Now that I've officially hit my second winter with my GT, I'm really starting to wonder if the traction control is all it's cracked up to be. There's been a few times that I started spinning, the T.C. came on, the engine started bogging down, the ABS started kicking in on the rear wheels, and then I was worse off than before. I let the wheels stop spinning, turned the T.C. off, let 'er rip and got out no problem. Is anyone else under the impression that traction control is actually doing more harm than good?
When its icy and youre doing stop and go, turn the TC off and start out no lower than 2nd gear, if youre on the highway or non stop and go above 40 turn the TC on, NEVER EVER down shift. Its not that hard, I dont even use winter tires just a 300 lb wieght in the trunk. Good luck though, TC works best in the rain and thats about it.
Traction control worked great for me in the snow. It worked without studs until about 2.5 inches. When it hit 3 or so I put the studs on.I would keep the motor bogging and with the studs I would creep out until I could move without heavy throttle.After about 4 inches driving the car was usless alltogether. Almost always keep it on in the rain( unless I want to play) cause you never know.My two cents.
TC is greay when you are already rolling. I've had my rear end kick out a few times in the rain and light snow and the TC kicked in and saved my ass.
I never really had the TC kick in at dead stops in the rain. If you drive right, you shouldn't really need it starting from a stop in the rain. It's just when you hit a slick spot when you are doing 25-30MPH that it kicks in and helps you.
In the snow, it's useless from a dead stop. It almost stalls the engine if you really get stuck. Just shut it off and burnout of where you are stuck. Now if you are doing 25+MPH consistently, leave it on. If your rear starts to come around, it will help you out there.
ABS is also great on these cars. It's one of the better systems i have experienced. It kicks in almost immediately and works well in the rain and snow.
WHen it's dry out, TC goes off. Damn thing bogs the car out too much on the 1-2 shift. Then again, my rear end steps out pretty far on the shift, so it's doing it's job technically.
This is gonna be my 3rd winter in my stang.
You see a layer of snow, you turn the Traction Controll OFF!
Once you start moving then the traction controll will become usefull, and even helpfull, but thats only when you get the stang up to regular cruising speed...
Dont depend on TC to help you move from a dead stop, it will only choke the engine till you feel like kicking the crap out of your car...