Just a point on the terminology:
TC (Traction Control)is there to stop a spinning wheel from reducing total torque on that axle to zero. It works much like difflock. It cannot be switched on and off. Anti skid however is what you are talking about and there is a switch on the centre console that can switch this off. Low range selection also switches anti skid off. Keep skid control on unless low tyre presure and some sandy roads causes wheelspeed variation that are misinterpreted as a skid.
Just a point on the terminology:
TC (Traction Control)is there to stop a spinning wheel from reducing total torque on that axle to zero. It works much like difflock. It cannot be switched on and off. Anti skid however is what you are talking about and there is a switch on the centre console that can switch this off. Low range selection also switches anti skid off. Keep skid control on unless low tyre presure and some sandy roads causes wheelspeed variation that are misinterpreted as a skid.
TC (Traction Control)is there to stop a spinning wheel from reducing total torque on that axle to zero. It works much like difflock. It cannot be switched on and off. Anti skid however is what you are talking about and there is a switch on the centre console that can switch this off. Low range selection also switches anti skid off. Keep skid control on unless low tyre presure and some sandy roads causes wheelspeed variation that are misinterpreted as a skid.
Willie from Jo'burg
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
Bigwill,
Quite correct and thanks for the reminder, but I think we were talking in general terminology about the correct aspects.
Traction control (T/C) is only concerned with relative wheel speed and applies the required wheel brake. This allows power to be delivered to the wheels with traction across the open diffs.
Skid Control (S/C) reads from more sensors and takes into account the vehicle attitude, steering direction, lateral acceleration etc. When it registers loss of directional stability the system will apply the wheel brake to the required wheel(s) AND reduce the engine power. That is why one should deactivate the S/C when negotiating thick sand. It is not desirable to have a reduction in engine power while storming a dune
.
Quite correct and thanks for the reminder, but I think we were talking in general terminology about the correct aspects.
Traction control (T/C) is only concerned with relative wheel speed and applies the required wheel brake. This allows power to be delivered to the wheels with traction across the open diffs.
Skid Control (S/C) reads from more sensors and takes into account the vehicle attitude, steering direction, lateral acceleration etc. When it registers loss of directional stability the system will apply the wheel brake to the required wheel(s) AND reduce the engine power. That is why one should deactivate the S/C when negotiating thick sand. It is not desirable to have a reduction in engine power while storming a dune
. The GLX sold in SA during 2005 has a difflock (you should find a difflock switch on the dash or cetral console) and do not have Traction Control nor Stability control. TC and SC come together. That is one of the features that made the GLX less expensine than the GLS. Others were no mags, unpainted bumpers and no side steps. Price difference if I remember correctly was about R100.000,00
Willie from Jo'burg
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
I have a Pajero Sport, and it has no TC or SC what so ever that I know of. I travel a bit if gravel and I select 4H centre diff open, and travel between at a comfortable speed to almost a bit to quick. Never have I thought that I need TC, tyre pressure dropped must obviously help. Pikanini mentioned that the guys with TC did better than him on a 4x4 event. I experienced the opposite this last trip. crossing an axel twister apporoaching a steap uphill climb very loose and fine sand. As we go over the last twister half way through one needed to have more momentum and step on the feul pedal a bit harder. Now the Tc Pajero started spinning on thetwister and bounced around a bit, second try he started increaing speed only when he was off the twister and stood spinning for a second or two before the Tc kicked in and assisted. Myself i accelerated while still on the last twister like he did the first time and sailed up no spinning wheels what so ever. I am not saying Tc is not as good as Diff lock! in fact the safety it offers is second to none on road in wet and gravel...But! I felt that in that specific situation my Diff lock faired better. Just my 2c. 
PAJERO 3.2 LWB GEN 4 AUTO
Rocksliders|Roof Rack|Bash Plate|Suspension lift|Dual battery system|
Rocksliders|Roof Rack|Bash Plate|Suspension lift|Dual battery system|
Yes like so many things in life there are pro's and con's.Bostokkelos wrote: I felt that in that specific situation my Diff lock faired better. Just my 2c.
Difflock's pro is it does not allow any wheelspin before its activated whereas the TC lets the one wheel spin and only momentarily puts the brakes on for that wheel to transfer torque to the wheel with traction.
Traction Control's main pros are that it works for both front and rear wheels. So double the benefit. Its always there and does not have to be switched on by the driver. Difflock requires continues decisions by the driver as to when it should be on and when it should be off. If difflock is kept on all the time you have problems turning tight corners and damage may be caused on hard serfaces. As someone said before TC is technology in action and relieves the driver of some of his duties.
Willie from Jo'burg
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID