Traction Control/Diff Stranded Me

[AntneeUK]

We've had some really bad snow here today and when I came home I managed to make it to the bottom of my street, which is a hill, but couldn't get up.

I noticed that everytime one front wheel had grip but the other didn't, that the one without it would spin while the other did nothing. I'd really have prefered it the other way round.

Can anyone explain what was happening, why, and how to stop it (if possible)

 

[m0rk]

That's how an open diff works

The wheel with the least grip will get all the torque

 

[Disco_Mikey]

Only way around it is to fit a Limited Slip Diff. Better traction and handling too

 

[AntneeUK]

Hmm, thought that might be the way. Aren't we talking over £1000 for that? May be worth it in the long run mind you... Maybe

 

[jscottuk]

Do you have esp? I sometimes have to turn off esp on slow inclines, as it seems to break wheels to keep me in a straight line.

 

[AntneeUK]

Yeah, tried that, but no luck

 

[CHRIS87]

we have had quite a bit of snow, and the only way i managed to get up hills was tot urn off the traction control - going up hill all power was cut witht he esp on.

 

[Mylo]

had this on holiday last month, the only solution was to drive across the grass in the deepest snow

Not practical outside a country park though

 

[andypotts1981]

I got stranded on a really slight incline today.... had the boot full with 2 pc's and a server and all my usual bits and pieces i've got to fix them.

I ended up putting all i could on the front passenger seat to get going...

 

[godber225r]

Thought the esp was really good tonight the light was flashing constantly but it got me up hills really good system, the only annoying thing is i got a puncture so had to leave car at side of road and walk home 3 miles!!!

also tyreweld is shite!!! dont bother with it. never worked for me tonight!!.

 

[TWR_Jaguar]

I know that quaffe LSDs for a ST24 are about £600 new.

 

[jonesy118]

I know that quaffe LSDs for a ST24 are about £600 new.

Yeah, but fitting is not really a DIY job and you'll pay a good few hundred £ getting it fitted at a gearbox specialist.

 

[OFI]

had this on holiday last month, the only solution was to drive across the grass in the deepest snow

Not practical outside a country park though

Similar here, had to put one wheel in the wet muddy ditch coming down a hill to get traction Felt odd..

Back in February I made the mistake of trying to get up a hill with TCS on. As has been said LSD is the only way to get sensible power where you want it but sometimes turning off TCS can be a benefit.

 

[james walker]

looking at 1200 quid for a quaife fitted to o2m box.

600 for the diff, 120 for ring gear kit plus fitting and oil.....

 

[Willie]

An ATB LSD wouldn't help you in this situation.
All a ATB (Automatic Torque Baised differential) does is magnify the grip one wheel has and switch it to the other wheel.
With zero grip on the spinning side 0 x say 2 is still 0.

This is where the new generation of ATB diffs come into their own like the Autotec Wavetrac.
If trying to climb this same hill again don't accelerate, just slowly feed in the clutch and slowly get going then get into second gear ASAP.
Also winter tyres would have got you up that hill.
But winter tyres and a differential and you would have been all the way home.

WHY DO PEOPLE NOT USE WINTER TYRES??????????

 

[AntneeUK]

I must admit Willie, I did try feeding in the clutch very slowly, and it worked to get me going, but very soon the car was going sideways, no matter what action I tried. Getting going wasn't a problem, but as soon as the drift started I was stuck. I had to reverse and start again, and the exact same thing happened every time.

I do agree about the use of winter tyres, but since I don't have a spare set of wheels I'm a bit buggered

 

[splitpin]

A friend tried some of those snow socks and said they were great, just popped them on when he got stuck and he was away!

 

[Willie]

Why cant you get your summer tyres removed in December and put them back on in March/April like I and many others do?
For my Leon I picked up a set of alloys for £100, now I have the winter tyres on these so easy to fit and remove without using a tyre shop.

 

[Willie]

A friend tried some of those snow socks and said they were great, just popped them on when he got stuck and he was away!

Not fond of the idea behind these as you risking your life fitting these

 

[AntneeUK]

Why cant you get your summer tyres removed in December and put them back on in March/April like I and many others do?

Because it costs money that I don't have right now?

Splitpin, does he just put them on in the tricky bits or drive all the way with them?