[Z06] What does traction control do exactly?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 20
From: Jupiter Florida
What does traction control do exactly?
Does the traction control on our z06's reduce the power going to the wheels once it senses traction is being lost? Is their an explanation anywhere that goes through the process?
jb
jb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 956
Likes: 5
From: Orlando FL
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system called
TCS that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that the rear wheels are spinning
too much or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the rear
brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the
throttle and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may re-engage the cruise control. See Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 158.
Page 279 here:
http://us.ard.yahoo.com/S=2023208430...tte_owners.pdf
Your vehicle has a traction control system called
TCS that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that the rear wheels are spinning
too much or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the rear
brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the
throttle and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may re-engage the cruise control. See Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 158.
Page 279 here:
http://us.ard.yahoo.com/S=2023208430...tte_owners.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
It also has the authority to remove ignition timing; that is a much faster acting strategy to reduce power. A combination of both is used depending on how much wheelspin there is and how long it is taking for the tires to re-hook.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
What it does exactly is that once it detects wheel spin by comparing the speed of the rear wheels with that of the front ones (gathered by looking at the ABS sensors in each wheel), it will physically close the throttle plate in your car, essentially doing what you would do if you wanted the tires to stop spinning: back off the gas.
It also has the authority to remove ignition timing; that is a much faster acting strategy to reduce power. A combination of both is used depending on how much wheelspin there is and how long it is taking for the tires to re-hook.
It also has the authority to remove ignition timing; that is a much faster acting strategy to reduce power. A combination of both is used depending on how much wheelspin there is and how long it is taking for the tires to re-hook.
Here is the description of operation from the 2008 Service Manual:
Traction Control System (TCS) (NW9)
When drive wheel slip is noted while the brake is not applied, the EBCM will enter traction control mode.
First, the EBCM requests the PCM to reduce the amount of torque to the drive wheels via the requested torque signal circuit. The PCM reduces torque to the drive wheels by retarding spark timing and turning off fuel injectors. The PCM reports the amount torque delivered to the drive wheels via the delivered torque signal circuit.
If the engine torque reduction does not eliminate drive wheel slip, the EBCM will actively apply the drive wheel brakes. During traction control braking, hydraulic pressure in each drive wheel circuit is controlled to prevent the drive wheels from slipping. The master cylinder isolation valve closes in order to isolate the master cylinder from the rest of the hydraulic system. The prime valve then opens in order to allow the pump to accumulate brake fluid in order to build hydraulic pressure for braking. The drive wheel inlet and outlet solenoid valves then open and close in order to perform the following functions:
- Pressure hold
- Pressure increase
- Pressure decrease
Bill
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
From: Fuquay Varina NC
- The traction control will let the rear tires spin much more than you might think. If you are in a really tight turn and you don't react quickly you can spin out if you add too much throttle.
- When the traction control engages it can feel like wheel hop.
I personally don't like the way it works. For aggressive driving I just turn it off, but it does require a different mind set.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 767
Likes: 0
True. But the car's computer can react much faster than you could, especially if you're busy talking on the phone, messing with the stereo, or checking out that hot blonde in the car next to you. If you're paying attention to your driving however, then you really don't need it. I prefer to use competitive mode unless it's raining.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
True. But the car's computer can react much faster than you could, especially if you're busy talking on the phone, messing with the stereo, or checking out that hot blonde in the car next to you. If you're paying attention to your driving however, then you really don't need it. I prefer to use competitive mode unless it's raining.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Also another question why do ppl put it in 3rd gear when they get out of the car would it slide ? with only hand brake on ? I would do that on a uphill or down hill but in parking lot it dosent make sense to me please explain
Last edited by Nasser666; Apr 30, 2010 at 12:03 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 5
From: Holly Ridge North Carolina
True. But the car's computer can react much faster than you could, especially if you're busy talking on the phone, messing with the stereo, or checking out that hot blonde in the car next to you. If you're paying attention to your driving however, then you really don't need it. I prefer to use competitive mode unless it's raining.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 105
From: Houston TX
In other words..... Traction control n active handling keep the divider n your car from meeting each other!! 
if you really don't care for electronic gizmos.... Then get some 18x12 wheels in the rear n get 345-35-18 MT ET streets n put an end to all traction issues!! Mine goes like a 4wd Evo.... Zero traction issues even from a 5mph roll!!
if you really don't care for electronic gizmos.... Then get some 18x12 wheels in the rear n get 345-35-18 MT ET streets n put an end to all traction issues!! Mine goes like a 4wd Evo.... Zero traction issues even from a 5mph roll!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
True. But the car's computer can react much faster than you could, especially if you're busy talking on the phone, messing with the stereo, or checking out that hot blonde in the car next to you. If you're paying attention to your driving however, then you really don't need it. I prefer to use competitive mode unless it's raining.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Competitive mode turns OFF traction control but keeps active handling turned ON.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
I use the handbrake with tranny in reverse.
