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View Full Version : Leaving stock traction control on - better mpg?

hadyn
09-08-05, 20:23
Does leaving the stock traction control on when doing a-road driving actually give you slightly better mpg?
dangerous brain
09-08-05, 20:26
Can't see how it would. Stock traction allows my car to do a full 180 spin from standstill with full lock on so its not great and I can't see it having that much effect on fuel consumption, might save you some rubber but I wouldn't hope for too much on that score either.
hadyn
09-08-05, 20:29
Doesnt it reduce power by cutting fuel supply all the time to avoid wheelspin throughout the rev-range?(doesnt do a good job tho!)

Im asking this as my petrol seems to be lasting a bit longer this week with the Traction Control ON instead of having it usually switched OFF!
merckx
09-08-05, 20:35
If you're driving very carefully with a light foot then the traction control doesn't operate.

The light comes on when the traction control cuts in.
hadyn
09-08-05, 20:39
May be in my head but the car feels 'different'/less responsive with the trac control on??
dangerous brain
09-08-05, 20:41
um i don't think its cutting the power all the time in fact if anything it doesnt cut fuel in time and when it does it just cuts all of it. you may just be getting a better grade of fuel this last week or something.
merckx
09-08-05, 20:45
Yes, the standard traction control is crap.

Someone on here got a fright pulling out of a junction across a busy road when the TC control cut in . It's almost like the brakes coming on when you least need them.

RLTC is great, you feel so much safer!
b'have
09-08-05, 20:45
It doesn't cut fuel at all, it closes the trac butterfly that in effect shuts air supply to the engine. RLTC cuts fuel.
hadyn
09-08-05, 20:50
Right so it plays about with the throttle?Less throttle = less fuel used = better fuel economy surely?
RedM
09-08-05, 20:56
Haydn,

I've ben having similar thoughts but in the opposite direction. I've been driving around with TC off and I'm sure I'm getting more MPG.

If I could spell psychological I'd say thats what it is.
merckx
09-08-05, 21:06
Traction control is only in use when you're losing traction, you know when it's in operation.

If you're driving with a light foot, it doesn't matter if it's switched on or off as it doesn't come into play at all!