Isn't this pretty serious for Manual drivers??? I burn out a couple times during wet roads. Like if i wanted to make a quick turn at a stop and wait for cars to drive by then turn and accelerate quickly (so I won't get rear end) but burn out a little.

If the tC had traction control wouldn't it be faster? since it can grip tighter on the road and burn out less.

After years of having the tC, with no traction control maybe there's a chance of hydroplaning? The car might skid side to side when you accelerate and take a turn???

Is buying better tires help reduce the burn out??? If so what the best ones out there??? Or any solutions?

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Not to take away from your point, but all you have to do is ease up on the clutch. . . don't let go so fast, and you'll be good to go.

But in general these "All-Season" tires they give to all Scion's are pretty crappy IMO. I'm used to running V-rated tires, which took quite a bit of effort to break loose, even on a rear drive V8. Good tires will definitely help.

In terms of the *best* launch, these aren't race cars, and TRAC was designed for drag strip launches. I'm not an expert on this, but I'm fairly confident that TRAC can reduce your launch times, as a tiny little wheelspin is optimal (I'm not 100% sure about that). TRAC may prevent you from doing a complete burnout, but it will also cut your power if you so demand it from the car. . . but then there is always the "off" button.

Anyway the main reason TRAC is there is to maintain grip in corners and low traction conditions, and such. The xB was given TRAC standard as they were originally concerned with rollover possibilities. . . something I wouldn't worry about in a tC.

 

traction control = slow = you won't burn out
getting better tires is the solution.

 

Traction control is not necessary if you can handle the car. In the wet, try a little less throttle to control those "burn outs". Drive to the conditions. If it is wet, allow more space before pulling out in traffic.

Also traction control would most definately not make the car faster, in fact it would be the opposite. It will cut back the throttle and apply the brakes when slippage was detected.

Hydroplaning has nothing to do with traction control. Hydroplaning happens when one or more tires is lifted from the road by a wedge of water that gets trapped in front of and under a tire as the vehicle drives through water. If the tire is no longer in control, nothing electronic is going to be able to save it.

As for better tires, read the reviews at tirerack.

 

right now i am planning to get yokohama es100's

what is your opinion on the Nitto neogen tires? ive asked this in other forums but no one had these installed before. so anyone had these tires before? good handling/traction? how are these compared to other tires?

 

traction control = bad news in the mountain curves

 

Traction control doesn't even exist on most manual FWD cars.

 

It does on my xB!

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If you had the Traction control on, slid through a turn, you would not have the ability to manually correct yourself . You'd be relying upon the car to do all the correcting.

This is BAD if you cross a yellow line into traffic.

I've seen this happen with "Traction Control"ed cars.

One tire slips, the 3 others try to compensate, great for straight and wet roads.

 

:?: I think you are thinking of a Vehicle Stabilty Control or VSC. I dont think just normal traction control would do anything other then limit power to the drive wheels. I could be wrong. :oops:

 

That sounds like VSC moreso than a variable throttle plate (typical) traction control system, or that even sounds like Volkswagen's 4Motion AWD system.

Plus, the tC is a FWD car. You would NOT start skidding side to side. Anyone who fears hydroplaning must be pretty dumb driving that fast over wet rainy roads switching lanes back and forth.

 

I have Traction Control on my 2002 Honda Accord V6 auto. It only comes on in the snow only during the time that the wheels feel like they will spin from losing traction. It has never come on in
wet weather and certainly not in dry weather. The system operates using ABS system. With the tC I could see that it would be helpful in snow conditions given the wet/snow performance of the stock tires.

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yea i get what you guys sayin. im planning to grab better tires... anyone know what are the best types now? less burn out.

 

i just put some pirelli pzero nero m&s on my tC.. once I got the balance correct, things are good.. tires are smooth, steering is much sharper and braking (traction) is improved to a noticeable amount. got the stock size 215/45-17.

i had tried some bridgestone potenza re950 before this.. tire was way to heavy, made a droning tire noise and didn't handle that well..

the pirelli's.. night and day difference.. ride is firm, but not harsh.. took about 200-300 miles to break in the tires.. then it has been fine..

might want to look into these.. i got them from the tire rack $116 a tire $30 to ship the set..

 

I got Nitto Neo Gens on my xB. They're great! I recomend them! I noticed a huge difference (for the better) when I put the tires on, but then again I got them for my 5ZIGEN FN01R-C's which are 16X7.

BTW: the tire size is205/50 VR16

 

Traction control would be great. So would rear wheel drive. Even better all wheel drive. Hell throw on a quatro system and a turbo. Remember that this car was only $16K. I think it is adequately equiped for the price. I have no complaints about the tires either. What other 16K car even comes with 17's?

 

Let's say you're at a stoplight on wet pavement. The light turns green and you press too firmly on the accelerator pedal. There is slick asphalt under your tires and the wheels begin to spin. The traction control system instantaneously kicks in, sensing that the wheels have begun to slip. Within a fraction of a second, this data is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts throttle input and applies braking force to slow the wheels (some older systems also retarded engine spark). The wheels are thus prevented from spinning and the car maintains maximum traction.

 

thanks for the info guys. im still making my decision. here are some tires that ive had put on my previous cars. kumho ecsta 711, pirelli P7000, bridgestone RE750, and yokohama avid touring(currently on my civic). i wont make my final decision until i get a set of 17" buddy club p1 forged wheels. so far i can only find the 17" cast wheels.

 

The problem described in the first post can be nullified by the driver developing better control and coordination of the clutch and gas pedal.

IMO, traction control is unnecessary for this vehicle.

The easiest way to make a significant improvement in traction is to get wider wheels and better tires.

 

...on the tire issue, my favorites so far are the Yokohama AVS ES100's. I especially recommend them if you live in metropolitan areas with lots of potholes.