Re: traction control vs quattro

[ScharfR@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-11-27 00:01:13 EST, reinerf@microsoft.com (Reiner Fink)
writes:

<< As far as my understandings go, traction control only matters at speeds
 _less than_ 20 to 25 mph. Traction control helps the vehicle accelerate
 by braking a slipping wheels via the ABS. What is refered to on newer
 quattro's as EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) is really what WMB
 owners would call traction control. >>


Your definition of traction control is too limited.  What you refer to is the
most primitive form of TC.  Most of the high-end systems also invoke throttle
control and/or engine management intervention (timing, injectors ..) to
reduce power to the driven wheels.  These systems perform at all speeds.  The
brake-only systems (or the brake component of multi-faceted systems) are
limited to lower speeds to avoid frying the brakes with heavy duty cycles at
higher speeds.

The important thing to consider is that traction control is a disabling
system.  It reduces power to a level sufficient to get underway with little
or no wheel spin.  This is called emasculation, and it's not the reason most
people buy high performance cars.  An all-wheel drive system is more of an
enabling system.  It is capable of redistributing power (maually or
automatically) to take advantage of the traction available at any wheel/all
wheels.  (Hello, my name is quattro and I'm an enabler).