How much of an issue is traction control on the '12s?

[vanished]

I ran across some comments on dodgetalk about not being able to turn off TC completely on the '12s (without a tuner, which I won't do under warranty) and having it kick in off roading... It appears this is true! I would think this is a BAD thing in the deep mud/snow.. What are your experiences? Can you still get mud out of your tire pattern? Is it really obtrusive?

[Juday]

There's a button on the dash that allows you to turn the traction control system off. I don't know what the big deal is?............

[Dawizman]

Yeah, you can hold the button for 5 seconds while stopped in 4hi, and it disables it. Also, in 4 low it turns off as well. The biggest problem in deep snow is axle hop.

[vanished]

From the thread on dodgetalk it says even when it's 'off' it's not off... Just less prevelant.. that's my concern...

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Even in 4-Lo with the lockers engaged you can hear the traction control come on (the first time it happened I thought my lockers were taking a shit on me). You can hold that little traction control button all day if you want, but it doesn’t go off 100% (thank you Big Brother). I’ll be honest it really hasn’t proven to be an issue to me when I’ve been locked and going through deep snow. You mostly hear the traction control kicking in when you start to turn your wheel, but if you’re locked in 4-Lo you’re not going to be doing a lot of turning anyway. The biggest issue I’ve had is the tires themselves, they are a decent A/T tire but they are not a great off road tire once you get into rotten snow (it acts just like mud). I think with an aggressive off road tire it really won’t be that big of an issue, and if it is thankfully we still have that thing with the Warn sticker behind the front bumper.

[Dawizman]

Yeah, I remember reading about it never actually being fully disengaged. I have never noticed it doing anything when I did turn it off. I was able to go out on the lake and rip donuts no problem. I'll have to pay more attention when I get my truck back.

[vanished]

Thanks Dawizman, that's a little more promising at least!

[stubiePW]

The first time I went out, I didn't know about turning it off. I got stuck in a hole and I could get any power. I was really disappointed, but then learned to turn it off.
I was going balls to the wall spinning the tires in 4hi and never heard the TC kick in. If you turn it off (hold button for 5 sec) it will be disabled until you hit 40 mph, then it will kick in. I have also used 4 low with the lockers trying to get up a muddy hill, and I never heard the TC kick in. But I was not really listening to it.
I have had no problem with it at all personally. Its a pain in the ass to have to hold a button down, but its worked for me.
I also think it'd be nice if I turn of the truck, I wouldn't have to re-disengage the sway bar... dumb. WHen I stop to watch my buddies and I turn the truck off.
Just a pet peeve.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

The first time I went out, I didn't know about turning it off. I got stuck in a hole and I could get any power. I was really disappointed, but then learned to turn it off.
I was going balls to the wall spinning the tires in 4hi and never heard the TC kick in. If you turn it off (hold button for 5 sec) it will be disabled until you hit 40 mph, then it will kick in. I have also used 4 low with the lockers trying to get up a muddy hill, and I never heard the TC kick in. But I was not really listening to it.
I have had no problem with it at all personally. Its a pain in the ass to have to hold a button down, but its worked for me.
I also think it'd be nice if I turn of the truck, I wouldn't have to re-disengage the sway bar... dumb. WHen I stop to watch my buddies and I turn the truck off.
Just a pet peeve.

After reading this post I had to go out and play with the truck a little today. Sure enough, if you are stoped and hold the TC button for around 5 seconds it turns the whole thing off. I had only tried it while moving and it doesn't do a thing. I stand corrected- thank you for posting this. I still think the TC tries to come on when in 4-Lo, but it's not all that noticable.

[stubiePW]

The first time I went out, I didn't know about turning it off. I got stuck in a hole and I could get any power. I was really disappointed, but then learned to turn it off.
I was going balls to the wall spinning the tires in 4hi and never heard the TC kick in. If you turn it off (hold button for 5 sec) it will be disabled until you hit 40 mph, then it will kick in. I have also used 4 low with the lockers trying to get up a muddy hill, and I never heard the TC kick in. But I was not really listening to it.
I have had no problem with it at all personally. Its a pain in the ass to have to hold a button down, but its worked for me.
I also think it'd be nice if I turn of the truck, I wouldn't have to re-disengage the sway bar... dumb. WHen I stop to watch my buddies and I turn the truck off.
Just a pet peeve.

After reading this post I had to go out and play with the truck a little today. Sure enough, if you are stoped and hold the TC button for around 5 seconds it turns the whole thing off. I had only tried it while moving and it doesn't do a thing. I stand corrected- thank you for posting this. I still think the TC tries to come on when in 4-Lo, but it's not all that noticable.

No problem. Yea, if you are rolling at all, it won't do it. It is a pain in the ass, but when I am going out to play, before I do anything I disconnect the sway bar (just for fun) and turn of TC. The first few times before I knew about that, I was really upset with the truck for bogging down and giving me no power. I might have been able to pull through knowing that trick.

[julesman64]

Good to know about the stopped/5 second deal. I was told at the dealership that even if you hit the T/C button, the traction/stability control would always be 25% active unless you were in 4low, no matter what.

I first read about a similar problem with the 2010 or 2011 (can't remember) Dodge Vipers.... could you imagine being duped into purchasing a relentless beast like that and not being able to shut of the stability control?? Good grief Charlie Brown.

[Cactus Red]

Regardless if the TC is off, or what tire you're using for tires, rear axle hop will be the limiting factor in snow or mud. That's just what the stock springs do...

[MSCH2112]

i've had an incident 2 times this winter, both going up a steep hill in deep snow in 4low with lockers on. i noticed the truck rpm's slowed down dramatically and felt like i had no power then it would kick in and rev up again and do it all over again. all i wanted was to spin tires fast going up! i wonder if this TC kicked in. i haven't messed with the TC but was in 4low and from reading it's suppose to go off.

mike

[Dawizman]

Regardless if the TC is off, or what tire you're using for tires, rear axle hop will be the limiting factor in snow or mud. That's just what the stock springs do...

Ain't that the truth. Axle hop is the worst feeling when you're crawling through deep snow. If you get the tires spinning enough, you can usually paddle on through, and stop the hop.

[TwinStick]

My experience in deep snow has been as follows: Low speed = axle hop, power at low speed = more axle hop. Lo range 4th or 5th gear @ 3000-5000 rpms with tires spinning like a MoFo seems to be the ticket for me. I know that is not always feasible but it sure seems to work when it is.