What ABS does for traction

[MikeNC]

I've done some reading on all the nuances between traction control and ABS, what they do for us when things get slippery, and how to deactivate (or sort of deactivate) them across 4L/4H/etc. I go to the beach pretty regularly, even tow a 5K RV. Every trip traction is a non issue. 4H, traction control off, drive. Last trip I buried in some and had to get yanks with the RV a few times. My theory is maybe I have one or many bad ABS wheel speed sensors. Had at least one caliper overheat due to brake issue. My theory is that ABS was the magic sauce that made my previous trips so easy. Just a sport/no lockers. Curious about others thoughts on this.

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[Mad Mac]

Traction Control is a poor man's locker.

When I first got my Gladiator
and went to the beach
I missed the shift to 4L.

That left me with the transfer case in neutral
and 2H. I was afraid to stop.

The Gladiator chugged slowly
through the deep sand
maxed out at 2,500 RPM.

Soon as I was clear of the worst of it
I got it sorted out
and went back through it
the right way.

 

[MikeNC]

I'll try and clarify what I think. I think that traction control uses the ABS wheel speed sensors and braking to function. Could be wrong. I also haven't quite figured out the nuances of 4L vs 4H. 4H seems to limit throttle even if traction control and ABS are off. 4L seems to still do it when in Drive (automatic) vs manual mode where there seems to be no throttle impact. It's still a mystery to me but trying to figure it out.

 

[Mad Mac]

Yes, Traction Control uses the ABS
to limit the wheel spin.

I can't speak to the throttle
other than throttle is limited
when Traction Control is on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Your TC and ABS work together.
They function as an electronic limited slip - BLD. If one wheel spins, that wheel is slowed by the system so all of the torque doesn't go to a wheel with no traction.
Torque is limited by TC - to help prevent breaking the tires free in poor traction scenarios.
A great example is a 4xe - you don't realize the full torque of the 4xe system unless you are in 4H auto in the transfer case. If you are in 4HA, then there are no limits - torque is fully realized.
I keep my wife's JLU Rubicon 4xe in 4HA all the time for two reasons -
No torque limiting
and
She can't handle the t-case shifting very well so it's just best to leave it there and tell her, rain or shine, ice or snow, deep and fluffy or whatever, it's ready to go.
I also find that the system doesn't really limit torque in my JT when it's in 4 high auto. There's less hesitation taking off and the throttle is a bit more responsive.
That's because in 4HA, the clutch packs are locked when you are stopped but in drive. They gradually release as speed increases unless you nail the throttle then it starts applying the clutches to lock it again.

 

[MikeNC]

Appreciate the discussion. With an auto - in 4H there are 2 separate modes. One where you can disable TC and the other you can long press and disable the ABS too. Anybody know what the impacts of these are and why throttle is still limited at least on mine? In 4L it seems there are different actions where in auto there is still throttle limits even though TC is off but in manual it seems not. I'm just trying to get this mentally sorted to help me isolate why I struggled some.

 

[Hunter#1]

Question. In my old 2012 Jeep Liberty 4 x 4 I turned the TC off when I took her on the beach in 4 H for fishing. I do the same with the 2023 Glad gas job auto trans. Should I continue to turn TC off when driving in the beach sand or leave it on. I use 4H for the beach and lower the tire psi to 18 psi ? Thanks

 

[Bear Hunter]

I have a 21 Willy's. It does have limited slip in rear but no lockers. I have found in 4 low that the abs works amazing. If you allow it to work it will get power to whatever wheel needs it and I have made it through some stuff with only one front wheel on the. ground.

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