wyoroller

In the midst of a winter storm here and am getting the first real experience of using 4WD in the new truck. Apparently the traction control system (TCS) is at war with 4WD when turning at low speeds.

There's plenty of snow on the streets and I've engaged 4WD (Automatic 4WD actually). When I'm accelerating and turning it seems like the TCS is kicking in an making that gentle grinding noise/vibration. If I turn off TCS, it doesn't happen. Of course a wheel is going to slip during a turn in the snow with 4WD engaged - should TCS really be kicking in at low speeds like this? What am I missing here?!?

Searched other threads for this specific issue but please point me in the right direction if it's already been hashed out.

fordfan77

Mine does the same thing on tight turns with the switch in 4 high, unless I turn off the traction control

ns_redneck

mine does it too. hit the traction countol button to take the traction control off. then hold it for 8 seconds and it turns the advanc trac control off.

SultanGris

its normal for some strange reason, if you ever get stuck shut off the traction control or you will never get out, lol!

wyoroller

Well, I'm relieved to hear it's "normal" but it still seems very strange that TCS would brake the one wheel that does have traction when in 4WD and executing a slow turn!

SultanGris

you have larger than stock tires? people were having traction control issues while turning normally on dry conditions a while back, there was a tsb i believe.

wyoroller

Nope - brand new and all stock. I think the TCS is simply kicking in because there is plenty of slipping. I'm turning in 8 inches of snow in 4WD so of course there's slipping! But do I really need TCS when going less than 10mph and trying to accelerate? I guess I've yet to be convinced of the great value of TCS

SultanGris

lol, yea, i agree. tried driving through a 4 foot snowdrift in 4x4 with the tcs on and I got stuck, shut it off and drove right out. It does work good on slippery roads to keep the rear end from sliding out, ill give it that. It has its place I guess, but its not set up right for 4x4 conditions if you ask me. Certainly it will save people who lack driving skill, but sometimes I find it quite annoying.

fordfan77

You can shut it off and it will kit back in around 35mph. Well mine does, unless I use my programmer to turn it off. I have heard of people pulling a fuse or relay to disable it, but I wouldn't. I only turn mine of via proagrammer when offroading.

blyons808

this is my first 4 wheel drive truck and I wondered why I would have a hard time making a short turn in 4WD. I had no idea that if I turned the TCS off, it would turn fine lol. Learn something new everyday!