is traction control dangerous?

[cooperplace]

a while I was at an intersection in our 3.2 manual NS, waiting to turn right across the front of oncoming traffic. Seeing a gap, I gunned the engine and dropped the clutch. In 2WD. Rear wheels chirped, the car lost power, and lurched forward into the path of the oncoming traffic. Luckily the 50-tonne road train was able to stop in time.

Obviously my impatience contributed, lesson learnt; but is there anything that can be done other than use 4WD?

[Quadcam]

a while I was at an intersection in our 3.2 manual NS, waiting to turn right across the front of oncoming traffic. Seeing a gap, I gunned the engine and dropped the clutch. In 2WD. Rear wheels chirped, the car lost power, and lurched forward into the path of the oncoming traffic. Luckily the 50-tonne road train was able to stop in time.

Obviously my impatience contributed, lesson learnt; but is there anything that can be done other than use 4WD?

If you think you are going to be doing a high powered take-off in 2wd you can turn the ASC off. This switches the TC to brake control only with no power reduction. But if you do this in the wet be prepared to catch the sideways power slide.

But personally I find it easier to leave it in 4H.

[cooperplace]

But personally I find it easier to leave it in 4H.

yes, 100% right.

[Silver Streak]

a while I was at an intersection in our 3.2 manual NS, waiting to turn right across the front of oncoming traffic. Seeing a gap, I gunned the engine and dropped the clutch. In 2WD. Rear wheels chirped, the car lost power, and lurched forward into the path of the oncoming traffic. Luckily the 50-tonne road train was able to stop in time.

Obviously my impatience contributed, lesson learnt; but is there anything that can be done other than use 4WD?

Errr, maybe I should say something stupid here, but maybe change your driving habits, so you don't have to gun it, so you're lighting up the the rears. Leave that to the bogan Commodore drivers...lol.

[edit] I did re-read your post, and I guess having a manual probably makes a difference, because you have to drop the clutch, as against steady but firm throttle with the auto.

[Stroker]

Hi Cooperplace

Where your front wheels turned when you span the rears. I can't vouch for the NS but on a NP it compounds the "no drive" situation massively.
I,ve nearly been cleaned up twice because of this scenario

Cheers Glenn

[matthewfnorbert]

in the wet run in 4 high

if ASC is reducing power in the dry you may be driving way to aggressively

[Silver Streak]

Maybe I should try it, before I comment too much. I've only had the tyres "chirp" once, in the dry, and I didn't notice any power loss, but it may be slightly different with the NT??

[4ePikanini]

luckily mine is a 2001 with no TC but it has rear diff lock and a LSD at the rear.

2H or 4H - Just poot foot - although mine is auto so chirps in a straight line is non existent!

[cooperplace]

these are all fair points, and I freely admit to my stupidity being a factor. I'll use 4WD in future in these situations.

I also have a bog-standard magna, and it would have been through the gap about 10 times, just with a slight push of the accelerator.....

[apsilon]

IMO the traction control is far too agressive. Sydney peak hour traffic is such that often the only way into traffic flow is to take a gap and that can mean some decent acceleration yet if the tyres scramble for grip (I'm not talking outright spinning, just borderline edge of traction) the TC cuts power but only after it's had time to stick the nose of the vehicle into traffic.

I've learnt to compensate for it and wet weather means 4H for sure but IMO the fact remains that the system is too agressive and for someone accustomed to other vehicles, that can present a danger.

[VR4hore]

I tell you what, that traction control power drop and the freakin' slow reponse from the accelerator really shit me to tears. So many times I've been caught the same way, going for a break in traffic only to crawl out!

It's almost like you have to sit there stalling up the converter before you go just to when you tell the car to move, it actually moves!

I've seen these little modules for sale that are supposed to sharpen up the accelerator response, anyone had real world experience with them?

[sharkcaver]

I tell you what, that traction control power drop and the freakin' slow reponse from the accelerator really shit me to tears. So many times I've been caught the same way, going for a break in traffic only to crawl out!
I've seen these little modules for sale that are supposed to sharpen up the accelerator response, anyone had real world experience with them?

A flick of the asc switch will "sharpen" throttle response for free and save you the tears (up to 80Km/h anyway)
as stated in the 2nd post of the thread.

Shane.

[apsilon]

That's another annoyance, you can't turn off ASC while the vehicle is in motion. First vehicle I've ever come across that.

[Aussie_Dan]

That's another annoyance, you can't turn off ASC while the vehicle is in motion. First vehicle I've ever come across that.

I can on my NP. Just gotta be traveling slower than 40KPH from what i remember....
This may have changed for the NS onwards though?
Dan.

[JoshF]

I still think using 4H is the answer to any issue regarding breaking traction and traction control issues. I haven't seen any real impact to running costs to say you can't do this all the time.