Was your Thunderbird from the '90s? My Lincoln has the same system. It's different than the typical traction control though, it shuts off at 34 MPH and will do nothing to prevent spinning out at speed. I've always understood that it brakes the spinning wheel though.

I've never heard anything bad about that solution, but traction control has always worked for me. My favorite solution was the factory e-locker in my '13.

 

didnt see what kinda motor the op has maybe its a hydraboost thing... i plow snow with mine and be lovin my anti locks

 

I believe the TBird was 1996.
What traction control does is what I have done for years on farm tractors that do not have a differential lock. Just ease on the brake of the wheel that is spinning to transfer some of the power to the other wheel. That seems to work well when I manually do it. It doesn't work when our trucks try to automatically do it.

 

That's a good one! If you'd died as a result of not having ABS you wouldn't be posting.

 

I will agree many people do need abs, traction control, hill/grade control, parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and blondstar for after going in the ditch after having all these aids. Because lets face it, people can barely get their selves dressed now days let alone handle a 2+ton vehicle down the road in any condition.

But I would like the option to have a vehicle without anything on it that I alone control because I know I can.

 

Have not tried this on my Excursion, but "sometimes" you can fool the ABS/traction control/etc. systems by engaging the parking brake just enough to make the dash light come on. Often, the computer deactivates these systems when the parking brake is "engaged"..


I wouldn't drive around like that (in case a tiny bit of rubbing is going on).

 

Thats how you shut the daytime running lights off on a chevy truck.

 

That is just a bonus Nearly EVERY person who got in my Tahoe said - your high beams are on.. I would just say "thanks".


EDIT: for those that don't know.. The DRL have a GREEN dash symbol similar to the high-beams.

 

It's not just a "now days" problem. The reason all these aids are on vehicles now is because so many people "back then" had problems without them. The majority of people just can't drive, regardless of then or now.

 

I honestly think there is a comfort factor or maybe disconnect going on. Modern cars and trucks for one thing are quiet, this is one way we get cut off from our surroundings. They are comfortable. Power steering means no "feel" with the road, same with the power brakes. Everything is padded, designed to crumple, and collapsible steering column. Air bags give a sense of security, etc. All these are good things, but way too many people drive beyond whatever safety margin is built in as technology progresses.

Many people will be functional idiots just about the time automatic-driven cars are introduced, just in the nick of time, I guess, before they are mandatory. Anyone wanting to drive will be branded a nutcase, naturally.

 

I was talking just the other day with a friend who is a county Sheriff. We were talking about how years ago it doesn't seem like there were as many accidents as there is today, or at least seems that way.

Out of all the things we discussed the reasons we figure there seems to be more accidents now days is because of a cumulative of "stuff". Like mentioned cars nearly drive themselves now so there is no "need" to actually learn how to drive. Vehicles also have to many gadgets now days to be adjusting, looking at, playing with, and whatnot, not to mention the gadgets people also bring along like phones, ipods, and stuff.

People forgot (or never learned) how to drive and then they have a bunch of things to distract them from the thing they don't know how to do in the first place.

Years ago the only gadget you had to play with was the tuning **** on the radio. Cars didn't handle great, stop great, or do anything great really so you had to stay on your toes to keep the car going strait down the road. You actually had to pay attention to driving.

Also at the same time years ago everyone moved slower. Speed limits over 55 were unheard of. In fact it has been quite a few years since I seen a speedometer where the 55mph number was a different color than the rest. People weren't in a hurry to get anywhere years ago. If it snowed people slowed down.

Then also the population is up from years ago as well and nearly everyone has a car instead of the single "family" car.


Personally I think that if we still didn't have all the aids people would be better drivers because they would have to be in order to get anywhere safe. I believe because of the aids people have lost touch of how to maneuver a vehicle. Like mentioned it is only going to get worse until the car drives itself. I really hope it is never "required" to have a self driving car. Instead I would hope there would be two licenses offered, one license to actually drive a car after taking a driving test. Then a second license to the people that failed the driving test or have no interest in driving, those are the people that require a self driving car with a flashing light on top.


I feel I am just rambling on now.

I always hope that other idiots problems don't become my problems but it seems it does. I just wish vehicle manufacturers had an off button for all the idiot aids. Put it in a spot where an idiot won't find it, that'll keep'em safe from themselves.