Hi,
I'm on the verge of buying a 2001 Maxima SE with just the base options and Automatic transmission. I'm strongly considering adding the traction control option, but I just spoke with a dealer who said the option was basically worthless and could even make the car perform worse in the snow (I live in MA). Now he could be jerking me around, since to get traction control on an SE without the comfort/convenience package requires them to put in a special order and he probably wants to make a quick sale. I would like to hear from anyone who has the traction control on their Maxima though to see whether they think it provides any benefit.

 

I have a '99 Max GLE with traction control and it has been useful, especially in the rain and snow. If you corner a little to hard in the rain (not really hard, just a little) and before your car slips into the other lane, TC kicks in and brakes the wheel bringing you back in your lane. Also changing lanes in the snow is easier with traction control.

In the dry, it's not that useful.

 

Its going to be your car and your money... If you want the traction control, then go ahead and order it -- screw the dealer! If they want to sell you a car, they'll find you with what you want. Good luck.

 

Traction control it is. Thanks very much for the feedback.

 

I live in MA also, and I found the TCS to be very helpful in the snow this winter. Good choice.

 

Do you drive so reckless that you activated traction control in a turn? I took a very tight 90 degree turn at 40mph with minimal understeer, but no traction control ever occured in turns ever! Not even When I was drifting around the rain in the parking lot! maybe LSD make a difference!

 

I thought you had a 5speed manual? Do you Canadians get TCS with manual transmission?

 

I've taken turns in dry weather that activated the traction control. Its not that hard to do so. You don't have to be "reckless" (so you say) to activate it. When you took your 40mph turn through that 90 degree turn, did you have your foot on the gas pedal? If you didn't, then there is NO reason your TCS should engage unless you were. It only works when you are on the gas. Drifting around the rain in the parking lot will activate the TCS if you were on the gas. If you were, then your TCS must be malfuctioning if it didn't kick in. Read your owners manual to see more situations where your TCS will kick in.

 

TCS is great. The only thing I hate about it is that the default setting is "ON" when most of the time I drive is when it is sunny and clear where I don't need it. TCS helps out the already terrible Toyo's in snow. In dry and rainy weather, it sorta jerks your car harshly.