Traction Control

[Mike XR6T]

traction control can be turned on and off with your flash 2, dunno bout flash 1 thou

[gsimon]

Some functionality description by Ford: (for the BA)

Traction Control (TCS only)

Traction Control, or Automatic Spin Reduction systems are a significant safety feature designed to

prevent wheel spin during acceleration. This results in improved vehicle stability and steerability. If wheel

spin is desired (this may be so in some sandy conditions to avoid becoming bogged) the driver can

disable the traction control by pressing the button on the dash. The traction control can be enabled again

by pressing the same switch again or by cycling the ignition.

The TCS uses wheel speed sensors to detect the spinning of one, or both, of the drive wheels. When

detected the system will automatically apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s), and will reduce engine torque. The brake pressure in the spinning wheel(s) is built up in small steps, so as not to over-brake the wheel(s), and will equalise the available torque between the two drive wheels according to the surfaces the wheels are on. The engine torque is reduced via the engine management system (EEC). The EEC will cut fuel injection and ignition to one or more cylinders depending on how much torque reduction is required.

The brake and engine intervention will continue to occur until the wheel(s) are no longer spinning. During traction control operation the traction control warning lamp will flash to inform the driver that the vehicle is under traction control. This continues until traction control is finished.

Traction Control (TCS only)

The addition of a priming valve and a switching valve allow the brake pressure at the rear wheels to be applied independently of each other and of the driver. The rotational speed of each wheel is determined by inductive wheel speed sensors. Any change in rotational speed is used by the processor in the TCS ECU to determine the deceleration, acceleration, and the slip of the wheels.If one side of the road surface is slippery and the wheel on that surface spins, that rear wheel is controlled by brake pressure being applied, with perhaps some engine power reduction. If both wheels are on a slippery surface and spin, the wheels may be slightly braked but most of the control is through

reduction of engine power.Use of brake intervention is limited when the vehicle speed is above 40km/h to prevent excessive brake temperatures being generated at the rear wheels.