Community Chat

[goldensrbest]

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@gardenman wrote:

Traction control is a feature that many "recreational" drivers turn off. (At least in cars where you can turn it off.) They like to have more control (or lack thereof) of the car.

Traction control is typically one of the three-part systems of traction control, stability control, and anti-lock brakes that all work together. All three typically work together so when you tell the car to accelerate or turn it does so in a safe manner. 

Traction control typically controls the ABS and power to the wheels to keep the car from skidding or fishtailing around corners. (Something "recreational" drivers sometimes like to do which is why they turn it off.) Stability control helps to prevent rollovers from top-heavy SUVs, and the antilock brakes ensure that all four wheels brake evenly without one locking up. 

Do you "need" traction control? Well, it depends. Before 1971 no cars had traction control. If you drive slowly and carefully, don't speed, aren't aggressive, and only drive in good weather, you probably don't "need" traction control. 

I'd get it fixed regardless of the cost as failing to do so could get you in trouble should there be an accident. Insurance companies look for reasons not to pay claims. A malfunctioning traction control system that you were aware of but chose not to get fixed, whether it played a role in the crash or not, could be a reason for them to ignore a claim and cost you more than fixing the system. The cost to fix it could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars (for a malfunctioning sensor or two) to thousands of dollars if the computer that controls everything has failed. 

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Thank you, your post makes sense to me ,i do not understand cars.

[Sooner]

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@hckynutjohn wrote:

@Snowpuppy 

@goldensrbest  said her SUV was 22 years old. It appears from reading other posts, she might be talking about the ABS(auto brake system). If so, that feature did not become standard equipment until 2004. Out SUV is a 2004, so it came Standard equipped. Had we bought a 2003 model, it would have been a, paid for, option.

hckynut  🇺🇸

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@hckynutjohn As I understand it, traction control is basically an anti-slip function where both wheels spin together, but not an actually "pulling" mechanism as is 4- or 2-wheel drive. Back in the 60's we had what was called "posi-track" on a car.  Helped us survive a tornado we met on the highway. . . 

I looked it up and saw this: 

haynes.com

• Roughly speaking, the 4 wheel drive is for going in the snow and the traction control system is to help on the ice, but does nothing to pull you through deep snow. I have heard the traction control system engage while running in both 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive.
• AWD and 4WD systems help the car move forward, but traction control can also improve braking and handling. When wheel slip is detected, the system activates the brakes and reduces throttle to retain grip.

[CatsyCline]

@goldensrbest     In what shape is the body and more importantly the undercarriage?   Thats a big deal i think in Northern climates wih all the snow and road treatments .  i had to give my '03 Subaru 190k due to undercarriage being toast. No it wasnt a Benz but it ran and ran just  maintained it,  bad winters killed it.

But the Benz's are tanks and can easily go 200k mi plus . You've run it this long..sound like you've well- maintained it.   if it's not burning oil and you aren't throwing ridiculous $$ at it daily than get it repaired!   of course you've got the Benz labor rates and parts.

[Harpa]

DH said that means the main computer is going bad, and it is very, very expensive to fix.

(He's out there now, putting on new brakes on our "Brick".)

Sorry about the car woes!

[Sooner]

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@RedTop wrote:

Regardless of how much it costs, it will still be cheaper than a new car!  

Do you need all of the switches/sensors replaced?

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@RedTop It isn't cheaper if you spend money and it needs more a month later, and more a couple months after that then you can't fix it. . . hard to figure!  

[Zhills]

Have the total vehicle checked.  I just paid $2,000 to replace the "light control module" on a 2010 but the mechanic told me that he could not find anything else on the vehicle even questionable!  It was in perfect shape...module just went bad!

I'm still driving it.  Got almost 30,000 on it!

[SilleeMee]

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@goldensrbest wrote:

Any one have real knowledge about cars? Any mechanic on here ? I f you do not know ,please do not respond to my post ,my suv,is 22 yrs,old, yes 22 yrs.old 126,000 miles on it, my traction control is going, my mechanic said it would be very expensive to fix, did not say how much ,i will ask this week, i can not buy a new one,may have to look at leasing.

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@goldensrbest 

If that was my vehicle then I would be looking for another one, probably a nice used one. 126,000 miles is a tired engine and more things are bound to fail. 

[pigletsmom]

My ABS/traction control has been busted for a few years now. When it first started going wonky the code was saying a sensor was bad which meant replacing a wheel bearing. Did that of course and it didn't work but thankfully I did need a new bearing anyway.

Needless to say it eventually went completely and it was the wiring that finally frayed all the way through. Honestly once it went out for good it was easier because the ABS wasn't randomly kicking in. I have too many miles on this car for it to be worth the fix, I don't need it for inspection and I notice no difference in driving and obviously I'm old enough that I drove before it was even a thing. Plus at this point I'd miss the lights on my dash.