We're expecting some snow this weekend. We just bought the car not long ago and I'm currious if it really helps all that much? What kind(s) of benefits come with using it? We've not got the owners manual. Any thoughts on the traction control or the other aspects of this car are appreciated. I can add too that when driving it makes a sound similar to that of a cd player which is continual searching for the next track. Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this? I turn the cd player off and even remove the cds' from the player and it still does it. Thanks!
2007-12-14 00:45:54 · 7 answers · asked by WEISWEISBABY 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
i just bought a 2002 grand prix a few months ago and it snowed for the first time 2 weeks ago. It was the first time driving in the car when it snowed and the traction control came on saying low trac and then the light would go off a few seconds later. I was still sliding around only on turns though. maybe i was driving too fast. but its there so you wont slide.
2007-12-14 05:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by ☺#1 Packers Fan☺ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The traction control takes power away from the wheels when they start to slip or spin. It can help a lot on snow covered or icy roads. I have always liked Grand Prixs my first car was a 1997 Gt and I replaced it this year with an 06' Gt. As for the cd player noise I have no idea what is causing that.
2007-12-14 11:05:12 · answer #2 · answered by pontgranprix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't most cars have it these days? (my new subaru does) The new thing that all the good SUVs have nowadays is called 'stability control' which essentially controlls throttle and brakes to prevent you from overcontrolling a vehicle so it doesn't Roll over. Rollovers were identified as a leading cause of fatalities in vehicles that were otherwise safe in non-rollover crashes. In the old days (and traction control has been around since the 60's- on cars like the grand prix) it was done rather expensively with the rear differential, mechanically. Now- electronic sensors in the wheels detect wheel spin and use the already available anti-lock brake system to stop wheels from spinning and transfer power to the alternate wheel. Less expensive and every bit as effective (if not more so) than the old differential based design.
2016-05-23 22:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The traction control works by automatically applying the brake to a individual drive wheels to prevent them from spinning and thus shifting the power to the wheel with more traction. It will not keep you from sliding, it is designed mainly to keep you from getting stuck.
One problem with the GM traction control is that the connectors on the wheel sensors sometimes get some corrosion. This causes the the traction control to activate errantly. The result is an annoying thrumming sound coming from one of the wheels as the brake is rapidly pulsed keep the other wheel from spinning.
I have a 2001 Aztek, that was doing the same thing, and it suddenly cleared up on its own. If it bothers you when it is not needed, you can hit the disable traction button on the dash.
2007-12-14 11:11:02 · answer #4 · answered by Niklaus Pfirsig 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it just cuts power to the wheels when the start slipping. When it snows i usually turn it off so i can actually get somewhere because sometimes with traction control in the snow u may have a hard time gettin out.
2007-12-15 12:24:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the traction control off in the snow! All it does is wear the brake pads out. It is little help as far as "control" and does more to hinder you when stuck in the snow.
2007-12-17 07:32:54 · answer #6 · answered by thebax2006 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep
2007-12-15 05:28:14 · answer #7 · answered by Pete S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋