Thread: Traction Control versus Cruise Control Question:

Originally Posted by Bohica

In a Discovery is there any inter-relationship between traction control and cruise control? Can a traction control event cancel cruise control? I've never noticed this happen and I realize that the two functions are managed by separate ECUs but is there communication between these ECUs?
Does traction control work in high range? I know that cruise control work at 40 kph or more. Possibly faster than traction control is suitable for. I'd check the user manual but some one has taken my car.
Anybody know for sure?

It is possible - particularly if the suspension is in poor tune, shock absorbers weak, etc - to completely lose control by activating cruise-control during heavy rain. A friend wrote off his car (Ford Falcon) in that way and in addition, the investigating police hit him with a significant fine for 'failure to control' (ie, activating cruise).

My Freelander2 has from time to time cancelled cruise when hitting a heavy puddle - but basically the handling, electronics and good tyres means 'no problem'. It might also mean, I should not have been on 'cruise'!

As a 'rule of fumble' - probably best to assume you'll gain a precious half-second or so if you're in the wet - and not on cruise, compared to 'cruise on'. And for losing control, half-a-second equals a week-and-a-half.

It's very interesting to read everyone's opinion regarding Bohica's question.
Once again, sierrafery is the voice of reason, and has provided references.
Anyone with experience on a race track will attest that there are plenty of situations where traction control is very useful at speed - even very high speed. If you are used to tc locking a wheel as soon as it kicks in, you may not have experienced what happens at higher speeds, where traction is not necessarily completely lost and braking does not necessarily result in a lock-up, but a rather more progressive adjustment.