weather bad....traction control "feature"?

[robster]

So here in the NY area, the roads are bad and going uphill requires the ability to turn off traction control...QUICKLY!

 

Is the only way to do so by scrolling through the left menu with 100 choices? by then i was stuck and going downhill.

 

because if so, then that is downright idiotic, no?

 

every other car i have had uses a switch that can be instantly activated.

[hybridbear]

That is the only way to turn it off. Check out the section of the Owner's Manual about traction control & driving in snow/ice. It has tips & suggestions of how to best get through those slippery situations. Remember that the hybrid has a completely different powertrain design than a conventional car so it will act differently.

[Toz]

I think you will find that trying to go up an icy hill with traction control off will be much worse then with it on. If you are actually stuck, then it is time to think about turning off the traction control. The traction control gives you fake posi-trac using the abs system. With out it on all of the power will go to the spinning wheel and you will go no where.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Toz

[robster]

thanks...and that's what i meant: momentum slowing in the few seconds before totally stuck. So i wanted traction control off that second in the event that some more vigorous wheel spin would give me a little pavement. but by the time i could figure out how to shut it off, that opportunity was missed, and not only was i stuck, but slipping downhill.

[acdii]

At least the Fusion doesn't do what my 07 Prius did going up an icy hill. The TC on the Prius shut off power to the wheels, so when a wheel spun, no power, talk about a nerve wracking experience climbing that hill. I just kept the pedal floored and eventually bumped and slid up the road. At least with the Fusion, a light throttle is enough to keep it rolling since power is always there.