Motoring Buffs ... a question re Traction Control .... ?

Question

Been driving for many years now and recently got my first diesel car ( a Toyota Verson 2.2 ) with traction control. The traction control is by default always switched on but there is a prominent button to switch it off ( and then a warning light comes on ). My question is under what conditions would you switch traction control off? And is it true that fuel economy actually increases when traction control is off? Thanks ...

Answer 1

I can't think of any situation where you'd switch it off in normal driving. Mind you, if you went in for Top Gear style max-performance starts, then you would as you'd want to control the wheelspin yourself . . .

Won't make any economy difference.

Answer 2

I am unsure as to whether fuel economy is affected by the use of traction control but I can say that driving is much safer if it is switched on. Braking and quick change of direction is radically improved by traction control. Perhaps the only time you need to switch it off is when your car is standing in snow or muddy conditions when traction control would not help to allow you to extricate the car. I was fortunate this week to have been part of an Audi Experience Day where we were able to drive cars with traction control switched on and off and I can assure you that it was a more pleasurable driving experience when it remained on.

Answer 3

I think you could possibly turn it off when its lost its traction and is upside down in a ditch.

Answer 4

I think roger is confused between traction control and stability control.

Traction control only works at low speeds. What it does is sense excessive wheel spin, like when you are stuck in snow, and apply the brakes to that wheel so that the differential  transfers power to the other wheel.

Answer 5

The traction control has no effect on fuel consumption apart from lowering it slightly if you always do drag starts at lights and junctions. the only time that it helps to switch it off is when stuck in thick mud or snow when the usual type of traction control stops all power available at the driving wheels. There fore  turning it off will allow the wheels to spin and Scrabble for grip which might just keep you going.

Answer 6

In normal circumstances traction control makes no difference to driving or economy.  When it is on and the warning light is therefore off, you get a flashing warning light if it does anything.  In cities, I found that the only time it came on was if I went over a speed bump or a pothole while accelerating fairly hard.  What the TC does is to compare the speed of the left and right wheels, and if there is a sudden change between the two, it reduces power to get the grip back.  (When you go round a corner the speeds of the wheels is different but the change happens slowly).  If one wheel loses grip and spins even fractionally, then the difference between the wheels comes on fast.

In cities then leave it on.

In slippery conditions, like snow or mud then it will come on and help traction by reducing spinning of the wheels to allow then to grip.  Under those circumstances, give it some gas as then the tc will keep the power to the wheels optimal.  easing up may make the car stall.