traction control?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 286
Likes: 157
traction control?
Anybody disabled the traction control? I've had the truck for 22k miles and just noticed the TC button. So I turned it off just to see if I would notice a difference and guess what? I did. I get a lot of wheel spin( gravel or not) and my MPG went up by 1 MPG. Amazing.
I'm gonna leave it disabled for a week to see if the improved MPG holds up. Wish me luck.
I'm gonna leave it disabled for a week to see if the improved MPG holds up. Wish me luck.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Youngsville, LA
i'm pretty sure he is going to be stuck pushing the button every time he starts the truck, according to experience and the user manual.
remember, there are also different settings you change, depending on how long you press the 'traction control' button. briefly pressing it will just turn of traction control. holding the button for a few seconds with also turn of 'Electronic Stability Control' and 'Roll Stability Control'. If you are traveling over 35mph, the ESC and RSC will automatically re-engage, leaving only TCS as being off.
remember, there are also different settings you change, depending on how long you press the 'traction control' button. briefly pressing it will just turn of traction control. holding the button for a few seconds with also turn of 'Electronic Stability Control' and 'Roll Stability Control'. If you are traveling over 35mph, the ESC and RSC will automatically re-engage, leaving only TCS as being off.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Youngsville, LA
The LCD screen will just display if TCS is on or off. You can't control it from there. I'm also pretty sure that the LCD screen displays nothing about ESC or RSC being on or off, but the user manual explains it. I have also tested out the ESC being off versus just having the TCS off.
You can tell a difference on a gravel road. With just TCS off, you will still maintain positive traction, leaving 2 peel out marks (the best setting for going offroad). With ESC turned off, your truck will act like a true open differential, leaving 1 peel out mark (I see no practical purpose for turning this off).
You can tell a difference on a gravel road. With just TCS off, you will still maintain positive traction, leaving 2 peel out marks (the best setting for going offroad). With ESC turned off, your truck will act like a true open differential, leaving 1 peel out mark (I see no practical purpose for turning this off).
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Your correct, I checked it out on mine after work. My wife's Explorer you have to turn it off through the LCD screen menu. That must have been what I was thinking about, I did see my button on the dash.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
I am definitely gonna try it (turning the TC off) around town for a tank to see if the MPG increases. Heck, it can't hurt.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 286
Likes: 157
i'm pretty sure he is going to be stuck pushing the button every time he starts the truck, according to experience and the user manual.
remember, there are also different settings you change, depending on how long you press the 'traction control' button. briefly pressing it will just turn of traction control. holding the button for a few seconds with also turn of 'Electronic Stability Control' and 'Roll Stability Control'. If you are traveling over 35mph, the ESC and RSC will automatically re-engage, leaving only TCS as being off.
remember, there are also different settings you change, depending on how long you press the 'traction control' button. briefly pressing it will just turn of traction control. holding the button for a few seconds with also turn of 'Electronic Stability Control' and 'Roll Stability Control'. If you are traveling over 35mph, the ESC and RSC will automatically re-engage, leaving only TCS as being off.
Not bad for a one ton flatbed truck with a reliable gas motor.
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
The LCD screen will just display if TCS is on or off. You can't control it from there. I'm also pretty sure that the LCD screen displays nothing about ESC or RSC being on or off, but the user manual explains it. I have also tested out the ESC being off versus just having the TCS off.
You can tell a difference on a gravel road. With just TCS off, you will still maintain positive traction, leaving 2 peel out marks (the best setting for going offroad). With ESC turned off, your truck will act like a true open differential, leaving 1 peel out mark (I see no practical purpose for turning this off).
You can tell a difference on a gravel road. With just TCS off, you will still maintain positive traction, leaving 2 peel out marks (the best setting for going offroad). With ESC turned off, your truck will act like a true open differential, leaving 1 peel out mark (I see no practical purpose for turning this off).
I had this happen to me. I couldn't figure out why my truck seemed to be stumbling while trying to get out. The Lower Control Arms on the front axle were hooked in the ground good and when the tires started slipping the AdvanceTrac system cut my power and I stopped dead. Took one hell of a tug to get me out. Once I turned off TCS/AdvanceTrac the truck would finally let me have full power in 4LO to help climb my way out of the holes I had dug my self into.
I will also add that I have an E-Locker so I had had 3 tires digging when I was trying to get through.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: oswego, new york
Holding the button until the AdvanceTrac off message is displayed and disabling the RSC/ESC is helpful when you are laying on the frame in the mud and trying to get pulled out. When all 4 tires start spinning even in 4LO that system will kick in and try to make them stop slipping by cutting power way back.
I had this happen to me. I couldn't figure out why my truck seemed to be stumbling while trying to get out. The Lower Control Arms on the front axle were hooked in the ground good and when the tires started slipping the AdvanceTrac system cut my power and I stopped dead. Took one hell of a tug to get me out. Once I turned off TCS/AdvanceTrac the truck would finally let me have full power in 4LO to help climb my way out of the holes I had dug my self into.
I will also add that I have an E-Locker so I had had 3 tires digging when I was trying to get through.
I had this happen to me. I couldn't figure out why my truck seemed to be stumbling while trying to get out. The Lower Control Arms on the front axle were hooked in the ground good and when the tires started slipping the AdvanceTrac system cut my power and I stopped dead. Took one hell of a tug to get me out. Once I turned off TCS/AdvanceTrac the truck would finally let me have full power in 4LO to help climb my way out of the holes I had dug my self into.
I will also add that I have an E-Locker so I had had 3 tires digging when I was trying to get through.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Dearborn Heights, Mi 4812
My 2010 F250 6.4 Has the Traction Control and NO BUTTON to turn it off! 
Got stuck 3 times this last winter
Does anyone know how to disable it for good without having the button on the dash ????????????????
Thanks for the info and help
Got stuck 3 times this last winter
Does anyone know how to disable it for good without having the button on the dash ????????????????
Thanks for the info and help
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Bardstown, KY
I can't say for sure if turning off the tc on my f250 increases mileage or not.
I will say when I first got the truck, the cruise control was jerky and surged up and down.
I now drive with the tc turned off and the cruise control is super smooth.
I will say when I first got the truck, the cruise control was jerky and surged up and down.
I now drive with the tc turned off and the cruise control is super smooth.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Bardstown, KY
I turn off the sway control and traction control every time I start my truck up while pulling a trailer.