Last saturday I was getting on the freeway and going about 30 on a slight turn. The traction control started to go off and caused me to almost head straight into a guard rail. After about 5 - 10 seconds the car re-gained control. This same thing has happened before while I was getting on the freeway and I ended up scraping the curb. The car is in the shop now.... no damage this time though, but they wont tell me what is wrong and why I can't have my car back. They are waiting for "parts" but they don't know which ones. I'm pretty scared to drive the car now. Has anyone had anything weird happen that they thought they "caused"? The first time I thought it was me but now i'm sure that it's not.

 

Clearly, I'm not at all shy about showing my ignorance of things technical, but as I understand the traction control, if you were in a gentle curve at 30 mph, IF the traction control had turned itself off, you should not have even noticed.

My Nissan pickup with NO frills and no traction control can hold a decreasing radius exit ramp at 50 with little drama...the Crossfire is not stressed at all at 30 mph on a gentle sweeper.

 

With any car you can have a bad sensor. In normal operation, I am not sure how this could happen. Obviously something is wrong with yours. I've driven 4 different Crossfires, normally, and to the limit. With and without traction control.

I think the traction control (when operating properly) is very good. It really slaps your hand when you try to do something stupid (wide open throttle with a turned wheel) It will totally knock down your throttle percentage. If you did the same action with partial throttle, it will limit the throttle gradually instead of instantly.

Of course you turn it off and it does whatever you like =) However the tires might not agree.

It is a good thing they did not give you the car back. You really don't need to be driving a car that doesn't operate properly on a public road. Let them fix it and make it right. I'm sure it is something simple =)

Good luck

 

I still have no car.... i'm getting tired of the sebring they gave me...

they're still not telling me what's wrong. they said there were a couple tsbs. i thought there was only one for the radio.

they're waiting for parts but they wont tell me what.

 

robby�c You need to go back and kick some verbal butt. A reputable dealer will fully inform you. If nothing else, ask for the TSB's Don't be a jerk about it, but be firm. If they aren't forthcoming, start climbing the management/corporate ladder. Don't leave until you get answers. Remember, it's your $35k.

 

I got my car back today and they only fixed a tsb with the wind noise issue they say. I also had a water leak in the ceiling and supposedly they fixed that too. they are now telling me that they cannot reproduce the traction control issue, so there is nothing they can fix. they don't seem to concerned, even though i've lost control twice on two small turns. any one have ideas? different dealer maybe? could i have a lemon?

 

I would do my best to try and duplicate the problem. When you have it down, take it in and have a tech go for a ride with you. It is hard to diag. an issue that throws no codes or can not be repeated.

 

Robby, by "started to go off," do you mean it retarded the throttle, reducing power or do you mean that it did NOT engage as if it was off? I've had the traction control intervene when accelerating out of corners that were wet with little drama. Typically the engine has only "cut out" for a second or two. I'm curious what the dealer will find.

 

I just leave mine off all the time ---or is it on? Anyway the light on the dash with the squiggly tire tracks is off :wink: Not much snow here in Florida to deal with. Haven't had any problems.

 

Now let me get this right if the light is off the traction is on but when the car loses traction the light flickers on and off until it gains traction and goes back off. Before having the car I thought the light on was to tell you the traction control is on.

Also does having the Automatic in Winter mode make the car go slower. I do know it starts the car in 2nd gear.

 

The instruction book is poorly written in this regard and actually contradicts itself. My intrepertation is that if the dash light (squiggly tires light as opposed to the BAS/ESP light) is on, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is off, which means (I guess) that you may potentially damage the transmission if you over spin a wheel. However ESP braking plays a part in preventing a loss of control, and it seems that if the ESP control is off than you don't have traction control to help in a spin or loss of control, a very desireable feature.

 

MARK_UK

It starts in 2nd and will change up at a lower rpm,it will still kickdown when you need to as your not meant to flick the switch while in gear.

Traction control light will be on constantly when you switch it off,or on,when on, when it is doing its job.

 

The Crossfire is equipped with Emergency Brake Assist, 4 Wheel Anti-lock Brakes, All-Speed Traction Control, Electronic Throttle Control, and Electronic Stabilty Program. These systems build upon each other sequentially to give the driver enhanced dynamic control in low grip situations (and over the limit high grip ones too!)

ESP and ARS (traction control) are two independent systems which sometimes interact given the situation. The traction control will sense wheel slip on either rear wheel and will retard the throttle (electronically) until the tires regain traction. With ESP switched on, the yellow light will blink during the activation of the system. When the "ESP Off" switch is engaged, the yellow light is constantly on and traction control will be switched off up to around 40 mph. It will then reactivate to prevent overspeed spinning of the driveline. This slipping is required if snow chains are used, since some wheel spin is required for traction with chains.

With ESP, the vehicle is sensing the difference between the desired path of driving (through a steering wheel sensor) and the actual vehicle direction (measured through an acceleration sensor in the center of the car). If the system sees that the vehicle is not following the driver's steering correction, it will activate either the front or rear brake to correct the condition (either understeer (plow) or oversteer (spin)). If the event is too strong, it will also retard the throttle up to completely closing it. Again, the yellow light will flash. With ESP switched off, no correction will occur. The driver is on his or her own. The yellow light will be constantly on. The system will only reactivate under braking, since this is a panic situation and will hopefully save you if you get in over your head.

In addition to all of these electronic aids, Emergency Brake Assist senses a very fast application of the brake pedal (such as in an emergency stop). The system will fully activate all of the wheel brakes to full pressure. This will decrease the stopping distance in order to avoid an accident (hopefully).

As you can see, the Crossfire has many high tech driving aids which really enhance vehicle safety and enable the driver to avoid an accident. It also maintians the choice to be able to switch all of these aids off, if desired. It's the best of both worlds!

 

No question on if mine it's on or off, I get the squiggly light on loads of times!!!! its great fun!. I have switched it off a couple of times and boy can you get some sweet power slides. Its very very controlled and reacts exactly as it should.

 

I found that out when I ran mine through an autocross course a couple of months ago. It handles very well under power with the Traction/Stability control turned off. I think that's where some people think the car is down in power. If they will turn it off and really push the car I'm pretty sure they will be pleased with the power and especially the handling.

 

Oliver1 DC should have commissioned you to write the BAS/ESP/ARS portion of the handbook. A very understandable and well written piece. Porsche and BMW and probably others have similar systems that apply braking to a particular wheel to help prevent loss of control, so the Crossfire is in good company.

 

Thanx for the explanation, Oliver. Your writing should be transcribed directly into the owner's manual.