Traction control on a hill in the snow

[macafee2]

lets assume I have the deftest of touches.
If my wheels spin is traction control definitely going to get me going up the hill from a standing start? My thought is no as there is still only the same amount of grip. All traction control will do is reduce the amount of "power" available to try and prevent wheel spin but then I can do that with either my left or right foot.

macafee2

[BigRuss]

Highly unlikely, remember a few years ago 4" of fresh snow snow on a hill, with traction on the car ground slowly and surely to a stop as it cut power every time the wheels started to spin.

Returned to bottom of the hill turned off TC and got up the hill without problem except for a bit of wheel spin.

As all good driver's know, if you can't get up a hill in snow in a FWD car without traction control turn it round and go up in reverse often works better

Russ

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by BigRuss

Highly unlikely, remember a few years ago 4" of fresh snow snow on a hill, with traction on the car ground slowly and surely to a stop as it cut power every time the wheels started to spin.

Returned to bottom of the hill turned off TC and got up the hill without problem except for a bit of wheel spin.

As all good driver's know, if you can't get up a hill in snow in a FWD car without traction control turn it round and go up in reverse often works better

Russ

I was told about reversing but have never ever seen anyone do it
macafee2

[vitesse]

Agree with BigRuss. If your wheels spin then you’re probably too heavy on the accelerator to start with or if a manual, too quick releasing the clutch, or a combination of the two. Depends too on the type of snow & temperature and previous tyre tracks on that snow.

Many years ago my nephew brought over a SD1 from UK for me. My son, of the same age as nephew, and I met him half way up in Sweden at a cafe. Nephew got stuck on the last bit of snow/ice remaining in the car park, no amount of wheel spin helped. Said to son, jump in, he’d never driven the car before but without bother (and wheel spin) managed to reverse the car free from the spot.

The only thing traction control does is help people like my nephew who think wheel spin/power will get them free.

Regards

[KWIL]

Originally Posted by macafee2

I was told about reversing but have never ever seen anyone do it
macafee2

My drive way is so steep that I always reverse out so as to keep front wheels from spinning. I can drive out, which I have to do if trailer attached, but a very delicate touch is required.

If snowy or icy, I always leave the car at the top of the drive