So, I've had my 2011 Lariat for over a year now, and have only ever seen the TCS light come on once ... and that was in 1 or 2" of snow last year.

I was driving through a parking lot checking out the handling limits (it was midnight, nobody around, tried to learn my new truck in a somewhat safe manner). When I punched the gas going straight, no light, until I turned, and even then it came on AFTER I had released the throttle and the truck started coming back in line.

Flash forward to yesterday, with Hurricane Sandy bearing down on us. I was driving home on a road with some wet leaves, and a car was doing around 15mph in front of me. I gave 'er some gas to go around, the turbos kicked in, the trans downshifted a couple of gears, and the back end fishtailed out to the right. The truck then slung itself into oncoming traffic (luckily, nobody was coming the other way), and I released the throttle and the truck came back in line. I steered back into my lane, no harm no foul, but it was a pucker moment for sure!

So, that being said, what does it take to get the TCS light on (and thus the TCS engaged)?

More specs on my truck: 3.55 LSD, 4x4 (was in 2HI at the time), Scab, 6.5' bed, EcoBoost.

Thanks,

-John

 

I'm thinking there's a threshold of lost traction that must be crossed before the TCS engages. However, I'm not sure what the threshold would be nor do I know how the PCM arrives at this threshold. Just going by what my service guy at a local dealership told me.

Having said that, I've had mine blinkin' at me a couple of times.

 

Mine is super sensitive...It is a habit for me to turn off TCS and Advanced Trac when I get in my truck anymore....Much more fun

If only I could bypass the torque limiter in first gear....

 

Shoot - I'd love to know what the threshold is as well!

In a heartbeat, the back end of my truck was almost 45 degrees out! Only because I've had lots of non TCS-equipped vehicles did I know what to do to correct it and regain control.

-John

 

Snow and trying to get the back end to step out on empty streets will do it everytime it doesnt even step out far enough I need to countersteer before it kicks in normally. I will admit when Im trying to get the back end to step out Im normally aiming for 25-60 degrees out but... (gives me a rough idea of how slick the roads really are by how easy it is to get sideways) Its gotten to the point that whenever I get in the F150 with light dustings of snow (under 6") I turn off the traction control at least temporarly. Under normal driving conditions (aka not snow or ice) I think the system just has a delay time on the snow and ice you can get enough wheel spin quick enough for it to kick in quickly (never been sliding around a corner I didnt nail the throttle on first so cant say there) I think what activates it normally is G-forces and what the abs sensors indicate for wheel speed in comparison to each other

 

My 5.0 Screw takes a little abusin to get that light to come. I've seen the light come on only a few times. Usually, if it's wet out I can spin the crap out the rears. When that happens it'll spin hard and then it seems once I get to a certain speed the TCS kicks in and robs power big time.

I have also had instances in which I'll hit it from the light it spin for about 10 feet with no TCS light. After that all off sudden the rears light up. Weird traction control setup.

I will say that if I try and swing the truck out purposely, TCS will set things straight real quick.

Seems to be real lenient in a straight line and strict as hell when trying to fishtail.