Traction in the Snow

[mabraham]

We all know that the 300m is a beast in the snow (if you can tame it), but for the best performance on snow covered or packed roads do you prefer traction control on or off?

I always leave the traction off because I prefer to pick when I want my wheels to slip or grip especially, when paired with the autostick.

Winter Setup:
Proxies in front at 28psi on stock rims
Nankangs in rear at 30psi on stock rims

Also, I jam the parking brake release handle forward with a lighter for instant tight cornering or intentional over-steer, so I don't have to bend down and release it manually during a maneuver.

[Tarheel]

I certainly don't agree that the 300M is "a beast in the snow". What tires are you using to make it a beast

[300maximilien]

Trac Off

I certainly don't agree that the 300M is "a beast in the snow". What tires are you using to make it a beast

I would put a 300M with a set of 4 Blizzaks up against any all or 4 wheel drive with all seasons. I drive circles around people with mine. I will never forget my first experience with modern snow tires back in winter of 2000......I just could not believe the traction.

2 weeks ago I came over the top of a hill on a snow covered highway and there was an accident at the bottom of the hill. I was able to slow down and drive around the accident. 5 cars around me were not so lucky. One hit the accident. 4 ended up in the ditch or berm depending on the side they chose to run off. 2 were SUVs. One was an all wheel drive Infinity Sedan.

So the 300M is a Beast!

One of these days I hope to get set of Nokians that one of our European Members showed me. They are 2xs better than the Blizzaks.....which is almost incomprehensible.

[paintballdude05]

I use 4 Pirelli snowsport 210 on my '02 Intrepid, same things as the M. I have no ABS or TractionControl but it's a beast. I had some Bridgestone winter tires for one season and they were even better. I have the pressure set to 36 PSI all around. I'm not sure why you would intentionality want you're rear end to come out on you, unless you're out having fun. But, with my winter tires I've found it to be next to be very hard to get the rear end to kick out. Like mentioned bellow, tires are what makes these cars so good in the snow. It's nice to have 4WD but if you can't get a grip and stop, what's the point.

[DKano]

I agree that the 300M is pretty good in the snow. I can't remember ever really being stuck in the snow when driving one my Ms. I also have Blizzaks on my mine, these are pretty good snow tires!!
Oh, I don't really take traction off that often, so most of the time I drive with it on.

[YardleyBill]

Agreed I think it is pretty good in the snow.

I actually prefer it to our Durango. The Durango is just constantly fishtailing and I don't feel safe in in.

Feel very safe in the 300M, and I only have regular tires (Traction T/A) on it.

[grayslater]

I've always felt pretty confident with our 300Ms in the snow. That's with the use of regular A/S tires. Most of my driving is highway, so leaving the Traction Control on is normally where it's at.

Normally I'm passed in the morning on my daily commute. The days when there is snow on the interstate and more in the left lane, I'm normally passing those who'd be passing me.

Relatively new Traction T/As on the 2004 & a second season usage of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires (winter wheels) on the 2002 Special.

[LUNAT1C]

I turn it off when negotiating a hill, and keep it on for highway driving to maintain my lane. I had to drive through 5 inches uphill from a stop in my rental Focus on Sunday night. Turning off traction control, hitting the hill with a bit of speed, and I was up it like it was summertime. Some sort of Kuhmo set of tires on the factory 17" graphite wheels. Meh.

My 300 gave me no issues last winter on Bridgestone Potenza RE960 Pole Position's and Yokohama AVID W4S's. She's sitting out this round of snow, but no doubt she'll handle the next round easily.

[Croff]

I think "trac on" is just stoping you. Maybe it hepls to take off behind stoplight but if you are stuck then defenetly "tack off". Problem with the Special is that its too low. I was stuck on day because there was to much snow in the middle of the road. I have never drove with wintetires like the Bridgestone Blizzak's. I have only had studded winter tires and they have good tracktion, but more noisy on highway.

[Bill Putney]

I think "trac on" is just stoping you...

That's the way I see it too. But I guess there are some specific circumstances where it would help.

When I 180'd into a ditch a couple of weeks ago, I initially tried pulling out with the Trac on (default) - felt like the car was being held back - could barely move - thought I was going to need a tow truck. Then I remembered the Trac, and turned it off. It pulled itself out of the ditch with no problem. At least in that specific instance, it appeared to be a hinderance and not a help.

[Tarheel]

I think "trac on" is just stoping you...

That's the way I see it too. But I guess there are some specific circumstances where it would help.

When I 180'd into a ditch a couple of weeks ago, I initially tried pulling out with the Trac on (default) - felt like the car was being held back - could barely move - thought I was going to need a tow truck. Then I remembered the Trac, and turned it off. It pulled itself out of the ditch with no problem. At least in that specific instance, it appeared to be a hinderance and not a help.

On page 164 of my driver's manual, under Traction Control, "If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn the Traction Control System Off before attempting to "rock" the vehicle free."

[85merk]

i haven't found a single time yet where TC was useful. ABS on the other hand IS.
harsh winter driving is always TC off and i always take off from a light in 2nd or 3rd.

[mabraham]

i haven't found a single time yet where TC was useful. ABS on the other hand IS.
harsh winter driving is always TC off and i always take off from a light in 2nd or 3rd.

Were on the same page buddy. ABS saves my life, traction control just seems to get in the way. As soon as I turn my key its instinct to hit that trac off button. Launching in 2nd and 3rd is key; taming the beast is knowing how gear ratio affects torque applied to a slick surface. Once you've got momentum as you know its a whole different story with fwd, but I find myself easily out maneuvering rwd platform cars (specifically vics) at high speeds on backroads in slick road conditions. I found that pulling out of an understeer with traction on just nearly impossible without halting the car , where when its off i can correct by slipping the (CENSORED) out straightening the wheels, and as soon as they hook up its a matter of managing torque steer and keeping your foot hard on the floor with that tac over 4.5k as I exit the corner. Even though RWD is better it doesn't have a chance because I can pull out of an understeer almost every time with trac off, where as with trac on my car would simply maintain a straight line of travel and reduce speed.

[Tarheel]

TC works for me.

[85merk]

definitely same page dirtrider! lol

[carlr]

i turn TC off when accelerating, then i turn it back on in case i hit a slick patch of black ice on the highway.

[300M_Brat]

I am so glad I don't have to deal with snow!

[Tarheel]

No longer need to worry about snow here, I hope.