Traction Control

[beeker356]

Since this is the first time I have had my 2010 Sierra out in the snow I have experienced the effects of the traction control first hand. While driving in the snow I realized that the traction control actually just limits the power output of the engine when it kicks in. I know that the whole point of the traction control is to prevent the tires from spinning but even when I turned it off manually it still kicked in once and a while when I was slipping and trying to get going. Is this normal? I was also just checking to see if you guys keep it On or Off when you are in 4x4 in the snow?

 

Josh

[nickvrebel]

was it traction control or stabilitrac?

 

traction control will limit throttle, stabilitrac will mess with your brakes to keep you going in a straight line.

to disable stabilitrac press and hold the traction control button until "stabilitrac disabled" shows in the display center (takes about 10 seconds).

 

I live in the south (the real south), therefore my truck is unlikely to ever see snow, but on wet dirt roads (mud) I leave that stuff on until I need to climb a hill, then it just gets in the way.

[Brogan]

I never turn mine off (the amber light on the cluster drives me nuts), the auto 4wd seems to work well on its own and rarely (if ever) does the traction control kick in with it on.

 

On a side note... had my wife's Mazda3 in a snow covered parking lot today doing reverse donuts... could only get about 2 revolutions in before the traction control kicked in

[oldmann]

The traction control also limits wheel spin by applying the brakes. So far I hate it. Much slower than just spinning. I like the stabilitrac a little. Just bounces my passengers around when a slide would be more controlled and smooth at low speed like after a stop sign. St works good at higher speeds to keep me straight.

[ChevyTech77]

Since this is the first time I have had my 2010 Sierra out in the snow I have experienced the effects of the traction control first hand. While driving in the snow I realized that the traction control actually just limits the power output of the engine when it kicks in. I know that the whole point of the traction control is to prevent the tires from spinning but even when I turned it off manually it still kicked in once and a while when I was slipping and trying to get going. Is this normal? I was also just checking to see if you guys keep it On or Off when you are in 4x4 in the snow?

 

Josh

 

Traction and stability control work together to keep the truck going in the direction that the driver wants the vehicle to go. ABS has been doing the same thing sense the 80's.

 

Both traction and stability are not disabled unless you press and hold the disable switch for 5 seconds. Refer to your owners manual.

[JB Z71]

I don't like how the traction control feels when it kicks in either. I prefer the spinning wheel and counter steer. I wonder if that is something a blackbear tune could remove. Or better reverse the switch so it is off by default.

 

Sometimes technology is good. But I like knowing the limits of my truck and how to get it back under control if they are surpassed. It keeps me alert. I don't like a spongy computer feeling thing doing it for me.

 

Kind of like the auto headlight thing too. I hate it. THe only thing it accomplishes is to make people lazy and forget to turn on headlights when they get in a car without them.

[nick3941sd]

When TC kicks in is it just the truck cutting power or are the brakes also kicking in? I know for ST the individual brakes kicking in to straighten out the truck.

 

A family member had his tranny rebuilt on his monte carlo and the guy at the shop told him that things like TC in newer vehicles are eating up the trannys and causing a lower lifespan out of them.

 

I dont really believe it but would there be any thuth to this?

[ChevyTech77]

I don't like how the traction control feels when it kicks in either. I prefer the spinning wheel and counter steer. I wonder if that is something a blackbear tune could remove. Or better reverse the switch so it is off by default.

 

Sometimes technology is good. But I like knowing the limits of my truck and how to get it back under control if they are surpassed. It keeps me alert. I don't like a spongy computer feeling thing doing it for me.

 

Kind of like the auto headlight thing too. I hate it. THe only thing it accomplishes is to make people lazy and forget to turn on headlights when they get in a car without them.

While I agree with you to a point, the federal government mandated the use of these systems so the manufacture's hands are tied. No way to completely disable the system, that I know of. I personally find the systems very usefull and even a seasoned test engineer has a hard time over-thinking these systems on the test tracks so I'm ok with them being there. Complete system disable can be had via pushing and holding the dash mounted switch for five seconds after every ignition on cycle.

 

When TC kicks in is it just the truck cutting power or are the brakes also kicking in? I know for ST the individual brakes kicking in to straighten out the truck.

 

A family member had his tranny rebuilt on his monte carlo and the guy at the shop told him that things like TC in newer vehicles are eating up the trannys and causing a lower lifespan out of them.

 

I dont really believe it but would there be any thuth to this?

 

Traction control takes mulitple routes to control the loss of positive wheel slip (spin). Torque reduction is the main one which includes throttle closure, brake apply, spark timing changes and cylinder deactivation (if model is equipped). Most noticable to the driver is the throttle closing.

 

Stability control uses many of the same things to also control the vehicle.

 

As for trans life being reduced? I haven't seen any proof of that but a constant loading and unloading of internal trans parts could be an issue I guess.