ernierob130

Ok my new 2012 5.0 f150... This damn traction control lights comes on and I "bog" down... Dealer says must keep it on... Is he feeding me a line of bull.. I no hold button down 10 sec and its off now is It safe to do that all the time? This 5.0 is better than my 5.4 for sure but it is soooo sluggish even tho I have 35" tires and 6" lift it shouldn't be this bad... It takes like 8 sec. And then it decides to take off.. Its weird.. Any mods to fix this? Will a programmer really help?

RES4CUE

It will come back on after 35 mph even if you turn it off.

It is due to the lift and tires, there are some threads on a possible fix somewhere on here. You will have to search.

wwest

TC is a "nanny" substitute for the driver not being willing, or not knowing how, to very carefully "feather" the throttle on "drive-away" to keep the engine torque right on the cusp of loss of traction but not beyond.

The best use of TC is to leave it enabled in case the drive-away roadbed is slippery than thought. If TC activates inadvertently then simply turn it off and use the throttle feathering method for drive-away.

Nickf150fx4

Yes a programmer will deffinitley help..it should bring you back to about the same power your truck had without the 35's

CaSCrew11

Nick,
I don't agree at all! A tuner will bring some of that power back to the stock feeling with stock wheels, but the only way to get that "umph" back into your truck would be to re-gear! Go big or go home. Seriously, the absolute best money i've ever spent. More than likely go to 4.56's with 35's. I had that set up on my 98 and could spin both rears on any surface. Without the gearing I too would sit for quite a bit before it took off like a rocket, with the stock 3.55 gearing.

wwest

One other note. If the front and rear tire circumference do not match within 3-5% the TC, and ABS, will be more prone to activate.

ernierob130

What programmer do you guys recommend... Just a plug and play I don't need any
Fancy gauges or dash mount to get stolen
SCT? Superchip? ... One that doesn't leave a footprint with my 4 year warranty

Also the gears... How do to go about changing gears? Is it a pain? And what effect would it have?

Al Kohalic

The dealer will not take the traction control off. That will make him liable if you are in an accident. Plus, their are new laws that every 2012 up have to have some form of traction and RSC control requiring your truck to have it if you want to have the privilege to drive it on government owned roads.

The reason for the low end sluggish feeling on your 5.0 vs the 5.4 is a combination of your bigger tires without changing your rear gear ratio, and the fact that the 5.4 had more low end power. The 5.0 is more of a top end screamer.

Al Kohalic

What was your stock gear before the 35's? If you had 3.73 stock then now you have 3.41 calculating with the 35's. If it was 3.55 stock then now your rear ratio is around 3.25. If it was 3.31 then it is 3.08 now.

It is not really a pain to change them out, but it will cost you around $1,500-$2000 including parts if you have it done at a shop since you will need to do both front and back diffs. You would also want to have your speedo recalibrated after doing this since it will be way off.

wwest

Are you trying to rapidly accelerate, burn-out even, from a low speed or from a stop? Or accelerate into a turn, tight turn?

The stability control "KNOWS" how light the rear end of your truck is and just how much engine torque can be used before loss of traction, and possible loss of directional control, would be the probable result.