The Traction Control System on my Superb (MkII, 170 HP, DSG, Diesel, 2WD) does not seem to function when the car is stationary or at very low speeds and with light throttle inputs. When the car is struggling for grip I end up with one wheel spinning. If I apply a bit of throttle, the TCS light flashes but I don't feel any improvement. I think this is because it needs noticeable throttle to activate the TCS and that overwhelms grip when it is slippery.

After getting stuck in a muddy car park recently I even took a look at the manual. It states that TCS helps when moving off which has not been noticeable. It also suggests turning it off when trying to get free by "rocking" the car back and forth: I can't see why.

Secondly I suspect the car has an interlock which does not allow the application of throttle when the brake pedal is pressed. A couple of times, when trying to get moving, I have tried the old trick of light throttle - wheel starts to spin - with a soft touch on the brakes but that cuts the engine power.

 

It would be interesting to hear others' experiences, comments and advice. Thanks.

 

 

 

Have a look at " 4x4 and wheelspin? " in Superb Mk III, page 6 ?

There may be some clues.

Best see a Traction Control thread for FWD VW Group vehicles. There are plenty.

The manual advice on TC / ASR off is perfect because nipping brakes and engine power cuts are the last thing you want.

 

Then the right trousers, or is that tyres are always a good idea then you look less stupid out slip sliding in public.

PunyXpress; thanks, that was interesting as background but is mainly about 4WD issues.

 

AwaoffSki; naturally I started this on here but other VAG threads will be my next step.

I agree that the TCS cutting power may not be helpful but, since it knows the car is stationary, I would have expected it to apply a touch of brake to the spinning wheel which would tend to put some power to the other wheel via the differential. That's something I have done with some success, admittedly on older cars. The manual does say TCS will help when moving off but I now suspect it may be better to turn the TCS off and try to manage things on throttle and brake. It is something to play with next time I am on slippery going.

 

Quite agree about using the right tyres: I am on winters. My recent experiences were on very tricky roads in the Alps and an event car park where the ground was so soft the car had sunk almost to the rims when I got back to it - luckily the organisers had arranged a team of tractors!

The traction control system is programmed to allow a little slip before it cuts in. There is a brake/accelerator interlock on these cars: since they use a drive-by-wire accelerator, the interlock allows you to cut power in the event of a failure on the accelerator pedal position sensor.

 

The rocking advice mentioned is where you quickly switch between forward and reverse gears to rock the car backwards and forwards. It can help get the car out of a hole if the spinning wheels have started to dig down.

 

There's probably some value in having a scan carried out with VCDS to check that everything is working as it should be and that nothing has been disabled or turned down (there are a bunch of adjustments that can be made through diagnostics).

I tend to switch it off when driving in wet snow. Or mud. Or any other conditions where wheel spin is expected.

Specially wet snow in the mornings when the roads are not maintained yet. Overtaking could turn to horror in cube, when side by side with lorry and ECU finds that your wheels are spinning a bit and decides to cut off all the power.

It goes specially for 2 wheel drive, 4x4 slips only when the conditions are over the edge.

I notice the same on our car (same year, spec as yours I think). Its just not as clever as we'd like to think.....or is it, as above, smarter than us but can't fix physics ;o)