How to drive with traction control in snow

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Visiting mom for the holidays, I'm stuck with a rental car with traction control, and there's no button to turn if off. The snow's been coming down, and the darn thing won't go anywhere when it's snowing this much. It backs down the throttle/power until it gains traction, which is mostly never... It's snow!

Any thoughts, other than yanking the ABS fuse from the fuse box?

MC

 

[CoalCracker]

My Xterra has a VDC button. When I hit that, it takes it off. Vehicle Dynamic Control. See if it has something like that. You may not be able to take it off at all. I know mine has almost caused me to get in an accident more than once. Pulling onto the highway in traffic on a wet road. Wheels spin, engine all but stops in the middle of traffic. A locking differential is much better.

 

[fuzzy2133]

WOW my wife has a 2012 Acidia and it has the button on the dash. What is the make and model?

My opinion of a locking diff is double edged. Yes great for low traction problems just need to be aware it is there on ice.

 

[brycelarson]

There's a button somewhere. What make and model?

 

[headbanger]

There's got to be a way to turn it off, check the owner's manual. Selecting 4-low will typically disable traction control as well, if equipped.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Looks to be 2011 Nissan Altima HYBRID. I think they don't come from the factory with T/C disable. I looked at owner's manual, all over dashboard + glove box, you name it, can't find it. On top of that, it has crappy all season tires. I'm relegated to driving mom's Honda Civic without T/C at all (yaye!) and winter tires. That thing is a tank in the snow!

MC

 

[ryanmmill]

You can't disable traction control on hybrids, same issue with my prius.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

You can't disable traction control on hybrids, same issue with my prius.

How do you get it moving in thick loose snow? I came up with the conclusion that they are worried about the electric motors getting whacked by too much torque when the wheels spin and that there is sudden traction.

I hate it to hell.

MC

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

Many cars have Nintendo Cheat Codes to turn off certain functionality. Read or post in this forum:

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f49/disabling-trac-vsc-temporarily-camry-hybrid-23487/index2.html

The info is from 2009 and describes sequencing certain buttons to turn it off. Someone even recommends loosening the gas cap. Sounds weird but I had a car that would turn off the tuning if the pressure in the tank wasn't constant. I'd say loosen it a little just to relieve the pressure (for safety reasons). Can't hurt. If it doesn't work wait for global warming.

 

[fuzzy2133]

How do you get it moving in thick loose snow? I came up with the conclusion that they are worried about the electric motors getting whacked by too much torque when the wheels spin and that there is sudden traction.

I hate it to hell.

MC

Apparently they think we all have the $$$ to also buy a 4X4. I would think the hybrid electric motor would have the brawn to break an axle shaft or something rather than hurt itself. Did you try just keeping your foot in it and let the computer do its thing?

 

[Grizz]

I'd say just keep it floored and let it do it's thing. other than that pulling the abs fuse might work. It might leave the abs light on even after you replace the fuse but I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[ryanmmill]

Ya, just keep your foot on the pedal and it tries multiple times per sec to get moving. There are some work arounds as was mentioned above, like taking the brake fluid level sensor off or messing with any aspect of the ABS. However I imagine they want TC for a reason to prevent driveline damage as was mentioned above with the excessive rpm caused from slipping wheels.

I just need to invest in a set of better snow tires is what I've found.

 

[DakotaPrerunner]

This is what you need a true "tank" in the snow

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

I JUST found a sort-of workaround: When getting going (and failing) and it's backing off the throttle, start applying the brakes AND the gas gradually. It seems to trick the computer into getting some wheelspin. It smelled of burnt brakes, but it's rental. aka, a "Mexican car: Nacho car".

MC

 

[PapsD]

I'd try putting it in first and going slow to get going in the real sloppy stuff. That's what I do. It might also turn off the traction control doing that.

You'd think if the car had two servo.motors in the driving wheels they could simulate a locker or limited slip differential.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

I'd try putting it in first and going slow to get going in the real sloppy stuff. That's what I do. It might also turn off the traction control doing that.

You'd think if the car had two servo.motors in the driving wheels they could simulate a locker or limited slip differential.

There's only a "B" position and a "D" position.... It's a CVT.

MC

 

[fuzzy2133]

... It smelled of burnt brakes, but it's rental. aka, a "Mexican car: Nacho car".

MC

LMAO
I think you found the solution!