Nissan 370Z Forum - What exactly does traction control do?

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- - What exactly does traction control do? (http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivetrain/116461-what-exactly-does-traction-control-do.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill (Post 3547431)

When your wheels are slipping is it giving a traction notification (blinking yellow light)? If so I'm thinking your system is fine and is pulling power, could probably see it on a scan tool recording ign timing and throttle value pids while breaking traction. Traction control is a cause and effect system, meaning it needs to break traction before it will kick in, it isn't a pre active system that magically prevents you from ever breaking traction.

Had to go round and round with a customer on a new vette about this, reading him the manual on system operation and even bringing out a gm field engineer and waste everyone's time for something that was 100% normal. Wanted to tell him if you never wanted to break traction then why did you buy a massive hp and toque v8 sports car? Just get a Cruze and be more than happy.

I guess it doesn't hurt to check but today's cars monitor everything and if your system isn't working right I'm fairly confident you'd be seeing a MIL or abs light by now.

It sometimes throws off a blinking traction light,but more often than not it doesn't in wet conditions.In dry conditions the light will come on more consistently.I never use that disable button.Guess I wont get a decisive answer,it hasn't thrown off any trouble codes,so for now I'm going to assume its fine.Certainly doesn't hurt the driver experience at all,just nice to know if you car is doing something wrong while its still under warranty.Thanks for the ones who provided input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvboy (Post 3547802)

... .Guess I wont get a decisive answer,it hasn't thrown off any trouble codes,so for now I'm going to assume its fine.Certainly doesn't hurt the driver experience at all,just nice to know if you car is doing something wrong while its still under warranty.Thanks for the ones who provided input.

As per jcosta79, the "decisive" answer is in the Owner's Manual. If you want more details, check out the FSM. Or just keep guessing.

And when your dealer told you they didn't know how it works (and didn't seem to care), you should have turned around and driven to another dealer - your warranty is with Nissan, not the dealer.

I see nothing in the manual that describes how the VDC specifically reacts to driving conditions and to what degree it reacts,but thanks for reminding me to read the manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvboy (Post 3547873)

I see nothing in the manual that describes how the VDC specifically reacts to driving conditions and to what degree it reacts,but thanks for reminding me to read the manual.

You are most welcome.

Since the overview given in the OM doesn't seem to have answered your questions, hit the FSM.

Can't find any info there either,I was just kindly asking people for some insight here,thought that's what this forum was for......discussion.Anyway,I'm just going to assume it's working fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvboy (Post 3547893)

... I was just kindly asking people for some insight here,thought that's what this forum was for......discussion. ...

And you were provided with the tools to gain your own insight. Whether or not you take advantage of that is up to you. The info is in the FSM but you may have to dig a little to find it.

There has been discussion. The upshot of that discussion is that we can't troubleshoot your problem remotely. If you can't figure it out on your own, find a decent shop to look at it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 3547909)

Like I said twice,I am going to assume is fine.U will no doubt get the last word in on this thread,but I'm going to leave it at that.Thanks:tiphat:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvboy (Post 3548088)

Like I said twice,I am going to assume is fine.U will no doubt get the last word in on this thread,but I'm going to leave it at that.Thanks:tiphat:

Page 13 of the service manual under the BRC section will tell you exactly what the Traction contol portion of VDC does.