Traction Control Off

MikeD940 · January 30, 2011

This is my first silverado with a traction control button(2010). My truck got its first real test in the snow this past week and I was actually a little disapointd when i got stuck in some deep snow while in 4x4. I went home after getting stuck(I eventually got out after a little digging), and read the manual,to my surprise it tells you to turn the traction control OFF in deep snow, mud or sand. I ventured back out in the snow with it OFF and I went right through it, who would ever think you would want traction control off in snow(deep).I also learned that you can turn BOTH Traction Control AND Stabilitrack OFF by holding the button in for 5 seconds, although it says to leave the Stabilitrack on in any snow conditions. I never knew that button controlled 2 systems Stabilitrack AND Traction Control.

[email protected] · January 30, 2011

Traction control is no good on anything but pavement., and if you're a good driver you don't need it then. It doesn't actually control traction, but instead cuts throttle to prevent, wheel spin, which is needed in conditions like this to keep going.

MikeD940 · January 30, 2011

It should be called Throttle control, not traction.

[email protected] · January 30, 2011

Well electronic throttle control is a whole other thing, that would confuse people.

BlackZ71Silverado · January 30, 2011

I always turn my traction control off. I never had it before and don't really see a need for it now. I do appreciate the stabilitrac though, I always keep that on.

oldmann · January 30, 2011

Same here. All tc does is get you in trouble. Like when entering a roads. I have if floored and the thing does not move. Very very frustrating. St is cool because it reacts to the road for me.

MikeD940 · January 30, 2011

Same here none of my other trucks had it and they never gave me a problem in the snow, so far the consensus is Traction control = Bad..........Stabilitrack= Good. In snow that is.

[email protected] · January 30, 2011

^^^exactly, unless you wanna play around then ST also = bad.

Snow White · January 30, 2011

tc can be handy if you are in 2wd and trying to go from a stop light and it breaks lose when you weren't expecting it too... I was on 91 the other day and apparently it flash froze (thus the reason the fullsize van was facing the opposite direction) and when i stepped on the gas, ever so slightly the tc detected the wheel spin immediately and regulated the throttle, in this case i didn't expect there to be an issue so it was nice.

amc31b · January 30, 2011

This is good information, thanks guys! I had a hard time getting out of my driveway the other way after we got 16" of snow. I am going to try turning TC off next time and see how it does.

MikeD940 · January 30, 2011

This is good information, thanks guys! I had a hard time getting out of my driveway the other way after we got 16" of snow. I am going to try turning TC off next time and see how it does.

You def. notice a difference

the blur · January 30, 2011

My AWD Denali goes though 2' of snow, no problems. While my neigbor with a newish Tahoe has a hard time driving down our shared driveway. And he has the Z71 suspension package. and I have the cush cush denali. I don't get it. We thought his truck would be far superiour.

MikeD940 · January 30, 2011

My AWD Denali goes though 2' of snow, no problems. While my neigbor with a newish Tahoe has a had time driving down our shared driveway. And he has the Z71 suspension package. and I have the cush cush denali. I don't get it. We thought his truck would be far superiour.

Tell him to try turning off the traction control

SouthCo · January 30, 2011

My AWD Denali goes though 2' of snow, no problems. While my neigbor with a newish Tahoe has a hard time driving down our shared driveway. And he has the Z71 suspension package. and I have the cush cush denali. I don't get it. We thought his truck would be far superiour.

I find that hard to believe. I have both the Sierra and a Yukon Denail, and the Denali is no where near as capable as the Sierra. Maybe your neighbor can't drive? I also have a '03 Tahoe that is also more capable in snow than the Denali. I love the Denali for raw power on pavement but it can't out perform on anything other than pavement (and wet pavement).