Traction control ?

Unless it's uphill, not a thing. The key is traction control, not stability control.

I'd go one step further in saying when starting off on snow and ice it is recommended to turn it off. This is to allow the wheels to spin and get some "traction".

In alt.autos.ford.focus FocusGhia :

Traction control works pretty well on snow, you might like to fit some reasonable winter tires and you should have enough traction. The traction control doesn't help you at all if you have summer tires mounted.

You can even find out, (empty road) how much traction your tires have on snow, without much danger. Just accelerate until the traction control kicks in.;)

If you need to "spin" to get some traction at all, it's likely your are one of those people with summer tires mounted on snow and better don't drive, dangerous for you and others.

Insurances have started over here (Germany) to check in case of accidents on snow if you had winter tires mounted, if not they might not pay 100%. Even without snow, winter tires have better traction on dry roads, as soon as the temperature is below 7 C.

Most people don't think about the most important thing on snow and alike conditions. The problem isn't being able to climb up some hill, there won't happen much if your car doesn't. The real problem is breaking and getting the car stopped (controlled), without smashing into something. That's were good winter tires really pay off, taking tire abrasion into account they didn't really cost you anything.

If you took at a wet greasy circle in 2nd gear with your focus (eg a roundabout) you'd find a balance point with the amount of throttle you could use and still maintain the circumference of the circle, without the inside wheel spinning wildly. Same as 101% of other FWD non TC'ed cars.

Less throttle and the circle would tighten, more and you'd drift out, despite using more steering.

With the TC activated (note this is NOT stability control unless you have a Focus ESP, which is an entirely different beast) you can plant your foot right down on the gas and still maintain whatever circumference of circle you like, the ecu giving just enough power vs the tyres' available grip. More lock to go tighter and you'll end up going slower as engine power is further reduced.

If the rear end breaks away, or the tyres loose most of their grip the TC will not stop you heading backwards through a hedge!

The TC on the petrol 2.0, AFAIR, reduces engine power only-through a controlled misfire.

The ESP cars you can barrel into a bend at stupid speeds foot to the boards and it will go wherever you point it. Quite amazing. That said if you manage to activate the ESP in the dry then you're really motoring, and probably doing quite illegal speeds.

My 1.8 doesnt have TC but its only the cases of slippery tight roundabouts barrelled into under 50% or more power that you can ever get the front to ride wide and the inside tyre to start spinning. I don;t drive around in a field either so dont miss the TC.

Tim..

I've asked the same. My understanding is that it gives you the same advantages of a limited slip diffeerential, keeps both wheels turning thte same and helps avoid that one wheel spinning in the mud thing a la My Counsin Vinnie

Hi thanks for the advice

I am based in the UK so we do not get proper winters ( mind you we do not get summers either )

I was just intrigued as to what to expect on the edge.

I will go out and play with the car, and see what it will do and more importantly won't do.

Peter

In my experience, with the TC turned off, you;ll get some understeer under power at the limit, but not very much. Easing off the power will allow the nose to tuck in nicely. If you dab the brakes the back end will step out just alittle and switching back to power at that point you can get a slight

I wouldnt advise you try it on a public road as you need to be batting on fairish to provoke it to that degree. I think you'll find why the Focus is regarded as having exceptional handling.

Tim..

just want I needed to know

Peter

At low speeds it puts a little brake action on the spinning wheel, which increases the torque at the non spinning wheel with this same amount. This is a bit like a limit slip differential as someone noted. At normal driving speeds no brake action is applied however, only engine power reduction to reduce the spinning. /per