Re: Traction Control

[Chuck Simpson <csimpson@zeltech.com>]

In my experience with my car, I've noticed that the few times
I actually revved the car enough to spin a wheel, the other
wheel will somehow catch and grip which causes the car
to jerk myself and my passengers and nearly give us
whiplash.  I've always assumed this was the traction-control
at work.

I usually try to prevent the car from spinning out during
heavy acceleration.

BTW, I have a '98 Jetta GLX-VR6 with 9,600 miles.  :)

-Chuck Simpson...


Benjamin M. Piecuch wrote:

> I own a '98 GLX with about 10k miles, and I've realized that
> the traction control has never worked.  In my early stages of
> learning how to drive the 5-speed, I smoked the tires.  During
> the rain, leaving a toll booth, I spun the tires, on gravel
> driveways, I spun the tires.  Obviously, the traction control
> isn't working the way I would expect it to.  Is the TC some
> to control torque steer under heavy acceleration, or is something
> just not working.  I'm bringing it in for it's 10k service on
> Friday, so any suggestions would be very helpful.
>
> P.S.  What's the general concensus on computer chip upgrades?
>       I've heard about the P-Chip, the Neuspeed, and the Garret.
>       What do people have, what are the differences between them,
>       and do they really make that much of a difference over the
>       stock chip?
>
> --
> Benjamin M. Piecuch
> Hamilton Standard
> Space Systems International