TRACS/ABS: C30 Traction Control - Any use?

[AndrewF]

Does anyone rate the C30 Traction Control of any use in snow? I have found that it does nothing at all in helping the Front Wheel drive C30. It very easily gets stuck with no sign of Traction Control attempting to brake the spinning wheel.

Visited my local Volvo dealer who confirmed that the system is working but they seemed to be saying it was not for controlling wheel spin in snow. So what it the point of it anyway?

[JamesV70R]

As I understand it TRACS will only kick in if the rate of spin is different between the 2 wheels - eg: One wheel is on snow/ice and the other dry tarmac. If both wheels are spinning on ice at the same rate it'll just think you're driving quickly.

Best way to try it is next time it snows, go to an empty carpark, full right/left lock with tracs on, force some wheelspin - you'll hear it chattering away pulsing the ABS on the wheel thats slipping. Turn it off ... lots of spinning tyres!

[Daim]

TRACS doesn't exist in a C30. It is DTC - Dynamic Traction Control. It measures the different between front and rear axle and therefore will regulate the front wheels.

I find it is a little less helpful. It is mainly there for say wet/damp or dry roads. On snow you sometimes do want a little wheel spin...

Turn the DTC off (by turning off - by display - the DSTC).

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by Villan

As I understand it TRACS will only kick in if the rate of spin is different between the 2 wheels - eg: One wheel is on snow/ice and the other dry tarmac. If both wheels are spinning on ice at the same rate it'll just think you're driving quickly.

Best way to try it is next time it snows, go to an empty carpark, full right/left lock with tracs on, force some wheelspin - you'll hear it chattering away pulsing the ABS on the wheel thats slipping. Turn it off ... lots of spinning tyres!

your best to turn the "spin control" element of DSTC off in the snow. unfortunately i cannot remember how to do this atm...but it is in the manual somewhere and actually says to do so.

Edit: just been to my C press and hold the RESET button...you will get a warning to tell you naturally and when you switch the car off it will re engage it.

If you have never noticed the light come on which tbh i have never seen mine to come on but i have known the system to be active then there is nothing to worry about.

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by Daim

TRACS doesn't exist in a C30. It is DTC - Dynamic Traction Control. It measures the different between front and rear axle and therefore will regulate the front wheels.

I find it is a little less helpful. It is mainly there for say wet/damp or dry roads. On snow you sometimes do want a little wheel spin...

Turn the DTC off (by turning off - by display - the DSTC).

technically speaking it is DSTC.... or it is over here matey

[Daim]

Originally Posted by Ninja59

technically speaking it is DSTC.... or it is over here matey

DSTC is ESP and TCS

The system is split in two sections:

DTC (traction control)

And DSC (esp)

The combination of both (DSTC) is what European Volvos have fitted. If you turn off the "DSTC", you actually only turn off DTC.

[dew1911]

It's a useless system that doesn't work any of the time! I've had the D5 Spinning up like a good 'un, with the so called TC engaged, and it does sweet **** all!

[chelle_belle]

TRACKS does a good job in my 850.

[AndrewF]

Tried it this morning in the car park at work, reversed into a parking space (on tight lock) that had snow under the near side wheel and clear/wet tarmac on the offside. The wheel on the snow spun away without any attempt of the Traction Control stopping the spin. Had to pull forward a little and reverse in a straight line into the space. When it does decide to work is when driving slowly in a straight line when one of the wheels slips. So will have to try and drive in straight lines everywhere if I want the Traction control to help....

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

[JamesV70R]

My bad, misread .. thought it said C70!