Wheeling and Traction Control

[BonesWK]

I have never really thought about this, but what effect does this have when wheeling? I never have messed with it when off road, just kept it ON.

What is the best practice? Is it dependent on terrain? School me

Wheeling with TCS ON, or with TCS OFF?

[Matt]

Can't really think about a good reason to keep it on. Turning it completely off kills the part that cuts power to the engine; that's good for on-road driving because it'll prevent the vehicle from spinning out of control.... but for offroading, whether its mud, rocks, climbing, etc, you don't want the TCS killing engine power.

[07JeepXK]

Whenever I'm off roading (or in 4-low) I press and hold down the traction control button for 10 seconds until I here the chime. The dash will display ESP OFF if I recall correctly. This ONLY partially disables the traction control and is the best option for off road driving. With it partially disabled you dont have to worry about the engine bogging down and if you lose traction due to one tire being off of the ground the vehicle will still be able to have forward movement. The only way to completely disable traction control is to pull the fuse under the hood or rig up a togggle switch like I have. The only problem with totally disabling the traction control is QT II has open front/rear differentials. So once one tire comes off the ground your not going anywhere. Well unless you install a rear locker!

[lekmedm]

Whenever I'm off roading (or in 4-low) I press and hold down the traction control button for 10 seconds until I here the chime. The dash will display ESP OFF if I recall correctly. This ONLY partially disables the traction control and is the best option for off road driving. With it partially disabled you dont have to worry about the engine bogging down and if you lose traction due to one tire being off of the ground the vehicle will still be able to have forward movement. The only way to completely disable traction control is to pull the fuse under the hood or rig up a togggle switch like I have. The only problem with totally disabling the traction control is QT II has open front/rear differentials. So once one tire comes off the ground your not going anywhere. Well unless you install a rear locker!

I don't believe this to be true. You can partially disable the ESP system while driving by pressing the button. I believe you can completely shut down the system with the button, but you must be in Park to do so. I'll try to dig up a copy of the manual that explains this.



From page 141 of the 2007 owners manual:

Full Off (4WD Models Only) This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by depressing and holding the “ESP Control Switch” for 5 seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. After 5 seconds, the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will illuminate, and the _ESP OFF_ message will appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.

In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off” mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road driving but ESP function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The “ESP/ TCS Indicator Light” will always be illuminated when ESP is off. To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the “ESP Control Switch”. This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.

NOTE: The “ESP OFF” message will display and the audible chime will sound when the gear selector is placed into the “P” (Park) position from any position other than “P” (Park), and then moved out of the “P” (Park) position. This will occur even if the message was previously cleared.

This pertains to working in 4-Hi. Page 142 describes the system in 4-Lo.


HTH

[pjmjr508]

I don't believe this to be true. You can partially disable the ESP system while driving by pressing the button. I believe you can completely shut down the system with the button, but you must be in Park to do so. I'll try to dig up a copy of the manual that explains this.



From page 141 of the 2007 owners manual:



This pertains to working in 4-Hi. Page 142 describes the system in 4-Lo.


HTH

Thanks for the great info

[Sal-XK]

For just rock crawling which is what I do the most just putting it in 4LO is the best option. This keeps the system on enough to grab that spinning wheel quickly and keep you moving. I've tried it with holding the button down and it didn't work to well for the rocks where you have tires off the ground all the time. For the beach I just leave it in HI and hit the button never had a problem in that configuration either. For mud and snow listen to Matt and 07jeepXK since that what they find them selves in way more then I do I avoid the stuff LOL. Also I remember reading the flow chart for the computer system and the computer is never truly off I just wish I could find that thing again.

[Sal-XK]

Would getting lockers in my 3.7L supplement well for not having 4 high/low?

Yes it would help but I would say the money spent on that would be better spent on swapping in nv245 TC.


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[Matt]

seems I have sparked a debate, interesting replys guys. Keep the info coming.

Im using QDII, the only problem I have is when climbing a hill the engine doesnt put out power at some points and it gets a little frustrating, while the TCS is on.

That's exactly why I turn it off.

Other than debating exactly what pressing the button does, I don't think there's any debate as to whether you should keep it on or not (well except maybe for Sal's case).

For QDII, turn it off so there's nothing bogging the engine down. The ELSDs take care of the rest.

[Sal-XK]

Ya know people stress over the computer for doing this but really who cares right. Put it in low and let the dash light up like a x-mass tree. It's better then not having low range any day.


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[07JeepXK]

What do u mean? I have already done a QT I to QT II swap and had no lights come on after the install...well besides the 4 low light