How necessary is traction control?

[V6Bob]

"Traction control is for people who dont have enough skill to keep their car under control in low traction condition."

Sure. People who don't have enough skill, like Michael Schumacher. Or a fighter pilot.

Computers can now do this stuff better than any person. Several years ago a F1 driver said that the guy first to the first corner was the guy who had the best computer programmer. And a modern fighter jet is in trouble if the computer crashes.

Traction control is a nice to have thing. You don't absolutely have to have it, but it's better to have it.

[ February 19, 2005, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[mjparme]

You don't need traction control to get around in the snow but I would highly recommend a limited-slip differential. A LSD with some snow tires and you will be getting around as good as anyone else.

I started out with an open diffy on my car for the first two winters and driving in the snow was always a little stressful and iffy. With my LSD this year driving in the snow is a non-issue.

However, a LSD, traction control, and a set of snow tires would be an optimal setup.

[mjparme]

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

I am going to add this post to my list of worse advice ever. Not the worst but defintely makes my top ten list of posts with horribly inaccurate information.

I guess next you will say ABS is worthless.

Is traction control absolutely necessary? No. However, it is a nice safety net to have in adverse conditions.

[vanbibber]

abs? whats that. my 3.4 didnt have that from last winter up till i traded it in! i was just lazy and didnt fix it though.

[HeadyFirebird'00]

I hate the TCS. I live near Chicago and i know what you mean about the weather. I have had better control with it off in the snow. I had it in when my car got buried. it didnt do ****! except pulse the engine. Its pointless.

[mjparme]

I have had better control with it off in the snow. I had it in when my car got buried. it didnt do ****! except pulse the engine. Its pointless.

Like any tool you have to know how to use it. Plus it is still limited by the laws of physics. If it is possible to get out of a situation the computer via traction control will get you out of it better than you yourself could.

[BiH]

Originally posted by 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.

:rolleyes: