Is traction control supposed to be like this? SOLVED

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1

I have a NC 2.0 Sport Tech which i assume has traction control unless you press the big DSC button.

My gym car park is compacted dirt/sand with some loose stones. It’s quite easy to spin a wheel when moving off, which is amusing sometimes but also embarrassing when you don’t want to be a hooligan.

I’m just wondering if the traction control is working properly? I know you have to give it some revs to move off without stalling, more the other cars i’ve owned. So that could provoke wheelspin. But shouldn’t TC handle that? I had a BMW 330ci with a lot more power than the MX5 and i had to turn DSC off and give it some welly to do the same.

2

I could if I wanted to spin my back end, looks good too. I resist the challenge, maybe you aren’t quite used to driving on the loose stuff. I say this with the utmost respect.

3

You mean there’s a choice ? :rofl:

I can’t speak of MX-5’s but the old Kia Ceed my parents had with TC would still wheel spin, but it would sort of wiggle on the spot from the back as the TC took over to regain grip.

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4

I could probably do it gently without provoking wheelspin. But the BMW didn’t need special attention to stop it spinning a wheel.

It’s my first MX5 and have had it less than a year. I love the way it encourages you to drive it hard, or that’s my excuse! I was just wondering if it’s normal that it doesn’t stop wheelspin? Or should i say, it allows a bit of wheelspin?

5

If you’re pulling away in 1st gear giving too much throttle could mean too much torque hence wheel-spin. Have you tried pulling away in a higher gear, which is what you would do on snow and ice and a loose dirt/sand/gravel surface is much the same regarding grip. Traction control on, easy on the clutch.

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6

Depends on the condition of the clutch also, if it very sharp engaging, you’ll be wheel spinning everywhere.

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7

Traction control, which works off the ABS sensors can’t do anything until you spin a wheel. I had a Lexus IS250, which had a decent chassis and slippy duff, but the electronics over nanny’d it to such an extent that it was beyond dull. Be thankful that Mazda allow for some play.
And remember, if you hold the button in for 8 seconds it stays off till you restart the car.

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8

I wonder if those of a certain age remember the starting sequence to Magnum PI :smiley:

9

Ferrari 328 wasn’t it? Yes that starting sequence was based on me leaving the gym. :sunglasses:

10

The early NC has a horrendous TC on it. Cuts in all the time. Later models they eased it up a bit to allow a small amount of wheelspin

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11

Whats a Gym?

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12

It’s a place where Sadomasochists go!!!
:heart:

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13

Mine is a mk3.5

14

So did mine until I swapped out the old Bridgestones for decent tyres. It was working correctly in the absence of grip.

15

I have Nankang NS2-R on mine and mapped. Always drive it with the TC off

16

It could be the tyres. I’m still on the obscure tyres that the the car dealer fitted. I noticed that when i floor it out of a junction in the wet, the inside wheel spins then gets under control, then spins again etc.

There’s still lots of tread left on them, but maybe i should change soon. What’s a good tyre for my MX5?

17

Yeah, mine spins easy. Takes a while before TC kicks in…longer than my other cars

18

Good to know.

19

I remember reading it was set to allow a little wheel spin and a small step out before ‘saving you’.
Having tried mine in a track it does indeed allow a small amount of step out, but not much.
I seem to recall reading that turning it off allows more wiggle but you have to hold the button for 10 seconds to completely deactivate it.
I have not tried either as I am a wimp….

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20
  1. The first Magnum Ferrari was a 308 GTS… easiest way to tell is the front bumper.
  2. I have a new ND and it will allow some slip when pulling away in poor grip conditions. How much I am not sure as I always ease off the throttle anyway as soon as I feel/hear some slip, so clearly a bit as I am not that quick.

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