TPMS system and traction control

[666]

does the tpms system and traction control on cmax related?  i searched on the net and some toyota will not let you disable transaction control if the tpms is disable (i.e., winter tires with no tpms)

 

so without tpms sensors on my winter tires,

 

1) will my traction control works?

2) can it be turn on/off?

3) any other affects?

[drdiesel1]

The TPMS will only afffect your ability to detect a low tire. The TCS on the C-Max can not be turned off.  It's always on.

Edited October 30, 2013 by drdiesel1

[jdbob]

You can turn off the traction control (but it defaults to ON each time the car is started) using the "Settings" area of the left information display. From the manual:

 

"In certain situations (for example, stuck in snow or mud), turning the traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin with full engine power. Turn the traction control system off through the information display. See the Information Displays chapter."

[drdiesel1]

You can turn off the traction control (but it defaults to ON each time the car is started) using the "Settings" area of the left information display. From the manual:

 

"In certain situations (for example, stuck in snow or mud), turning the traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin with full engine power. Turn the traction control system off through the information display. See the Information Displays chapter."

Never found it, but I wansn't actually looking for it.  I'll need to check it out so I don't give out the wrong info. Thanks!

[fbov]

Traction control without an "OFF" button will leave you stranded. Doc, you were correct for some cars, but thankfully not ours. A buddy's son has a VW that can't be parked in his father's driveway in winter. It simply won't move up a snow-covered driveway... and we get snow daily.

 

In fairness, "traction control" of any sort is in its infancy. We're early adopters of a technology that has glaring inadequacies in certain situations.The need for an OFF button extends to all aspects of the technology, not just systems like TCS. Remember:

- optimized ABS does not always result in the shortest stopping distances (deep snow, gravel)

- modern traction control will immobilize the car on slippery surfaces

- the "roll/skid" controls like our RSC can only throw the car into oncoming traffic (brake hard and you go straight every time)

 

The day will come when snow plow operators will no longer have to choose among disabling their vehicles, watching them self-destruct, or unemployment.  We're still in the "gee whiz, cool" stage. Next will be the litigation phase, as soon as the technology kills someone, followed by advances that correct the defficiencies if the technnology survives.

 

The technology will evolve. Until then, the options are to disable ABS or stay home!

 

HAve fun,

Frank

[drdiesel1]

Yep!  I found it. You can turn it off, but it's default is on like you said. Thanks for the info. :hat_tip:

[jdbob]

I had some spare time today so I put my new snow tires on (no TPMS).

 

I'll try to remember to see if the option to turn off traction control is available when I come back home from downtown. However, it's been reported that the car doesn't complain about no TPMS unless you have driven quite a distance (somebody said 45 miles), so my test might not prove much.

[fbov]

I spent the money on sensors for my snows. I asked the dealer to initialize them before I put them on, and they were unsuccessful because you can only program 4 tires, those on the car. In the ensuing discussion, my SA asked why I spent the money? He also has snows on dedicated wheels and the only downside he sees is the MIL stays on. Nothing about traction control issues...

 

 

Have fun,

Frank

[jdbob]

Pulled off the road a couple miles from home and was able to disable the traction control. Again, since the car hadn't complained about the lack of TPMS I don't actually know what would happen on a longer trip.

[drdiesel1]

Pulled off the road a couple miles from home and was able to disable the traction control. Again, since the car hadn't complained about the lack of TPMS I don't actually know what would happen on a longer trip.

I doubt very much that the TPMS would have an affect on disabling the system. It's not integrated into the ABS/Traction control

systems. It's a standalone system.

Edited October 31, 2013 by drdiesel1

[jdbob]

I doubt very much that the TPMS would have an affect on disabling the system. It's not integrated into the ABS/Traction control

systems. It's a standalone system.

 

Just about every computer is connected via CAN bus to every other. The TPMS sensors are handled by the BCM, which will send messages to the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) if there is a fault. If Ford wanted to, it could easily have the ABS computer get those same messages and force traction control to stay on (which the Toyota apparently does).

 

According to the TPMS system operation document the TPMS "not there" fault will not occur until the car has been driven for 20 minutes over 20 MPH.

[drdiesel1]

Just about every computer is connected via CAN bus to every other. The TPMS sensors are handled by the BCM, which will send messages to the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) if there is a fault. If Ford wanted to, it could easily have the ABS computer get those same messages and force traction control to stay on (which the Toyota apparently does).

 

According to the TPMS system operation document the TPMS "not there" fault will not occur until the car has been driven for 20 minutes over 20 MPH.

Yes, they are on the same can buss, but the TPMS isn't tied into the ABS/Traction control functions. It won't disable the drivers ability

to control the TCS and disable it.

[jdbob]

I left town for the first time since installing the snow tires, which triggered the alert that TPMS wasn't working. It did not prevent me from turning off the traction control.

 

However, each time the car is started it will come up with a warning message on the left dashboard screen, you have to hit the OK button to get rid of it. And of course the idiot light flashes for a minute or so and then stays on solid, but that can be "fixed" with some black tape. It doesn't set a diagnostic trouble code, so can't get rid of the warning using the scangauge.

[jdbob]

I made a second trip last night and the TPMS warning light was still on and the message dialog came up as well.

 

However, today when I went out all of that was gone (YEAH!), so must be a timeout or something. I suspect it will stay off until if and when I leave town again.