Is pressing the button just to the upper left of the shift lever all that is required to discontinue the traction controls and enable one to "have fun" with this awesome car? And yes, when I say having fun, I am referring to significantly shortening the lifespan of the tires!!

Tim

 

Yep hold it for 10 secs until it completely shuts off

 

yeah 2 levels first will give better snow traction but still keep most of the nanny functions second is completely off. You really need the second to have fun as the car is designed to understeer, but the nanny is designed to correct mostly oversteer. The combo is not good as the nanny will keep you from proper rotation when you start to get too much push which gets an otherwise nicely balanced car alll squirrley. Kill the nanny completly and have fun any yes get ready to buy some new tyres.

 

It's worh it though. Lololol

 

Thanks! I didn't realize that it had two stages. I had just pressed and released to get to the first stage and found that the car still wanted to correct for wheel spin and wouldn't let it break loose. Good to know about the first stage helping in the snow. I would prefer to NOT drive in snow, but it could happen around here and I do drive my car every day - it's either that or get up early to take my 15 year old to school before work and drive "his" car. He's driving my 2001 XJ to school. Wonder if he realizes how cool that is at age 15?!

Thanks again!

Tim

 

Whoa. Well, whether *he* realizes it or not, I sure do. I would've felt like the coolest kid ever if I'd gotten to drive a car like that to school. (Of course my green 1978 Olds Cutlass was mighty fine...LOL)

Have fun driving!

 

Be careful with the nanny off the rear tends to come around really fast. Once you get use to it's great fun. If you get a chance find an autocross in your area and get use to it in a safe area our shinny 20" rims don't like curbs. I've been able to keep up with most of the porsches and vettes that I race with and have beaten most of the BMW's.

 

Can one of you explain the traction control stages a bit more thoroughly, and how to engage/disengage each. I'm also a daily driver (near Denver) and expect to have to drive it in snow and ice (VERY carefully w/ 19" chrome wheels on it). I read in the manual that disengaging is preferred for driving in snow, but never saw the 10 second reference.

Thanks!

 

Pressing the trac button for less than 10 sec will engage the TRAC DSC function which partially deactivates the dsc/traction control system this allows for some limited wheel spin to help gain some traction. Holding it down for more than 10sec will deactivate the system Trac off will appear on the display and the system will be switched off.
If you really want traction in the snow get a set of 18" snow tyres and you'll be amazed at how good the car handles in the cold and snow.

 

It might be my imagination but with the stick in "S" on my 07 I think the trac/DSC behaves differently than in "D". In "D" it'll cut power if the rears really loose grip taking off around a corner and practically stop the car.

I'm glad the traction control is harder to turn off completely than the old XK8's. There's a new law here in New Zealand which means a "sustained loss of traction" will get your car impounded, 3 months in jail (or a $4500 fine) and 6 months without your license if you're spotted by the cops.