Quick question on traction control...how's it work? Retard the Timing or use the brakes? Reason being my way of winter driving (hasnt let me down yet) is keep my foot to the floor and let the TC sort it out...which so far has been great! Zero issues! But, I just had a brake job done and started thinking if its the kind of TC that uses the brakes and speed sensors on each wheel, I need a new strategy as to not ruin my new brakes.
Thanks!

 

If tires are spinning engine computer limits the RPM, no braking or timing changes. My thought.

 

I guess if that works for you….. But I would never use that technique.

Sometimes it's necessary to spin the wheels. But I follow old fashioned advice - modified slightly for the advent of magical electronics (like I don't pump my brakes with ABS).

I drive in slick conditions like I have eggs under the pedals. Very smooth slow motions. Be patient and give yourself extra space for the unexpected.

It's worked for me - and I've made it to retirement age.

 

Dynamic Traction Control was an option in 2010. Dynamic Stability Control was standard.

From MINIUSA.COM:

DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL


Having been proven to help cut down on accidents - our standard Dynamic Stability Control can be a Motorer's best friend. First, the system uses sensors to measure the steering angle, yaw and lateral acceleration to determine the direction you want to go. Then, if your MINI starts to stray, the DSC system kicks in by applying corrective brake pressure to individual wheels and adjusting engine torque.

 

I get what you're saying, and what I said sounds pretty bad I know. But Im talking more about pulling out of a steep driveway, or a hill start in slippery conditions. I hold the throttle steady, trying to keep it around 2k, and let the traction control do the rest.

 

"...my way of winter driving (hasnt let me down yet) is keep my foot to the floor and let the TC sort it out..."

"I hold the throttle steady, trying to keep it around 2k, and let the traction control do the rest."

Sounds a bit less hard on the brakes, not to mention less socially pathological.

If you have the DTC option you might want to turn it on it is designed for winter driving. If the button to the right of the "SPORT" button says "DTC" press it and release it.

 

If you have snow tires on your MINI the traction control will hardly ever activate.

 

The system can use both engine power and the brakes. It tends to use power limiting for traction control and brakes for stability. If you have DTC, the "Traction" mode can be useful in adverse conditions. I've used DTC and floor it during an autocross, it worked quite well, but I could do better with the system off (EDLC mode). In EDLC mode it'll use the brakes to stop one wheel spinning.

 

I have the DTC and Sport buttons, but not anything else. My question specifically is without turning the DTC button off, in slippery conditions what is holding my car back from reving? Lets say its slippery, and I nail it, the rpms stay 100% constant if its slippery. It certainly doesnt feel like the brakes doing it, but id like to be sure. More curiosity than anything else I suppose haha

 

Your DSC is using the traction control nanny to cut back engine power.

 

Thats the answer I was looking for, thank you