Traction Control?

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Mmjust
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:51 pm

Traction Control?

Post by Mmjust »

Hi all,
My question is regarding traction control. On my Montana, when TC kicks in I can hear it buzzing. My 2009 Vibe however doesn't seem to respond. The other day, at a stop sign on a hill, my wheels spun when I wanted to go! - but no sign of traction control. Do you think something is amiss here? The VSC was not turned off, BTW. And no warning lights are on. And no beeping either.

Maybe I don't have TC like I thought I did? I thought TC was standard on all 2009 Vibe.

-Marco
star_deceiver
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Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Traction Control?

Post by star_deceiver »

It's standard across the board. Did you see the light flashing or beep? The TC light will flash while the system is working and go out as soon as the tires stop spinning enough. If you spin the tires enough, it will also beep slowly.

Take your Vibe to a dirt road and punch it. Set the front wheels a spinnin' and you'll see how the system works.
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Mmjust
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:51 pm

Re: Traction Control?

Post by Mmjust »

OK- I will look for another opportunity to spin tire!
I just got it back in July with only 29K miles on it. Looks just like yours but without the fancy rims.
-Marco
2009 Vibe, FWD Auto, 2.4L
2006 Montana SV6
09vGT
Posts: 1457
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:36 am
Location: Little Rock, AR

Re: Traction Control?

Post by 09vGT »

I find the traction control rather difficult to engage, at least the light and beep. I have to be at a steep incline on wet roads before mine will flash and beep.
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trb
Posts: 1670
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Traction Control?

Post by trb »

If I make a sharp right hand turn while accelerating from a stop briskly, the dash light will flicker for a few seconds, but I never hear anything or feel anything other than a bit of torque steer from the steering wheel. But I can certainly feel the brakes working with the VSC on certain long sweeping curves I tend to take a bit faster than most people. :D
Thomas
the "Mustang Guy"
1987 5.0 LX Mustang
2016 Mustang GT - current daily
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vibenvy
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Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Traction Control?

Post by vibenvy »

Welcome to GenVibe! I too find it pretty difficult to get the Traction Control to beep at me. I think it's only happened a couple times in winter when I was goofing around in the snow. Post some pictures of your Vibe when you get a chance ;)!
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Mmjust
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:51 pm

Re: Traction Control?

Post by Mmjust »

Yep, I got the light to come on for a few seconds when I spit gravel in the berm. It's working! It's a new car for me and I am still getting used to its nuances. I wanted to make sure it worked! Like I said with my Montana there is no doubt when the TSC engages. The Vibe is a little more subtle.

Here it is! This forum was no small factor in me choosing the Vibe. I did a lot of reading here before I got one. I'm happy I did! THANKS!
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-Marco
2009 Vibe, FWD Auto, 2.4L
2006 Montana SV6
star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Traction Control?

Post by star_deceiver »

I find it's intrusion quite annoying, particularly when you're trying to accelerate quickly out of a sharp 90 degree driveway or business access. Drop the clutch, heavy throttle, slight wheel spin, cuts power... a pain when you're trying to get up to speed in busy traffic quickly. Same with sharp on/off ramps taken at speed. Like TRB, I push those speeds... car says NO and pulses the brakes as it thinks I'm about to lose it... But maybe it's diffrent with an auto?

That's why I drive with the system off 99% of the time, summer and winter.
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
jake75
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Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Traction Control?

Post by jake75 »

I am what would be considered an "extremely" conservative driver. The only time I have had the traction control on my 2009 kick in is when making a turn on a snowy/icy road.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
Mmjust
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Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:51 pm

Re: Traction Control?

Post by Mmjust »

I forgot to say it's the FWD automatic with the 2.4L engine. I had not seen the TC engage in the 2 months I have owned the vehicle, until just now in the gravel. Sounds like the manual version TC is much more sensitive. I'm curious how things are gonna go in the winter...
VibeBear
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:23 am

Re: Traction Control?

Post by VibeBear »

I'd say the manual version is way more sensitive with traction control. It doesn't take much at all for the TC light to come on on my '09. As for the beep, I only ever heard it when the VSC kicked in & that was usually only in the winter.
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