94 Volvo 850. What does the TRAC light mean or do?

93volvo850 · Post by **93volvo850** » 26 Jan 2007, 19:00

What does the TRAC light mean or do when it is pressed?

Post by **luketrash** » 26 Jan 2007, 19:15

Traction control. When you take off, if your wheels start to spin, it applies the brakes to the spinning wheel.

So, in other words, it makes a hell of a ruckus and doesn't really do a whole lot. I suppose it overpowers an idiot behind the wheel who isn't smart enough to realize they're spinning on ice. I leave mine turned off. It sounded horrible when I forced it to kick in.

It also operates only at slow speeds, so it doesn't do anything if you're on the highway.

I know people love ABS and traction control, but I always prefer driving cars without ABS and the right tires

Post by **hausmeister** » 27 Jan 2007, 05:58

luketrash wrote: I know people love ABS and traction control, but I always prefer driving cars without ABS and the right tires

Funny that you say that. Why?
My previous car didn't have ABS (volvo 440) which I had for ~7 years. My current one has ABS, so I have experience with both. Although I never had any problems without (normal breaking or in snow), I realise that it is much saver with ABS as I don't have to worry about getting into sliding/spinning(especially on ice) that much.
If someone is careful its not really a problem in snow or ice, but I prefer to have ABS.

Post by **luketrash** » 27 Jan 2007, 08:43

I think it stems from the first car I had with ABS, which was a 1995 VW Jetta. It was really loud and the car took longer to come to a complete stop than my Volvo 240 which had no ABS.

ABS can lead to longer stopping times with the safety benefit of being able to steer instead of sliding in a straight line. If you are conscious of what's happening in a panic situation, you can make a car steer by letting off the brakes. Most average drivers probably don't know that, which is why ABS is so common now. I just prefer the simplicity of non ABS vehicles teamed with the right tires. (Also, as a longtime motorcycle rider, I just always expect the worst case scenerio, so I an more aware of what's going on ahead of me than most average drivers.)

Normally, ABS is totally invisible.. It only becomes apparent my cars have it during freezing rain or snow. With snow tires on the car, the ABS rarely engages. So I don't hate it. I would just rather have cars without it. Just like I don't buy cars with drum brakes. I like to be able to stop fast if I need to, and I want total control of what's going on.

I have a 1954 Ford sedan that has 4 wheel drum brakes. I've noticed that technically they work nearly as well as disk brakes, but you just have a lot less leeway on the pedal travel between the point where they are braking correctly and where the tires simply lock up and throw you into a skid. I just compensate for it by not tailgating people.

It's one of those things where I'd reccommend for my mother to buy a car with ABS, thinking of her safety, but personally I don't want it

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 27 Jan 2007, 08:50

I totally agree with you Luke. Before my current S70, I owned a Mazda Protege. I had the choice of ABS or not. I consciously chose one without. I consider myself a good driver that is fully aware of upcoming traffic, who's behind me, to the sides of me, etc. I felt then and still do that if ever in a emergency stop situation I have better reflexes than the car's ABS system and can hit the brakes, and even turn into another lane at the same time if need be. On occasion, to avoid and accident, it might even mean "gunning it" into another lane or median. ABS limits one's ability to do all of these maneuvers in a fraction of a second. My S70 has ABS (no TRACS) and I have had to adjust my driving to fit the car. In my personal opinion, if I could turn ABS off, I would. Also, I believe that for the average person, ABS is a good thing...especially this is true because it seems that most people (although a terrible thing) multi-task as they drive- eating lunch, talking on the cell phone, etc., and are not as aware and reflexive in their driving practices as they should be.

Post by **hausmeister** » 27 Jan 2007, 10:15

hmm.

Interesting points. So far I have not had a situation to really notice a difference.
Right now it's also snowing like hell - perfect for a little snow breaking tests. I don't know how the s70 handles in snow, yet

One thing I always do when the roads get slippery with snow or ice is to test break a few times (just a bit) to get a feeling of how slippery it is.

Post by **billofdurham** » 27 Jan 2007, 11:46

Another who agrees with Luke.

When I learned to drive there was no such thing as ABS on cars, although I believe it was fitted to aircraft. When I went on to become an advanced driver, after 8 weeks of intensive instruction, I was taught the benefits of cadence braking. This was carried out on a multi-surface skid pan using a car fitted with racing slicks, which were over-inflated, and the road surface was coated with oil and had a water spray going all the time. It soon taught us the perils of losing control and then we were taught to regain it. Cadence braking is simply pumping the brake pedal to stop the wheels locking up. ABS human style.

When I progressed to advanced driving instructor, after another 6 weeks of intensive instruction, we still taught cadence braking although ABS was appearing on cars. Ford donated one of their old test cars for use on the skid pan. This was fitted with ABS but their techs put a switch in the line so we could switch it off when we wanted. Most drivers could bring that car to a faster stop using cadence braking than when they used ABS. I have also found that the majority of drivers will take their foot off the brake pedal the first time ABS activates, and they are still wary if it happens again. These fancy devices are not the safety aids the manufacturers claim. I have dealt with accidents where drivers have reacted badly when they have activated.

More intensive driver training is needed to make drivers aware of their responsibilities and to keep them aware. They also need more training in the use of all the fancy bells and whistles fitted to modern cars. Mercedes have a concept car which is controlled by a 'Gameboy' type console. No steering wheel and no pedals. Heaven preserve us.

Finally, I agree with MIJ about multi-tasking. Personally I would shred their driving permit on the spot and never allow them behind the wheel again. Any motor vehicle is a lethal weapon.

Sorry for going on so much but this is one of my pet subjects and we have strayed way off the topic.

So - back to the topic which is Tracs. The one thing guaranteed if your Tracs activates is that you will take your foot off the accelerator. When the wheels start to bang and make other strange noises it is the first reaction. Like Luke, I never have mine switched on, but that is a personal preference.

Bill.

Post by **luketrash** » 27 Jan 2007, 12:29

Speaking of Tracs, it's pretty similar to the ABS system but is tied to the accellerator pedal instead of the brake pedal.

How many people do you know with front wheel drive cars that plow into curbs in the winter because they take a corner too fast and panic when they start sliding toward the curb and think gunning the gas pedal will solve the problem. Since they have spinning tires, the car continues in a straight light into the curb. With the Tracs system, the person would retain control of their steering ability to some degree.

It's a solution to a similar problem. My Volvo 960 doesn't have Tracs and I'm guessing it is because it's rear wheel driven??? In a rear wheel drive car, your steering wheels are different from your driving wheels, so you don't have the problem.

On my 94, the Tracs system seems to turn on and then take a couple seconds to turn off. It's really a nasty noise.. I assume mine is working 'right' too? It's louder than ABS and the pulsation is faster I think.

Post by **billofdurham** » 27 Jan 2007, 12:55

I don't know how my previous answer got on twice so I can only apologize and ask MIJ to remove the duplicate.

All you would get on a RWD would be a limited slip diff which, in my opinion, has limited use. (No pun intended)

I have tried my Tracs and found the same as to noise and speed of pulse so yours is probably OK.

With regard to the slide into the kerb it would depend on the speed of the vehicle as Tracs is best at speeds below 15mph and is disengaged automatically at 25mph. However, what would the driver's reaction be when that noise started?

Skid training would have prepared them for this eventuality. However, it is not compulsory in the UK, probably not in the US but is in the Scandinavian countries.

Bill.

mynoralvarez · Post by **mynoralvarez** » 07 May 2013, 14:23

My ABS works fine when required. But TRACS light will not work and the system neither. (Bulb is fine already checked)