ABS ?? WTF ??

[Katmandu]

I recently purchased a 98 EB 4x2 with 4.0 SOHC, 5sp Auto.

I know it's equipped with ABS (evident by the ABS motor and ABS dash board light).

I "assumed" that the ABS system automatically included a Traction Assist or Traction Control system (via the ABS unit.

While on a recent rode trip I was surprised to find out that the rear tires will break loose and spin on loose surfaces.

I should mention here that I also own a Ford Crown Victoria ex-Police Interceptor that is also equipped with the ABS/Traction Control circuitry. With this car, the Traction Control works as advertised. It effectively keeps the rear wheels from spinning on low traction surfaces.

Now my question is... Does my Explorer somehow NOT have Traction Assist/Control or is it possibly NOT functioning properly ??


Thanks!

-ERIC

 

[JDraper]

The Explorer does not have traction control. It only has ABS.


On edit, I should say it does not have traction control in the conventional sense where the vehicle modulates power or uses wheel braking to prevent wheelspin.

 

[Alto]

Control Trac ?

OK, then why does it say Control Trac on the back of my Explorer. That is what I thought that I had.

What is Control Trac?

 

[JDraper]

Controltrac was just one of Ford's name for the auto 4wd setup they used. It wasn't traction control in the conventional sense, it just routed power to the front wheels when it sensed slip to the rear wheels. However, in 2WD mode (for those who had 2WD and an "Auto" setting), you could still spin the rear wheels under acceleration on loose material.

 

[nytefog]

when i was looking at explorers back in 98 i took a 4.0 for a drive. They told me that if the rear starts to slip the fronts will engage automatically because of the control trac.

 

[Texan01]

Nope Explorers have old fashioned traction control. (IE. judcial application of right foot on accelerator)

Mine has the limited slip (posi, traction lok, etc.) so it's a bit of a challenge to spin the tires on pavement, but on any other loose surface it'll spin both.

 

[Robert]

Katmandu - Since your Explorer is a 2WD, the only form of traction control you will get is via your right foot. Just because a vehicle has ABS, does not mean it also has traction control. I had a '95 T-bird with ABS and traction assist. You could get ABS only on the T-bird or ABS/traction assist. In other words if you ordered traction assist, you had to take ABS since at the time the traction assist used the ABS to control the rear wheels. It was still possible to order it with ABS only and no traction assist. The Explorer does not have the option of traction assist since it does have the option of 4WD/AWD. Ford figures that if you need more traction, you will get the 4WD/AWD instead of the 2WD.

Alto - Control Trac is Ford's name of your 4WD system. You have 2WD, Auto 4WD, and 4WD low at your disposal. When you are in 2WD you can easily spin the rear tires in the rain or grave. Do it in Auto and shortly after getting your rear tires to spin, the torque will be diverted towards the front which will reduce the torque to the rear. This will stop the tires from spinning so in a sense it does provide a sort of traction assist. Ford bills it as an Automatic 4-wheel drive. In other words you are in 2WD until the rear tires slip then it automatically puts you into 4WD.

nytefog - If you have the 5.0L like your signature suggests, you do not have Control Trac. It was only available on the V6 models until 2002. You have All-Wheel-Drive. You have a constant torque split between your front and rear so you should never feel the rear tires slip. The torque by default is 35% front, 65% rear. The split will be adjusted around depending on which end needs it the most.