In my newer 2014 300c awd the threshold for activation of the traction control seems much higher. It doesn't seem to kick in until it's almost too late. This has me concerned that when I really need it it wont do the job.

Note, I normally never drive in a way that traction control is needed but with a new car I want to know what it's envelope is so I've been testing it in the recent snow storms here.

Mine is the same, VERY loose compared to the '11 Lucerne I had before. I'm hoping new tires will negate the need for Traction Control.

 

Hi,

After driving about 800 miles on horrible snow covered highways the last week, I can say that the 2014 300c awd somehow, doesn't even compare to the stability of my 2006 300c awd.

I remember thinking, 'it's behaving like a rwd car', then I remembered reading about how the new model leaves the front transaxle disconnected until it thinks it needs it for fuel economy.

Otherwise, I'm not sure what to think. It's white knuckle compared to my old one. The only difference being the tires, i had blizzaks on my 2006 and xice2 on this one.

The traction control system never engaged the entire drive...

 

Make sure the AWD system is working properly. It should not be a "white knuckle" experience and the system should engage if RWD traction is an issue.

 

I don't have AWD, but if I remember right doesn't it engage full time under ~ 37 - 38 degrees?

 

I have a RWD 300 with nearly 40K miles on it. The only time I've ever seen that traction control light come on is when I'm driving on dry pavement while cornering and can feel no wheel slip.

This morning I had some issues getting out of my neighborhood due to snow, and the rear wheels were slipping rather dramatically. Not a blip from that traction control light.

How is this feature supposed to work? Is it braking force to the wheel losing traction?

Edited to add: on the way home I got onto a snowy patch again and gunned the engine. The traction light came on that time as it slid sideways. I'm still curious how this feature works, and why it comes on when I'm cornering on dry pavement and not gunning it.

 

Yea I've seen my TC light on when making sharp turns, for instance pulling away from a stop sign making a 90 degree right turn... Not gunning, just driving, and no discernible wheel slip. However I also notice when I have the system off that the car generally seems quicker and more eager, so it may be doing some dumbing down of the engine regardless of wheel slip.

Now... from the owner's manual for my 2012

AWD
"To maximize fuel economy, your AWD vehicle automatically defaults to rear-wheel drive (RWD) when road and environmental conditions are such that wheel slip is
unlikely to occur. When specific road and environmental conditions require increased levels of road traction, the vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic AWD operation could be activated by outside temperature, wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there may be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel slip condition occurs). AWD can also be manually selected by moving the shift lever into the AutoStick mode (+/-) or activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of time. Drive mode, RWD or AWD, is displayed momentarily in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the gage area of the vehicle display when the transmission is first shifted into gear, and if the drive mode changes during vehicle operation."

Traction Control System (TCS)
"This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability."

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESC corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.

The ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the condition of oversteer or understeer.

 

However I also notice when I have the system off that the car generally seems quicker and more eager, so it may be doing some dumbing down of the engine regardless of wheel slip.

This is exactly how I felt but wasn't sure if it was just my imagination or what. My cousin, who owns a 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe says that his engines power reduction is static with TC on and that it may be the same with my SRT8. If this is true I'm gonna leave TC off on nice days. Would be nice to get confirmation on this...