Help me understand traction control

[Johnson4]

Just to clarify further, this button in pre-MY2012 cars is a misnomer. It disables traction control only, and does nothing whatsoever to the ESP system. In MY2012+ cars it can be used to disable the ESP also (holding the button for 4+ seconds), but the ESP will be re-enabled immediately if the car detects ESP intervention would otherwise be required and you apply the brakes.

So, Adam, would it be right to say that it's "safe" to engage that button in a 2010 GTI? I absolutely hate the way my car shudders when accelerating -- if wheel spin occurs, I'd much rather adjust the throttle myself. But I'm not going to do anything that endangers me or my passengers!

[Ryan_R]

If you drive carefully (esp in the wet) then it should be fine. If you want to discover the limits of adhesion just make sure there is plenty of room all around incase you get it wrong

[Tobes_WIR35]

People survived before traction control and electronic stability programs guys (or so I am told...) haha.

The GTI has such a good diff that the torque steer is very manageable, even in the wet with TCS off and an extra 120Nm of torque.

[AdamD]

So, Adam, would it be right to say that it's "safe" to engage that button in a 2010 GTI? I absolutely hate the way my car shudders when accelerating -- if wheel spin occurs, I'd much rather adjust the throttle myself. But I'm not going to do anything that endangers me or my passengers!

Turning off traction control is certainly not going to endanger your passengers. It's a safety system inasmuch as it works to maintain adhesion between the tyres and the road surface under acceleration (which allows for greater control over the steering), but unless you're being a clown the safety benefit of the added traction in such conditions is marginal in my opinion. Just use the throttle judiciously, and don't go overboard with full throttle in the middle of any 2nd gear corners or you'll get quite a bit of understeer.

If you've not experienced the car's dynamics beyond the limit before, as Ryan suggested, find a very wide and very deserted road in the wet, and try some heavy-handed throttle applications at low speed. Or better yet, find yourself a skidpan.