Traction Control Issue?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
Traction Control Issue?
I just bought my 98. Took it for a sping around the block. I was going probably 25 mph and put it half way down. the rear kicked out. So I pushed the T/C button (Didnt know if it was on or off) and it did the same thing.
It was only about 45 degrees out. Tires just as cold. And its putting a good 400 rwhp down.
Is this normal? I dont know how the T/C works on these cars. Or what the Active handling is supposed to do.
It was only about 45 degrees out. Tires just as cold. And its putting a good 400 rwhp down.
Is this normal? I dont know how the T/C works on these cars. Or what the Active handling is supposed to do.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
I just bought my 98. Took it for a sping around the block. I was going probably 25 mph and put it half way down. the rear kicked out. So I pushed the T/C button (Didnt know if it was on or off) and it did the same thing.
It was only about 45 degrees out. Tires just as cold. And its putting a good 400 rwhp down.
Is this normal? I dont know how the T/C works on these cars. Or what the Active handling is supposed to do.
It was only about 45 degrees out. Tires just as cold. And its putting a good 400 rwhp down.
Is this normal? I dont know how the T/C works on these cars. Or what the Active handling is supposed to do.
1) What kind of tires do you have, what are the miles on them and how old are they?
2) M6 or A4?
3) What are the mods to the engine and drivetrain? Do you have a dyno sheet?
4) Are you sure you have Active Handling? It was an option that was initially offered in late 1998. To engage Generation 1 Active Handling, you must be stopped and hold the button down for 5 seconds. If you do have it, I'll send you a write-up on some nuances on it.
Cold roads, cold tires, cold air and the things mentioned above, make a huge traction difference on these cars. Enjoy!
Ed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
1)Goodyear F1's mileage dont know. but they arent bad looking. seem pretty new.
2)a4
3)intake, intake mani, heads, headers, full exhaust, 3.42 rear end, 3000 stall, etc etc. (previous owner has the sheet)
4)Not sure about active handling. But I still have Traction control right? would it have kicked in for my instance? I read the owners manual but dont quite understand how it all works. If the Light is on my wheels will still spin. if the light is off, it will help me get traction? Does it tell you in the DIC or just if the light, lights up.
And I figured the enviroment had a lot to do with it. I just wasnt sure when TC is supposed to kick in, and if it does, how it reacts.
2)a4
3)intake, intake mani, heads, headers, full exhaust, 3.42 rear end, 3000 stall, etc etc. (previous owner has the sheet)
4)Not sure about active handling. But I still have Traction control right? would it have kicked in for my instance? I read the owners manual but dont quite understand how it all works. If the Light is on my wheels will still spin. if the light is off, it will help me get traction? Does it tell you in the DIC or just if the light, lights up.
And I figured the enviroment had a lot to do with it. I just wasnt sure when TC is supposed to kick in, and if it does, how it reacts.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Georgia
I my '01 traction control is always on unless you push the button to turn it off. Although when its on It will still slip for certain amount of time till the traction control system kicks in then tires will grab and not slip, even under heavy throttle. Just be careful none the less.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
The DIC will display "Traction Control Active"when it's doing it's job.
With the TC working correctly,the rear end will kick out just a bit before it begins controlling the wheel spin.
The only time I see the light on the dash is when I manually turn the TC "off"
With the TC working correctly,the rear end will kick out just a bit before it begins controlling the wheel spin.
The only time I see the light on the dash is when I manually turn the TC "off"
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The traction control and Active Handling are normally supposed to remain turned on. If you deliberately turn them off, then you deal with the consequences of your actions and know that there's not a system out there that will fix something you've induced on purpose to the extent that it sounds like you might have done. The system is designed to help prevent "fish-tailing" due to the fact that this is a powerful, rear-wheel driven car. From your description, it sort of sounds like you induced the slide with the system disabled, then turned it on hoping it would fix whatever you did. Its not perfect and I would suspect that in the middle of a slide, turning it on, its not going to be effective. Please correct me if I'm wrong in what I read or read into your post.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
no. I wanted to see how TC worked on these cars. So I got the rear end to kick out.
Then I was driving again say...2 minutes later. Pressed the TC button. and kicked the rear end out again.
I was never in an "Oh ****" moment then pressed the button during the "oh ****" moment hoping something would happen
It was the same as the first time. Maybe I just didnt let it go far enough to where the TC thought it needed to kick in.
I like knowing how my car/toys work. its better to do things like this before something happens and you dont know whats going on. Just like with my sport bikes. I push a lot of them so I know what they will do in certian events.
Then I was driving again say...2 minutes later. Pressed the TC button. and kicked the rear end out again.
I was never in an "Oh ****" moment then pressed the button during the "oh ****" moment hoping something would happen
It was the same as the first time. Maybe I just didnt let it go far enough to where the TC thought it needed to kick in.
I like knowing how my car/toys work. its better to do things like this before something happens and you dont know whats going on. Just like with my sport bikes. I push a lot of them so I know what they will do in certian events.
