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Many new cars are now fitted with traction control. I have discovered that this is of very limited benefit in ice and snow. It would seem to me that for the competent driver who has good throttle control and does not bury the accelorator pedal every he pulls away, the device is of limited value. Therefore is it really worth paying extra for the device? Opinions would be appreciated.

Different makers use different systems , as in how they control the speed variant between the drive wheels some systems apply the brakes to the wheel that is deemed to be spining others just switch the throttle down , reducing power to both wheels . Some systems like the bmw set-up (which mine doesn't have) also measure the drift of the rear end to the front end , bm's being driven from the rear . I know alot of bm drivers who think their asc+t system (automatic stability control + traction) is really good , but i can't speak for meself as mine doesn't have it . JJ

I got a BMW with ASC and its fantastic in the dry, wet and on greasy surfaces etc but it totally useless in the snow. However, this is probably as much to with the car being RWD as anything but the one time I got stuck in snow the only way I could get out was to switch the ASC off and do some rather clever throttle control otherwise I was going no where!

Jason