Traction Control vs Stability Control

It depends on the manufacturer on how their systems are set-up, but I'll give you my BMW's take from the top of my head.

Traction control - can either apply braking, reduce the engine power, or both to my rear wheels once slippage is detected from the ABS sensors.

Stability control - can apply brakes to any of the 4 wheels once the yaw, speed, and steeering wheel sensors detect oveersteer and attempts to correct (starighten).

Natuarlly none of these systems can defy the laws of physics if you're going too fast for the computer system , you're just a passenger.

Some cars (Acura, BMW, and probably some others) have a torque vectoring system on their awd vehicles. Basically they can apply power to one side of the car and brakes on the other to "steer" through a curve - I guess similar to how an army tank turns.

 

Exactly. My Lexus has full stability control - while it can't defy the laws of physics, it is pretty amazing how it can snap you back straight when the car loses it.

 

They are very different technically. Traction control insures both wheels will give you traction and grip. For example if one wheel is in snow the other wheel will not turn without traction control. It was introduced in the early 1960s and most if not all cars have it now.

Stability control is totaly different. It is an active system. Not all cars have it while others do or you can get as an added cost feature.

If we go back to a cold winter snow and lets assume you run into a slippery patch. If you start to get out of sorts the car will use braking to keep you straight.

As an example I was caught on some "black ice" when I lived in New England. I drove a 911 at the time and I found myself going backwards with the Porsche down the road. Not a great feeling. The next day I took my Highlander which had atability control and it keep me straight with a little work which it did without my assitance.

The best modern comparison is the Z06 compared to the ZR1. The Z06 is a bear to hold onto under high power. The ZR1 in stability mode with more power and under full throttle keeps you straight down the road. My friends call it the "old foggy mode". You can set it with a button and get in addition to stability mode, competitive mode and no help at all mode.

Lee

 

Ferrari is just now pioneering new performance levels in the 458's adaptation of F1 Trac and their E-Diff, figuring out how to accelerate the outside wheel rather than brake the inside.

It's obviously more efficient this way; you don't want the motor fighting the brakes as most all high powered cars do under stability and TCS management.

 

We used to joke at the MB dealership where I used to work......."ESP" as they called it, only helps you go into the ditch pointed straight.

It works well if you are an active driver, but like anything else, it is easy to over drive the system, especially in winter.

 

That is funny never heard that before

Thanks for posting that. I am still gigling

Lee

 

Isn't there a car that does that now? Makes sense, different radius on the inside and outside wheels in a turn.

Lee