Can I keep TCS off?

[Matt]

.... plus I'm sure the dash would give a reminder its off, just like it currently does.

[AJeepZJ]

FWIW, seatbelts are required here, and probably will be required in every state in the near future.

So are you saying that the government should mandate that all vehicles come equipped with AWD and TCS? Cause, that seems to be what you're saying... that vehicles equipped without them are "unsafe".

I don't do government discussions, lol. But I will say that if you deduced in my response that uncle sam should mandate TCS in all vehicles, I admit I unintentionally mislead you!

I don't think there's any disagreement that its a benefit for sure. Just that its a benefit, not a required piece of safety equipment like seatbelts or airbags. There's not a single car (legal anyway) that doesn't have seatbelts and airbags, but there's plenty without traction control systems. Therein lies my [respectful] disagreement with AJ on the topic of whether we should be able to do a special key dance to keep TCS off while on long off-road excursions. ... the risk of leaving it off, IMO, is minimal and not nearly on the level of "unsafe" as is not wearing seatbelts since leaving it off would put us in similar (and still somewhat better) traction &control situations than many other non-awd vehicles on the road, aaaand disabling TCS doesn't disable our airbags or seatbelts

You'll have to pardon my passionate discussion in the topic, lol. Industrial hygiene and occupational/public health and safety is what I do. (for now anyway, lol). But, I definitely understand your argument though. And you are right, there are plenty of vehicles that are without TCS systems, especially older vehicles. But these vehicles should not be the standard for which we compare safety. I think the premise behind what I'm saying is that having a manual switch to engage/disengage the TCS at will - carries a certain amount of risk. It is difficult for me to dismiss TCS as minimal in it's application for highway safety, as this technology IS a safety feature for vehicles in which it is equipped.

But I do compromise, because I can understand the purpose for why it would need to be disabled. And If say, you came to me, told me you wanted to do what the OP is trying to accomplish. I'd probably say "under the condition that...." And in this case, it would be under the condition that the vehicle notifies the driver that TCS is disabled at a 40mph or greater, and the vehicle is used daily as a primary means of transportation. Or maybe that the vehicle is somehow registered as a recreational vehicle, or towed to site.

At the end of the day when you come home to tell your kids, family,etc, that you could have died. It will be you that will be the one grateful to be alive!