Was traction control an option for 98 or 99 Maxima's? If anyone has it, is it an effective addition for snow/ice driving? Thanks!

 

I've got viscous limited slip diffential, which, I believe accomplishes similar things...But, my Max is a 97, and
it is a CANADIAN one

FLO_BOY

 

Yeah, I know it's been available on Canadian cars for awhile, but I'm unclear if it was available on 4th G cars here in the US. I'm seriously considering picking up a 97-99 Maxima (5 speed, of course!), and between crazy Colorado winters and skiing, I think Traction Control (if it is done well) might be a good option.

 

I think traction control was only available to automatics for the 99s only. Maybe 98 automatics, too. But no 5 speeds.

DW

 

It is an option for U.S.-bound Maxima starting from 1999 and up. It works by cutting off your throttle when it senses a slip at a wheel. (usually front when you try to lay rubber on the tarmac)

I do not know its benefit in snow/wet conditions. Besides, we need to look at the two conditions separately. I used to live in the mid-west so I know both are not the same.

Anyhow, if you are already sliding out of control on a snow covered surface, how good can it be by reducing the throttle?

 

For me, it's actually more of an ice question. If the front wheels hit a patch of ice, I'd like for the power to be shifted to the rear wheels (if they aren't on ice) so that I can gain traction and move forward. So I guess that viscous coupling is more of what I'm after - anyone have thoughts on this?

 

Power will never shift to the rear wheels since the Maxima is FWD. For your situation on ice maybe you'll want to take a look at Subarus or the BMW Xi sedans (both are AWD with locking differentials).

 

So what exactly is traction control? I always thought it was the tranfer of power to other wheels. Is it just a torque limiter?

Thanks everyone!

 

Traction control is a system which uses the ABS system and throttle to control/prevent wheel slippage. When sensors detect slippage from a wheel(s) the computer will cut back throttle and apply the slipping wheel(s) brake. It helps you regain traction by slowing you down; its not designed to help you go faster. What you were thinking of is a limited slip differential, which transfers power to the driven wheel with the most traction.

 

This is all true, however on our cars the brakes are not applied by the traction contol system to stop wheel spin. The Traction Control system will only throttle down the engine to regain control.

I have Traction Control in my 1999 SE-L. The system works great in bad weather. Helps prevent you from spinning your wheels like mad when you take off in the rain and in the snow. On dry ground you have to turn it off if you want to play.

Traction Control, in our cars will not help or prevent you from sliding your sorry *** off the road from driving like a nut in bad weather. Only you can prevent that from happening!

 

Hey, I don't drive "like a nut," as you put it. There is, however, a nice 30% decline on a hill on my drive home from work. So, with our Colorado winters, we tend to get 1" of ice on the road relatively frequently. Even when I am just puttering along in 1st gear, avoiding slipping on this decline can be really tough.

 

Sorry buddy. None of the TCS systems found on today's cars will help you avoid any slipping on an ice covered road going downhill. All four wheels are on slippery surface. It is very difficult to make you car go straight. And you know that.

You need something more than TCS. You need a tracked-vehicle.