Traction control... on or off?

[slix]

Was wondering the other day when bored in traffic..

Which scenario would have the car accelerate faster?

Traction control on, limiting wheel spin and cutting power and not spinning any away...

Or

Traction control off... not letting the car interfere with any of the power and getting some wheel spin here and there...

I know in the wet the first would probably be better but what do you guys think? I have a mapped ed30 if this helps.

[AJP]

I actually did the same earlier, briefly. I've been thinking about ways to aid traction in the lower gears as I just can't get the power down in 1st and 2nd. Car is a k03 with 270 odd bhp and 350lbft+.

Usually if I plant it in 2nd at around 2.5k it just wheelhops heavily and then the traction control kicks in, power is cut, accompanied by a big 'brraapppp' from the exhaust. Going nowhere fast.

With traction off, same scenario, again I got a bit of wheel hop (maybe to a lesser extent) then the wheels literally span, up to the limiter. Again, slow progress, but maybe not as bad.

I'd imagine with a bit of practice I could temper the throttle a bit so the tyres bite rather than spin. Certainly with uprated engine mounts and an anti lift kit it'd be easier.

Once I'm in 3rd it'll bite. I'm on MPSS and they do a good job generally. I'm considering some wide wings and 245/255 tyres once I go k04. It's kind of pointless having all that torque if you can only use it after 40mph or so.

[AJP]

I'll just add that I drive with the traction control ON 99.9% of the time. I only have problems in the first two gears, and if I want to make progress it boosts hard from 30-40mph in 3rd anyway. I don't want to get into the habit of having it turned off, I think it's potentially crucial in a dodgy situation.

[fab5freddy]

I'd imagine with a bit of practice I could temper the throttle a bit so the tyres bite rather than spin.

This is what it's all about with FWD, there's no mashing the pedal on these.

I always turn the traction control off every time i go any where, much easier to control than the pesky ABS cutting in imo.

[AJP]

I'd imagine with a bit of practice I could temper the throttle a bit so the tyres bite rather than spin.

This is what it's all about with FWD, there's no mashing the pedal on these.

I always turn the traction control off every time i go any where, much easier to control than the pesky ABS cutting in imo.

Yeah it's tricky getting the balance right. I rarely do the old 'traffic light Grand Prix' but the other day I was sat at the lights, two lanes straight on (60 limit by the way folks) and a white new-ish looking BMW pulls alongside, creeping, so I knew he wanted the road. Gave it my best and he got me, just. But I reckon I got down about 40% of the power I've got at best, it was terrible. Wheelhop, traction control kicking in, just a mess of an attempt really. The BMW had 435d and xdrive badges on the back it turned out, so I won't lose sleep. Although I bet he wasn't even trying

[fab5freddy]

I feel your pain, i've done it so many times myself, rush of blood and it all goes out the window 

Wheel hop is the biggest problem imo, one of the best mods i have done is uprated engine mounts, no wheel hop what so ever now, of course you have to balance off the NVH, but really isn't an issue vs results, you soon don't even notice it and think what was i ever concerned about

[AJP]

I feel your pain, i've done it so many times myself, rush of blood and it all goes out the window 

Wheel hop is the biggest problem imo, one of the best mods i have done is uprated engine mounts, no wheel hop what so ever now, of course you have to balance off the NVH, but really isn't an issue vs results, you soon don't even notice it and think what was i ever concerned about

Yes I've got the mounts high up on the to-do list, just haven't researched it much yet. There are quite a few options. I don't mind a bit of extra noise as long as it doesn't translate as more interior trim rattles. I've got enough of those!

[Dan_FR]

The issue with the TCS is if you do trigger it, it has a hissy fit for a good half second or so and kills all power. For that reason alone I turn it off if I ever want to get off the line quickly. I can do a much better job with my right foot than the standard TCS does....

[AJP]

The issue with the TCS is if you do trigger it, it has a hissy fit for a good half second or so and kills all power. For that reason alone I turn it off if I ever want to get off the line quickly. I can do a much better job with my right foot than the standard TCS does....

This is true. Although admittedly, I need some practice with traction off. I reckon I'd get a good launch if I slipped the clutch but I'm not keen on the idea. I'd bloody love AWD.

[grey golfster]

This seems a good thread to clear up something I'm not entirely clear on...hope this might help OP too?

Does the Golf traction control cut power (to both wheels!) By modulating, or by cutting the "throttle" completely?

And/or, does the system use ABS to brake an individual wheel that has lost traction, when pulling in this scenario?

[Dan_FR]

The TCS reaction depends on the amount and the rate of slip. Mild interference can be ignition retard which sounds awesome. Full intervention kills power and ceases acceleration entirely for a good half second all more until wheelspin (and all acceleration) has stopped. Any interference affects both driven wheels

Mk6 Golf and newer has the XDS system which will use ABS to brake a wheel that has lost traction to mimic that off a limited slip diff..... No such thing on the Mk5.

R-Tech maps rewrite the behaviour of the TCS and it actually acts as a traction control, modulating power as needed to become beneficial.

[slix]

The TCS reaction depends on the amount and the rate of slip. Mild interference can be ignition retard which sounds awesome. Full intervention kills power and ceases acceleration entirely for a good half second all more until wheelspin (and all acceleration) has stopped. Any interference affects both driven wheels

Mk6 Golf and newer has the XDS system which will use ABS to brake a wheel that has lost traction to mimic that off a limited slip diff..... No such thing on the Mk5.

R-Tech maps rewrite the behaviour of the TCS and it actually acts as a traction control, modulating power as needed to become beneficial.

I'm pretty sure when rtech did my map they mentioned this. So you think I'd be better leaving it on in that case?

On a dry day the car feels much quicker with it off may I add.

[Namsgti]

Mine don't spin at all 

[AJP]

The TCS reaction depends on the amount and the rate of slip. Mild interference can be ignition retard which sounds awesome. Full intervention kills power and ceases acceleration entirely for a good half second all more until wheelspin (and all acceleration) has stopped. Any interference affects both driven wheels

Mk6 Golf and newer has the XDS system which will use ABS to brake a wheel that has lost traction to mimic that off a limited slip diff..... No such thing on the Mk5.

R-Tech maps rewrite the behaviour of the TCS and it actually acts as a traction control, modulating power as needed to become beneficial.

I'm pretty sure when rtech did my map they mentioned this. So you think I'd be better leaving it on in that case?

On a dry day the car feels much quicker with it off may I add.

I'm on an R-Tech map and it still cuts in quite keenly, but it's hard to tell whether it's less obtrusive than the standard map - arguably it'd cut in less with standard torque levels anyway. I think traction control (however well tweaked) can only do so much once you're past 300lbft.

We could throw a load of money into wide track with 245/255s, lsd, coilovers, anti lift kit etc, but still might struggle at times and also introduce some trade-offs.

I saw Alex mention in another thread he's doing AWD conversions. I can only imagine we're talking a good few grand. But probably a much better result than wide tyres etc on fwd. Either option screams money pit though.

[rich83]

I hate the OEM traction control.... it cuts in way to hard, so as a result I turn it of most times if I want to have fun!