Traction control on or off in snowy conditions?

[ShadowsPapa]

I think he's nut-shelled it -

Roads, snow, ice, patches, etc. - on. These are tall vehicle with tall tires (taller than SUVs and so on) and tall tires go better in snow, skinny tires do better in snow for that matter.

Deep snow - and for me that means 8" + - likely off so it doesn't bog down if you are going slow.
You'll know when you need to hit that button. Experience will tell you.

My experiences, anyway.
Snowy conditions - you need to define that as it means 100 different things to 100 different people here. Snowy is nothing at all to me. So what, you had 4-6" and a bit of wind and it's snowy, and you are on a road, big deal. Leave it on.
Going slow in deeper snow, maybe rock roads, whatever - then those experienced in DEEP snow will do what they need to keep things turning.

Sponsored

 

[sdtkeld]

Having driven a 1979 Ford Fairmont and a 1967 Ford Fairlane Coupe until the age of 25, and also driving a RX-8 and a Prius through awful blizzards in Minnesota (don’t ask), I’ve managed to drive through terrible weather with not the greatest winter handling cars. In fact, my Gladiator is the first four wheel drive car I have ever owned. A shovel, sand, and the trunk liner (if needed) have come in handy In my previous rides.
That being said, I greatly appreciate traction control as it gives me more time to focus on looking out for the other guy instead of driving off the road. Knock on wood, but I have never gone in the ditch nor gotten stuck on a city street. I’ve white knuckled it plenty of times, but I appreciate the confidence in staying on the road so I can watch out for all the 4wd’s sliding off it.

 

[NC_Overland]

I was pulling a trailer in the rain the other day and a few times when accelerating from a stop my rear tires spun. It was pretty remarkable how fast my traction control and stability control kicked it. It kicked in and corrected before I could even react to it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was pulling a trailer in the rain the other day and a few times when accelerating from a stop my rear tires spun. It was pretty remarkable how fast my traction control and stability control kicked it. It kicked in and corrected before I could even react to it.

That just convinces me mine is not working. I spun twice after a semi-ice weather event where they spread their brine out - the rear end kicked to the side and I literally had to let off the gas and try again. I could not take off quickly without spinning.
The dealer will be asked to check into it. When I can react faster than the truck at my age, it's pretty sad. The dash never even indicated traction control. My Silverado would blow this thing all to heck in that area.

 

[NC_Overland]

That just convinces me mine is not working. I spun twice after a semi-ice weather event where they spread their brine out - the rear end kicked to the side and I literally had to let off the gas and try again. I could not take off quickly without spinning.
The dealer will be asked to check into it. When I can react faster than the truck at my age, it's pretty sad. The dash never even indicated traction control. My Silverado would blow this thing all to heck in that area.

Yeah, a light flashes on the dash also.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, a light flashes on the dash also.

It should. It did on my Chevy and I believe it did on my JT when I first got it, but not since.

 

[Ryandidntdoit]

		What do you prefer?

I turn mine off. I prefer letting the wheels spin and giving myself the overall control instead. More of a comfort thing. Old trucks I grew up driving didn't have traction control, nor did I ever have 4 wheel drive until now with my JT.

 

[Minty JL]

I turn mine off. I prefer letting the wheels spin and giving myself the overall control instead. More of a comfort thing. Old trucks I grew up driving didn't have traction control, nor did I ever have 4 wheel drive until now with my JT.

I agree and I do the same!

I grew up learning to drive in the snow in Maine.......throttle modulation is key

 

[Vincent]

Where I live in northwest Indiana, we get all types of snow from lake-effect to system snow and ice, so it depends on the conditions. I usually turn off TC if snow is above halfway on the tire and I’m driving below 35mph, or uphill for momentum, otherwise, leaving it on unless I wanna do stupid stuff.

 

[Trippin01]

Can’t do a proper Drift with it on. I hate that useless feature, randomly cutting power is never good.

Sponsored