What is the official verdict on traction control?

BlackSVT · May 15, 2002

I think it originally came from wrk4svt in this thread SCC Traction Control Comments

focaljet-1 · May 15, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Does anyone know where the 20 mph figure(for brake cut-off)originated?<hr></blockquote>

SVT.

[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: wrcfan ]

Shogun · May 15, 2002

Well thanks for the info guys - after reading all of these posts and reviewing some of the other traction control threads, if I get my SVT, I am going to make sure there is NO traction control!

I think wrk4svt provided the best explanation of the SVT's traction control in this thread.

Unfortunately that means no heated seats and engine block heater (which in OR is really not necessary, but cool anyway, as you could always have a car that's warm and ready to go). Oh well, as OTTOMATIC said, I'll save that $375 and use it on other stuff - yeah, window tint's an excellent idea!

[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: Shogun ]

P-51 · May 15, 2002

Omni:

If most of your tire wear is coming from spinning, you need to learn to drive.

I know 95% of my tire wear comes from cornering, and no system can break the laws of physics here. Probably 4% comes from the occaisional brake lockup, and maybe 1% comes from spinning tires.

OmniFocus · May 15, 2002

McDude, I don't want you to get the wrong idea either. You are indeed welcome here, and we value your presense as an employee of one of Ford's suppliers. If you can hook us up with some details about this TC system, we WILL be greatful.

SVT has been able to give us a great deal of info already, but anything else certainly wouldn't hurt.

McDude · May 16, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by OmniFocus:
McDude, I don't want you to get the wrong idea.... If you can hook us up with some details about this TC system, we WILL be greatful.
<hr></blockquote>

Not in my lifetime.

OmniFocus · May 16, 2002

Just because a few of us gearheads find traction control a little too intrusive is no reason to get all mad. You must admit that it isn't for everybody, whether you like it or not. As long as you can engineer systems for family sedans, that is a great way to make money, but some of us don't want it, and it doesn't make us wrong. Sad but true!

[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: OmniFocus ]

Shogun · May 16, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by McDude:

Not in my lifetime.<hr></blockquote>

My only question is why?

It just doesn't make sense - you're the one that said you helped develop this system, yet you refuse to enlighten us to how it works. Instead, you've been extremely vague and only added to the confusion and misinformation about the FSVT's traction control, not to mention sniping at some of the members on the list.

If you have any *real* information to share with us, please do so, otherwise, don't add to the confusion...

Studly · May 16, 2002

If its even slightly similar to that monstrosity fitted to my 2.0 Focus then I want no part of it, that damn thing has nearly killed me on numerous occasions due to when it kicks in the car feels so bloody unstable. Does it really need to be so harsh? All I know is the damn thing is switched off the minute i settle down in the cab!

McDude · May 16, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Shogun:

My only question is why?

It just doesn't make sense - you're the one that said you helped develop this system,<hr></blockquote>

DID NOT. The Focus system was developed in Frankfurt, Germany. The components used in the Focus system are the same components that are used here in the states and developed here for cars manufactured for the North American car market.

<blockquote>quote:<hr>yet you refuse to enlighten us to how it works<hr></blockquote>

I've spent many years learning how it works and you want it condensed down to a few sentences...impossible for me.

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Instead, you've been extremely vague<hr></blockquote>

If I was vague it was because I didn't have an EXACT number for you. And rather than pull **** out of my *** like so many do here, I choose to place an X were I didn't know the exact number.

<blockquote>quote:<hr>and only added to the confusion and misinformation about the FSVT's traction control, not to mention sniping at some of the members on the list.<hr></blockquote>

There's a lot of that going on here.

<blockquote>quote:<hr>If you have any *real* information to share with us, please do so, otherwise, don't add to the confusion...<hr></blockquote>

And what would you consider *real* information?
I've previously posted..."ask me questions and I will do my best to get *real* answers"
What I've been getting is a bunch of know-it-alls trying to tell me how they think TC works.

[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: McDude ]

TW · May 16, 2002

The getrag has an open diff., traction control is provided by the engine/ ecu it cuts power. My probe has a limited slip, which puts open diff. probes to shame in both handling and cornering. Is there a LSD for the Getrag box that anyone knows of I have only been interested in the Focus for a few days and I plan to buy the SVT or a Mazda with in the next week so I am in the midst of a frenetic search.

OmniFocus · May 16, 2002

Fuji has produced an LSD for the competition package Focus. As of right now this isn't available to the public, but I personally expect to see it available sometime this year through some source. I haven't seen any official annoucements on its availability though, so if it doesn't become available, don't quote me on it!

McDude · May 16, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Studly:
If its even slightly similar to that monstrosity fitted to my 2.0 Focus then I want no part of it, that damn thing has nearly killed me on numerous occasions due to when it kicks in the car feels so bloody unstable. Does it really need to be so harsh? All I know is the damn thing is switched off the minute i settle down in the cab!<hr></blockquote>

OFF off? Or not really off? Or just kinda off?

Fat_D · May 16, 2002

OmniFocus,

What do you think a diff for the SVT would be worth as an aftermarket piece??

TW · May 16, 2002

Thanks for the lead Omnifocus, it's more than Iv'e got so far. Do you know how to contact Fuji?

TW · May 16, 2002

Thanks Omnifocus. Do you have an idea how to contact Fuji?

OmniFocus · May 16, 2002

Most LSDs go for $600-$1200. I'm not really even sure who Fuji is, or how to contact them. The staff of SVT probably has the closest ties with them.

ylrZX3 · May 16, 2002

McDude, I'm glad to see you holding your own. I for one appreciate your comments. I happen to have traction control on my soon to be delivered SVT. Primarily because I live in Oregon - lots of wet stuff. So I have a question. When you said that the TC acts like a LSD, does that mean that it will control only one of the traction tires, applying brake to the slippery side allowing more power to transfer to the tire with better traction? Anyways thats what I would think.

OmniFocus · May 16, 2002

Holding his own? Nobody attacked him!

Anyway, yes, braking the spinning wheel will transfer power to the wheel with grip. If you were to brake both wheels, your vehicle would slow down. It isn't as effective as a true LSD, but it is very effective.

Traction control is pretty darn cool for such a simple use of electronics!

OmniFocus · May 16, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by McDude:
BTW...Did you know that the TC system also acts as a Limited Slip Device? Probably not<hr></blockquote>

Yes I did, in fact you didn't explain anything that I didn't already know.

I KNOW how TC works, thanks. What we are ALL looking for are the specific functionals of the SVT Focus system, which it appears you are more than reluctant to help us with... Just "At X speed, Y works with switch off" vs "At X+20 speed, then Y works.... yada yada."

..and since I'm a tad steamed, I'll point out that I many of us don't care if the traction control we choose to badmouth feeds your family. I still dislike the fact it cannot be fully defeated, which is the only relevant part to this argument.

As far as tire wear goes, I guarantee 100% that I would have no gain in tire life by having this on my vehicle. If somebody is spinning their tires that often "by accident" then they need to educate their right foot. If ever my tires are spinning on the street, it is on purpose... but I would guess that less than .05% of my abusive tire wear comes from spinning tires.. The rest is the outside edge where the fabled traction control fairy can offer no help whatsoever.

What is the official verdict on traction control?

BlackSVT

focaljet-1

Shogun

P-51

OmniFocus

McDude

OmniFocus

Shogun

Studly

McDude

TW

OmniFocus

McDude

Fat_D

TW

TW

OmniFocus

ylrZX3

OmniFocus

OmniFocus

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