I've been experimenting with the traction control button on the n/a automatic for a few months now.

I have determined that I can get an average of 2 mpg better with the traction control off.
I've even gotten 2.8 mpg better and a lowest of 1.3 better. But these could all be variables of how I drove throughout the week.
I drive the same commute each week (usually) and fill up each Friday.
They are mostly highway miles with city traffic in the morning 3 days a week.
My experiment consisted of using traction control on one week and off the next and just compared mileage.
Its not the most precise measurement as I have no charts or proof, but try it and you'll probably get results.
You just have to remember to turn it off each time you start up the car.

I haven't really noticed much of a handling issue.

 

Sounds like I might try for my commute to work.

 

I was actually just thinking about this the other day because I used to turn off the traction control everytime on my last car because there was decent evidence it made a difference. Great minds, I guess

 

I'm a gonna try it too! Most times I turn it off anyway! :-)

 

I might try this...just filled up today, too...

 

What was your MPG with & without the TC engaged? 80-85% of my driving is highway.....probably wouldn't make much difference for me.....

 

I just want to chime in with my two cents....I'm having a hard time buying the claim (not yours but generally speaking) understanding traction control as I do. Engineers discovered years ago that they could take advantage of the ABS system already implemented on cars to provide something they now call "Traction Control" or "Stability Control" or whatever buzz word they choose. As I understand it, traction control simply sits in idle mode until one of the tires starts to spin, independantly of the others. The sensors that are already in place for the ABS now do double duty, sensing the tire now spinning. A signal is sent to the ECM which in turn sends a message to the ABS system to start applying the brakes to the same tire in question, hence the stopping of spin. To suggest that gas consumption is saved by turning this feature off just doesn't make sense to me. Maybe someone who better understands ABS / Traction Control systems could chime in with their thoughts...

 

The only way to know for sure is to try it, if it works then it makes sense to do it. I'm going to give it a try, if it doesn't work for me, then it would make no sense to continue driving with it off.

 

+1 ^^
Traction control and stability control are different in their purpose, spinning wheels versus intended car direction, both apply brakes however.
But how this would save gas is beyond my understanding, especially the amount of time it is used under normal driving.

A tank of gas is hardly sufficient to judge average mpg, it will show the mpg on that tank that's all.

 

Because Traction Control is never truly "off", I never drive with the button in the "on" position.

The only thing I could think of as far as how that may be possible is the fact that it is SOOO intrusive... Say you are hitting a freeway bend at the speed limit. The freeways here in CA have bumps, jumps, big cracks..... They are HORRIBLE. Who's to say that with it engaged that every bump it doesnt kick in????? Even a little..... What about the roads that dont get maintained that feel like your driving on washboards... All it would take is a little intruding on its part, spread over the course of a tank to make a difference... This is my theory, just throwin it out there.

 

I tend to agree with the idea that traction control would only interfere if tires would otherwise be spinning on the pavement. However it is worth noting that (as far as i'm aware) the traction control does NOT put on brakes to keep the tires from spinning, rather it cuts back the throttle to a level it deems safe. Putting on brakes when skid/understeer/oversteer is detected is a function of stability control or ABS, which is designed to keep the car from fishtailing out of control, not keep the tires from spinning. I could be wrong on any of this, it's just my $0.02.

In any case, this whole thread has sparked my curiousity enough to make me give it a try and report back with the results!

 

This is how I think it saves gas aswell. I have noticed with t/c on, the car almost "drives itself" with it off, the steering is more easily skewed by bumps or changes in pavement levels.
I live in southern california, and most of my commute is bumpy and the roads are neglected.

There is a reason why I have not made this post earlier, I waited months to see its consistency.
You people saying a tank of gas is not enough evidence to compare mpgs, and you are right, but over the course of months, I have noticed a general average of 2mpg better per tank. This is not a precise measurement, but give it a shot yourself and see what results you get.
My average with t/c is 22 and my average without it is 24
The highest I have ever gotten was 30.3 with t/c ON.
I have not tried another road trip with it off yet.

Just thought I'd let the forum know a possible penny saver

 

Let's not forget that when the traction control kicks in, it flashes the yellow light on the dash. Anybody seeing that on washboard roads?
Also, "over the course of months" the weather and gas formulation changes, so you'll get better mileage in the summer for that reason alone.

 

I do not get the flashing yellow of t/c on my roads.

"over the course of months" the weather is the same. I live in so cal... the lowest it gets in the winter is 60 degress.

And over the couse of months, my average mpg has been higher by two with t/c off. During ALL months since I have purchased the car. (October)

Nit pick it all you want, this is what I have noticed. I can't exactly explain it, but there is my data. Try it yourself... The worst that happens is you gain mpg.

 

you may get better gas mileage without it on but you will have less tire with it off

 

I can't speak for the Crossfire here, but I know for sure on some 'all wheel drive' vehicles, the brakes will apply to specific wheels to stop the spin during traction control activation.

I am also skeptic on the gas saving issue with TC off, but have nothing to back it up.

James

 

or slide off a road in a tight corner....

 

The way I drive, my T/C light is flashing frequently when I am accelerating ... out of a light, up an on ramp, whatever. I am surprised at the number of people who say they never see their's come on.

 

My light came on more when I had the worn out Michelins, they slid around like crazy. New tires and the bulb stays out most of the time.

 

Not that I'll be driving my XF on the winters salty roads here in Wisconsin but the formulation of gas is better in winter here not in summer.. ( winter hard starts, cold = better gas) I've noticed a big difference in getting much better gas mileage in winter.( with my other cars)