Support VWWC

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Thread: Help me understand traction control

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    14

    Help me understand traction control

    For the longest time I always assumed that slight juddering when the traction control light came on meant that my wheels were spinning a bit and then brake force was applied electronically to stop it. To elaborate what I thought is that the judder was the wheels breaking traction.

    The other day I decided to turn off the traction control to see how it would feel (I have done this on two occasions and oddly enough on both occasions I was turning while accelerating hard so the car was sliding somewhat, not a true indication of what its all about).

    To my surprise the car felt much smoother when changing gears (manual) and overall just a bit nicer even when driving normally. The biggest part that surprised me is that the car felt slower under hard acceleration but looked to have gotten up to speed quicker than normal. I was confused. The more I pushed it the smoother it felt, the judder was no longer there but I'm 100% certain that my wheels would have been spinning (stage 1 with torque arm insert).

    So what exactly is going on here? Is that judder Im feeling when the TC light comes on actually the brakes and not the wheels breaking traction? Is there any sort of electronic power cut that takes effect? Is the TC good enough to stop all wheel spin thereby also saving tyre tread wear or do the wheels still spin somewhat?

    If thats the case how much does the TC actually slow the car down by and is it potentially possible to get more out of the car by turning the TC off?

    Also why does the car feel smoother without the TC on even when driving normally in a way that would never spin the wheels? All in my head perhaps?

    Someone please educate me!
    Last edited by Justjuice; 03-09-2013 at 12:40 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    8,708
    Users Country Flag
    What model and year is your car?
    Any modifications other than stage 1 and the torque arm insert?

    I wouldn't turn off TC on a public road ever, the judder could be fixed by an anti-lift kit if it happens during accelleration.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,874
    I once asked a guy from Pedders about that, he said the car had a pretty dim-witted TCS which as you've already said just applies the brakes when the ABS sensor detects a loss of traction. The judder is usually the TCS/ABS (brakes go on/off/on/off/on/off, etc very quickly) instead of just limiting power output.

    Don't ever do a fast start with TCS off when the road is wet/slippery, you'll change lanes even with the wheel pointed straight.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    125
    Users Country Flag
    Are you guys sure thats how th traction control works?
    Maybe on a N/A, but the older 1.8T dumps boost pressure with the "N249" system. I can see this happening on my boost guage when the light is flashing, but it doesnt simply dump all boost. Boost guage jumps up and down constantly, would account for the pulsing feeling.

    Would assume the newer TFSIs have a similar system.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    14
    Thread Starter
    That's what I was thinking its doing, brakes on/off in rapid succession.

    Few more details, it's a 2010 gti. Only engine mods are the stage 1 tune and torque insert. Have PSS tyres on slightly wider than stock @ 235 too.

    Just gonna clarify its not axle tramp I'm talkin about as I still get that eventually with traction control on or off.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Epping, NSW
    Posts
    512
    Users Country Flag
    I thought it cut spark and fuel, the use of brakes is for the stability control (car sliding) rather than for breaking of traction under power in a straight line.
    ---
    Manual MY12 RB Golf R | Bluefin Stg2 | Milltek turbo-back

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,874
    That's generally how it works in expensive sports cars (and video games) hence the 'dim-witted' comment above.

    MK6 Golf's are TSI not TFSI btw.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Epping, NSW
    Posts
    512
    Users Country Flag
    Certainly in the R (tfsi) you can feel it cutting ignition(and presumably to avoid trashing the cat, fuel). That much power being attempted to be pulled back with brakes alone is guaranteed to shrapnel the driveline pretty quickly.
    ---
    Manual MY12 RB Golf R | Bluefin Stg2 | Milltek turbo-back

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,874
    Might be a difference with having 4motion as well.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Epping, NSW
    Posts
    512
    Users Country Flag

    Possibly, as you said, 2010 GTI=TSI, R=TFSI, different engine and thus different ecu. The R (2012 model anyway) has a 2 stage TC/ECS disable, so they are different features, I am sure the TC is done with engine power cut and ECS done with brakes.
    ---
    Manual MY12 RB Golf R | Bluefin Stg2 | Milltek turbo-back

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
| |