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TCS off for rain/ice?

xk42

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Been raining quite a bit in SoCal so I've started to get some wheel slip even crusing at 65mph while going straight. Every time I see the traction light comes up, the truck cuts power. I used to drive a stick for over 10 years so I know how to handle my car, in my older cars I didn't even have TCS so when the Maverick attempt to regain traction, it just felt really off like the throttle was cut and you lose control over the car. A few times I got stuck in the parking lot due to the ground freezing overnight. I couldn't even apply the throttle or even when I put it in slippery mode. It would just cut power immediately when it detects wheel freespin. I feel like perhaps it's better to turn off TCS if I know what I'm doing?
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r0tax

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I found Snow/ice mode to be worthless as well (on my '25 Lobo).
If you don't have traction, it literally won't move. just instantly cuts power, won't even try to spin. I think its only useful if you're already moving.... Useful as in, stopping wheel spin.. which isn't always useful in snow.

In my case, Lobo Mode, Manual Mode, and Traction control OFF (And maybe even turn off Advance Trac by HOLDing the TC button for 5 seconds.) works the best.

Lobo mode and TC off gives me the best results when traction is limited, from a full stop.

Even then, with everything OFF and in the most aggressive mode, it will still power cut. It really doesn't want to let you have any fun, or slide around. You really have to try to initiate over steer and a slide.
Really just want all the nanny features turned OFF, and let ME manage the throttle application.

I'm also disapointed in the electric E-brake on snow, not being able to yank the E-brake lever to get the rear to rotate is borderline a safety concern. I tried to pull the e-switch, and it doesn't even seem to engage at all while moving.
Do people just stay home when its snowy/icy? Too scary?
Why would I want to slide face first into a snow bank and off the road and get stuck, when instead I could rip the e-brake lever and initiate oversteer, then power out with AWD?
Do people not know how to use an e-lever in snow?
Is it really better to just lock up tires and slide into obstacles instead?

If you have a "Mud" mode, maybe that would be more useful and allow for wheel spin? (I don't have that mode available.)
 

Ryom

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Been raining quite a bit in SoCal so I've started to get some wheel slip even crusing at 65mph while going straight.
Time for better tires, maybe give the Michelin Crossclimate 2 a shot? Sounds like you get freezing temps and wet, so the leading all-weather tire should be great for you.

Ford Maverick TCS off for rain/ice? 20260102_092220
 
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xk42

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Time for better tires, maybe give the Michelin Crossclimate 2 a shot? Sounds like you get freezing temps and wet, so the leading all-weather tire should be great for you.

20260102_092220.webp
Yeah I heard cc2 is great. I'll most likely go with the defender as I had them in my last suv and it was great. I don't live in snow or wet area but Im outdoor person so I'm out in the mountains when it snow and rain.

Just trying to maximize the tires as I don't want t to waste them when they still have plenty of life. Only done 13k and I drive sensibly.
 

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Master Blaster

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Been raining quite a bit in SoCal so I've started to get some wheel slip even crusing at 65mph while going straight. Every time I see the traction light comes up, the truck cuts power. I used to drive a stick for over 10 years so I know how to handle my car, in my older cars I didn't even have TCS so when the Maverick attempt to regain traction, it just felt really off like the throttle was cut and you lose control over the car. A few times I got stuck in the parking lot due to the ground freezing overnight. I couldn't even apply the throttle or even when I put it in slippery mode. It would just cut power immediately when it detects wheel freespin. I feel like perhaps it's better to turn off TCS if I know what I'm doing?
 

Master Blaster

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TCS should be on as much as possible. It should only be turned off in situations where the only way to keep moving is to be spinning one wheel, such as being very well stuck. Such situations are so rare that it is unclear why they even have a button to disable TCS.
 

Mudduck

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Time for better tires, maybe give the Michelin Crossclimate 2 a shot? Sounds like you get freezing temps and wet, so the leading all-weather tire should be great for you.

20260102_092220.webp
X's 2. These tires are excellent in wet/slick/snow. Best all year/ all-weather tires i have ever owned.
 

Ryom

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Blu

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Time for better tires, maybe give the Michelin Crossclimate 2 a shot? Sounds like you get freezing temps and wet, so the leading all-weather tire should be great for you.

20260102_092220.webp
How is the mpg hit on the hybrid?
 
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Ryom

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I'm not sure, we've been in a cold snap here with the temperature well below freezing and I haven't filled the tank since I had them put on. But the trip computer is suggesting that the mileage I'm getting is pretty close to the Goodyear Territory HTs that came with it so far. The real test will be seeing if I can get a 50mpg trip to work with them in the summer, which is my record for the Goodyears 😁

That said, if you're looking for high MPG tires, there are definitely EV-focused tires out there that really spec for low rolling resistance. I'm OK with sacrificing a few MPGs for what the CC2s bring to the table however. I'd prefer the extra braking performance over getting another one or two MPG and sliding into something.

On WhatTyre, the Goodyear Territory HTs all have an 'A' rating for efficiency, while the Michelin CC2s are mostly 'B' rated but vary from 'A' to 'D'. So I'd expect to take a hit from stock.

Here's what I could find regarding the CC2 and EVs with some light searching:
 
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Cherokee

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The only time I felt any advantage of the TC was never.
Rain, light snow, hills/grades, gravel, nothing. No observable difference.

One time on a fairly steep climb in wet mud only a few inches deep I turned it off and I think I was barely able to feel a slight difference.

But that could be me not pushing it while near the limit of traction I don’t know.

On this very slick up hill left sweeping turn I passed a Toyota 4Runner. A 2 door Jeep and a Dodge Ram 4x4 all stuck from sliding off the road. The Toyota had a tree stop it.

In Slippery mode With TC on I had a bit of slide. When I turned off TC I had a bit more forward movement.

I was in slippery mode, In Low and doing about 6 mph. The guy standing there next to his Dodge was not happy watching me drive past him and his girl friends Jeep.

All three were on who knows what chunky AT’s. I didn’t look at the brands.

I was on the factory Michelin Primacy’s.

Go figure.

Why did I go up and not those other three more capable vehicles?

I think it was mostly because I maintained a steady speed.
The Dodge got farther than the other two. Very odd.
 
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Pointyears

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The only time I felt any advantage of the TC was never.
Rain, light snow, hills/grades, gravel, nothing. No observable difference.

One time on a fairly steep climb in wet mud only a few inches deep I turned it off and I think I was barely able to feel a slight difference.

But that could be me not pushing it while near the limit of traction I don’t know.

On this very slick up hill left sweeping turn I passed a Toyota 4Runner. A 2 door Jeep and a Dodge Ram 4x4 all stuck from sliding off the road. The Toyota had a tree stop it.

In Slippery mode With TC on I had a bit of slide. When I turned off TC I had a bit more forward movement.

I was in slippery mode, In Low and doing about 6 mph. The guy standing there next to his Dodge was not happy watching me drive past him and his girl friends Jeep.

All three were on who knows what chunky AT’s. I didn’t look bc at the brands.

I was on the factory Michelin Primacy’s.

Go figure.
I saw on YouTube an off-road traction test and the winning combination was tc off and slippery mode on.
 

icegradner

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Another vote for leaving TC alone. Rain, ice causing problems, tires are the number one reason. Stock tires are typically trash on anything other than dry pavement and light rain (Unless they are AT tires). Reason? Stock tires are not the same quality as the retail version. They typically have less tread depth (more prone hydroplaning), and may even be a different/inferior compound.
 

Snowbird

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TCS should be on as much as possible. It should only be turned off in situations where the only way to keep moving is to be spinning one wheel, such as being very well stuck. Such situations are so rare that it is unclear why they even have a button to disable TCS.
I have never used TCS. Not sure why you would give this advice.
Best way to get stuck going up hill's and steep driveways is not having TCS turned off.
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