On a vehicle with automatic AWD (Ford Five Hundred), should I only use the TC button (Traction Control) in win

Question

...in winter or rain? Should the button be on with AWD additionally only in severe conditions? I am looking at vehicles right now and I notice some cars have AWD AND optional TC button... why?

Thanks

Answer 1

Traction control is engaged only when wheels start to loose traction (wheelspins at lights, snow, ice, water...). It has no effect when it's not needed.

TC button is usually there to switch the TC OFF..., not to switch it on. The reason is, as I said, under normal conditions, it just sits there and does nothing.

It would not spoil you driving, I have it in my FWD  Mazda3 always on an the only time it kicked in was when I had to make an emergency manouver while driving at 65 mph. My father has a AWD Mazdaspeed 6 and, normally, it would have to be h**l on wheels for the TC to kick in. It's engaged  only when the car is loosing traction, say you run onto a patch of ice in the corner that you couldn't possibly see.

Answer 2

I personally always leave it on in my vehicle because you will never know when you will need it and this is fine to do.........

Traction is the grip that your car’s tires have on the road, which is needed to accelerate, turn and brake.

If your car, or more specifically, your tires have little or no grip; your car will not accelerate, turn or brake and will skid.

Traction control devices in the car will help prevent this loss of grip so your tires will have traction to accelerate, turn and brake.