. Might not be the best idea though.
As said, disabling the TC might not actually help you - modern systems are generally very good, and also designed to cope with snow.

Not really ,no. Some cars ABS performs badly in low friction conditions ,engaging far too early. The theory (and it is only theory) is that allowing the wheels to lock will build a wedge of snow or gravel in front of them ,evenually stopping the car. Of course ,you lose directional control.
Again, I'd rather retain control, let the wheels roll and slow me as much as possible ,and keep the benfits of the electronic drivers aids.

'Turning off' ABS really is pulling a fuse. The only cars I know which had switchable ABS were the first Audi 80's to have it fitted.

Some very old 4x4 vehicles had a button to turn off ABS - but legislation brought in has banned that (and also ABS is mandatory standard equipment on all new cars since 2010 in the UK I think, the USA requires ESP on all cars from 2012).

Stop being fools and pulling out fuses, chances are if there's a fuse you can take out to disable the traction control then you will also lose the ABS, which you DO NOT want to do.