How necessary is traction control?

[wannabe]

My question is exactly the same as my topic. I live in Chicago, and we get some real winters here, including ice and snow. I'm looking at a Camaro that does NOT have the optional traction control system, and I want to know how much it would actually help anyway. Please note that I'll be using snow tires between November and March.

Edit: The car is a 5-speed.

[ May 04, 2004, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: wannabe ]

[John D.]

I've been through many winters here in Ohio without traction control. I don't think it's necessary at all. If you are a good driver and know your cars limits then you shouldn't ever need it.

[Dekay]

I've had my car for 5yrs I've NEVER used traction control. It's absolutely useless.

[Jaymatic]

If it's an automatic and does not have traction control then it probably has a Second Gear Start switch. That is your traction control. I have never used it, but I have never dirven in a hardcore snow storm with my Camaro either.

[ellik]

I use the 2nd gear start feature in the bad weather here in pittsburgh, and I love it. Cuts power back to where you can get traction from a start. the traction control is a later feature, and I cant vouch for it. I would suggest the second gear start if its going to be your daily driver in the snow.

[smiley49]

the traction control turns on automatically when you start the car. I usually turn it off unless I forget. One day in the rain, I decided to leave it on and noticed that my car didn't drift side to side while on the highway as much as it usually did. I see a difference with it, or maybe I just need a new alignment...

[wannabe]

But will I regret getting a car that doesn't have the feature? Since it's a manual, I can just start in second or third gear myself in the snow.

[chadder]

do not drive with second gear start on constantly! one of my buddies with a 97RS thought that it was his traction control and it ruined his second gear start and somehow overheated(???) his car. but he had to get some stuff replaced. So just turn it on before ya start up, then turn it off once ya get going.

[V6Bob]

There's no simple answer. The following pairs of things make a difference in snow, and the better choice is first.

4WD, FWD
FWD, RWD
open differential, limited slip
real snow tires, all season tires
traction control, no traction control

Last year I got caught in a freak Spring snowstorm. At one point I very nearly got stuck. I think traction control saved me there. But I was on all season tires. Had I had real snows they probably would have saved me as well. Had we been driving my wifes FWD car with real snows I wouldn't have almost gotten stuck. Had I been in an f-body with all seasons and no TC or limited slip I would definitely have been stuck - late at night, no cell phone, and probably all the tow truck guys real busy.

TC will make a difference but no one can tell you how to decide if it's a must have thing. In any event, in Chicago I'd have an extra set of wheels with four real snows (it's nice to have a prayer of turning and/or stopping) for the winter.

[ May 05, 2004, 02:27 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[LD]

I drove all last year in MI with traction control on. I can't say that it saved me from wrecking or anything, but it sure helped when taking off from the following,
icy intersections
slippery hills
it helped me a couple times getting on the highway (when I got into upper rpms it started to break loose without me realizing it and the tc stopped it)
When I got stuck in my driveway it helped also.

in conclusion from someone driving in nasty winters with tc on and off:
is it neccessary? no
is it helpful? yes

[Justin Kirkham]

I wish I had one or either of the stated above....

-Justin

[UNFNick2k]

I do fine and better then most cars in the snow with my 5 speed but i also have a limited slip differential which saves me a lot. traction control is useless if you have a stick you should be able to know and feel how the car is reacting and from there provide the correct input.

[ellik]

if its a 5-speed, buy yourself a set of nice 17's and stick the stock 16's in the garage w/ a good set of snow tires for winter and forget about it.

[CamaroRob97]

Did everyone forget about the Winter Beater?

[Denis]

Originally posted by CamaroRob97:
Did everyone forget about the Winter Beater?

2 cars? I think most folks on this board can barely afford one!