Traction Control 2003 Marauder

[jgc61sr2002]

I went to the my local Mercury dealer today and the newest MM on the lot was manufactured in September, (no traction control). I am about to purchase a MM and would like traction control. Most of the rebates end the first week in January, 2003. I think the Ford Motor Co. is trying to deplete it's current stock of MM"s. I have a 2000 GM with the handling package and traction control in (Black) with just 7300 miles. I intended to keep this car for a long time but the MM sure changed my mind. Would like some feedback on what you think of traction control. Thanks John

[Mikeenh]

John,
I'm VERY happy my MM does not have traction control. I have a step driveway. In the winter with past GM's, I would never get out if it wasn't for the switch in the glovebox to turn it off. As soon as the wheels start to spin it first applies the brakes, then it shuts the engine down. There's times when you just need to spin the wheels to get out.

[Pantherman]

My car was built September 3 and has traction control. The calibration is not overly aggressive and allows a bit of wheel spin. The on/off switch has been moved to a much more convenient position above your left knee, next to the pedal adjustment switch.

[RCSignals]

I'm still not convinced that both traction control and limited slip are necessary. Some people swear by traction control though, but usually they have cars that do not have limited slip as well.
Remember the traction control Marauders still have limited slip.

The Ford literature on TC recommends it be turned off in ice and snow, so it's advantage is on wet, winding roads and in turns I guess.

Limited slip, obviously, is more of straight line traction

It just works the rear brakes in the event slippage is detected, as well as reduce torque of the engine.

[RF Overlord]

RCSignals:

Yeah, I wondered about that myself (TC and posi)...my T-bird offered posi only with the manual trans. The automatic got traction control only. Never liked it...much rather have the posi on a rear-wheel drive car, but since TC is just an extension of ABS, it costs little to add it on...but as mikeenh said, there are times when you just have to spin the wheels to get out...

buy your MM now, jgc61sr2002...unless you REALLY need TC, take advantage of the savings...

[MAD-3R]

And with the TC you get a mini spare, and with out it, you get a full size (front) spare.

[RancorKeeper]

The traction control on the Bullitt works great on wet roads. I can usually accelerate from a stop with about 3/4 throttle without spinning and I've felt it cut engine rpm twice on the twistys in a rainstorm. But I only use it in wet weather.

[O's Fan Rich]

The only time I miss TC (had it in my 99Vic)
is when I throw the car into a wet corner. I have to admit, I got lazy. I totaly agree with the snow driving problems with TC. I'd shut it of then too.

[cyled]

I have a MM built in May 02 and obvisously does not have TC. We have had some snow/ice in N. Indiana and it I really did not have any problems. The one trick is to start off in Second gear. With the limited slip it works great. The other trick, don't drive like an idiot on slippery roads. :-)

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by cyled
The other trick, don't drive like an idiot on slippery roads. :-)

Maybe someone should tell that to all the SUV drivers in my area...(members of this forum not included ;) )

You've still only got 4 little patches of rubber on the road. Just because you think it's a truck, doesn't mean you can drive it like one...

[Billatpro]

WOW I'm finally active so I can post, been waiting for weeks to get on (well ok it's only been 8 or 9 days) What a great site, the info is out standing and everyone seems to be "Real People" Got the MM 16days ago, got to drive it three times. been waiting 15 years for a car like this. TC? mine was built in late oct. NO TC! don't care, I love this car!, did I tell you guy's I love this car? I'll be 58 tomarrow and i feel like 28! damn I love this car.

[nomad]

So,Bill. How do you really feel about THE car?:rolleyes: Great car great site.Enjoy, and welcome!

[Billatpro]

Well to tell you the truth, "I'M FREAKIN WILD ABOUT THIS CAR" but I did'ent want to go over board on my first post. and how do you the list of mods and other cars owned under that black line, OH speaking of Black, did I tell you mine was BLACK. how cool is that? and thanks for the welcome!

[ron460]

"Under the black line" shows up whatever you put in the Signature box. You will find that under Preferences.

[Billatpro]

Thanks Ron, I'm gettin the hang of this.

[Pantherman]

Earlier I said my car was built 9/3 and had traction control. I pulled that date from aging memory and goofed. Actually it was built 10/2. In an earlier life I used a manual 5.OL Mustang for a 60 mile daily Michigan winter commute with Michelin TRX rubber. For those who don't remember TRX's, think ice skates, but with a cold coefficient of friction 10 times lower. My Marauder is certainly driveable on ice with TC switched off, but my knuckles get more color with the switch on. You can still break the rear end loose with the switch on, but the computer stops the fun before you can get seriously sideways. If you really have to travel hilly terrain over serious snow and ice, real snow tires are THE answer.

[gja]

OK,
We have had quite a nasty rain/sleet/snow in NY(Long Island) and I drove home from night-b4-xmas dinner and feastivities and had NO problems in totally stock trim even though there were several inches and was semi-frozen. You just need to observe some rules-of-reason when driving in the junk and more times than not you will be fine.
I was able to make near or speed limit the whole way home. There were the usual 'supermen' in their Semi-Upright-Vehicles making /-\sses of themselves as I drove by calmly and intent on the task at hand, driving. No Trac-control, no snow tires, just a good set of driving skills from the MANY years of driving in storms like, and worse than, this and a healthy hatred of the local emergency room ambiance.
When people learn to drive with some degree of proficiency and learn to manage their vehicles limits they will be better off. I was passing yukons, tahoes, rovers and all the others and all they had were dumbfounded looks on their faces that a RWD,4door sedan was running straight, hot and in complete control while they performed an elephantine version of swan lake over the roadways.

[Andrew10AE]

OK... Dumb newbie question here... I'm off tomorrow to buy my MM (as long as the deal is right... and I think it will be)... I thought they all came with the full sized spare, but I guess I was wrong... anyone have the dates? it looks like it all starts with "either TC or a full sized spare" depending on build date?

thanks!

[RCSignals]

actually the "donut" spare is still an 18" wheel. not exactly a "mini"

[Brian]

Cars produced after approximately October 10, 2002 have ABS/TC and mini-spare.

Cars produced before then had ABS-only (no TC) and a full size wheel with a front tire mounted.