"Sean Donaher" <nospam@nospam.ca> wrote in message news:<0Gyyb.1635$IF6.85433@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>...
> "Don" <engguy58@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:508bb6e7.0311301703.3e6e7bae@posting.google.c om...
> > "Sean Donaher" <nospam@nospam.ca> wrote in message
> news:<i_ayb.662$IF6.46731@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>...
> > > Don't drive like a retard during the winter and you won't need traction
> > > control. Take the money you saved by not buying the V6 and take some
> > > driving lessons. I've never talked to anyone who had traction control
> and
> > > liked it. All it does is trigger the rev limiter when the front wheels
> slip
> > > so you lose power. Christ, you can do that yourself, just take your
> foot
> > > off the gas a bit. There I just saved you a couple thousand bucks.
> > >
> > >
> > I drive a Saturn with traction control and it works well in snow.
> > Sean is wrong about "All it does is trigger the rev limiter when the
> > front wheels slip
> > so you lose power." Traction control also applies the brakes to the
> > slipping wheel so that the opposite wheel gains torque. You get
> > 2-wheel drive rather than one-wheel drive and that IS helpful in snow!
> >
> > Most Americans are ignorant about traction control. Front wheel drive
> > with traction control is almost as effective as 4 wheel drive, but
> > without the high center of gravity and the weight of another drive
> > train. And yes, some of us think that even a small improvement in gas
> > mileage is important. So traction control isn't just for "retards."
>
> When I did I ever say I was an American? I'm Canadian, so I know what I'm
> talking about when it comes to snow. Also, why do you think that almost
> every car with traction control has a button to turn it off? Maybe because
> the car companies realize that there are many situations where traction
> control is detrimental? Traction control is in the same league as ABS.
> Learn to drive properly, and you'll never need it.

My statement that most Americans are ignorant about traction control
still stands. It was not a reflection on Sean. I'm sure Canadians,
in general, are more informed than Americans on this issue.

Imagine the right side of a car is stuck in a snow bank and the left
side is on bare pavement. Most cars will just spin the wheel in the
snow. A car with traction control will apply the brakes to the
spinning wheel. The other wheel gets the torque and you get the car
moving. How is that a bad thing?

As for the turn off switch, if both wheels are stuck, you can turn off
the traction control to achieve a "rocking" action to help get your
car free. Also, perhaps some people like to spin their tires. But
overall, traction control and ABS are worth the extra cost.