When to turn off traction control?

[LTC8K6]

I was really just playing when I did it.
The Pilot has a beast mode switch for when you get stuck. I only used it once in the snow and once to pull out a tree.
It only works in reverse and first. No turning the wheel. Press the button, and it locks the transfer case front to rear, and electrically locks the rear diff. Guaranteed 3 wheels FTW.

You can turn corners if you are on a slippery surface, I believe. You don't want to do it on a surface with a lot of traction where the wheels can't slip. With things locked, the wheels need to slip when you turn the vehicle, or you get binding in the driveline.

The traction and torque I have in my Jeep in 4 low is frightening. It feels like it would happily climb a tree.

 

[skyking]

states in the manual to not turn, regardless. And don't put it in that mode unless on a slippery surface. It has relative toothpicks for drivelines and joints.

 

[pauldun170]

On our 06 Mazda 6, I turn it off as soon as I get in the car.
The implementation in that generation sucks.
Pulling onto a busy road, hit some gravel and having the power robbed in fits stinks big time. It's FWD on public roads so wheelspin is fine.
It's not like its worth a damn in snow or ice. That's what tires are for.

My other car has nothing. Not even ABS.

For most people, they should just leave the system on and drive appropriately for public roads. Modern implementations are pretty good. At least so I hear...

 

[nerp]

Shortest answer: To spin the tires when needed.

 

[LTC8K6]

states in the manual to not turn, regardless. And don't put it in that mode unless on a slippery surface. It has relative toothpicks for drivelines and joints.

Yeah, with the diffs locked the wheels must be able to slip, so it's definitely restricted to slippery surfaces. The total turning restriction sounds odd, but I'll take your word for it.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I turn it off if I'm stuck in snow and need to rock the car. Otherwise, I don't see why I would turn it off because if I can't make it up a hill in a FWD car with snow tires when TC is on, then I should just turn around and go home.

 

[joutlaw]

I've noticed the traction control in my 2015 F-150 is much better than my wife's 2010 Accord. The Accord will kill engine power with any amount of wheel spin. I find the F-150 will selectively brake a spinning wheel while going straight, providing a LSD effect to some extent. However, if you are turning or it detects the back end coming around, it will cut power and correct.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

fwd car? Never
rwd car? Alot

 

[Fenixgoon]

autocrossing.

other than that, i keep it on.

 

[LTC8K6]

I've noticed the traction control in my 2015 F-150 is much better than my wife's 2010 Accord. The Accord will kill engine power with any amount of wheel spin. I find the F-150 will selectively brake a spinning wheel while going straight, providing a LSD effect to some extent. However, if you are turning or it detects the back end coming around, it will cut power and correct.

The cheaper systems that just use the brake to stop a slipping wheel are the systems that people hate, I believe.

The systems that can reduce power are much more effective and don't irritate the driver as much, imo.

My Jeep has a feature that is really useful in slippery conditions. It remaps the throttle curve so that you have very fine control over the throttle. It makes it much easier to get going.

 

[DietDrThunder]

I had to turn traction control off when the brake system control unit failed. Turning traction control off was the only way my car would shift out of first gear.

 

[Denly]

If you have to ask this question you may want to left it alone(ON). I always drive manual with proper tires, I turn it off when driving in snow/wet condition at speed under 60km(city), I left it on otherwise.