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Better Mileage with TCS off?


backafter20

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No one else? I would have thought it to be a relevant topic what with the price of gas and us being forced to use only 91. I had never heard this before, but was hoping for some confirmation. Silly and unfounded, or duh, everyone knows that?

 

Well I gave it a very un-scientific test today on the highway and did not notice any difference with the TCS on or off.

 

Here’s what I did:

 

Set cruise control at 70. Reset the average MPG reading and ran for a few miles with TCS on and noted average MPG.

With cruise control still set at 70 I turned TCS off and reset the average MPG reading and ran for a few miles with TCS off. Did not see any significant difference in the average MPG.

 

This was on a fairly flat straight road so the two readings at the same speed should have been different if the TCS was doing anything to affect mileage.

 

Might get different results if it was on an non-flat or winding road or stop and go city driving but for a flat straight road at a constant speed I did not see any difference.

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The salesman that sold me the car that mpg didn't make a difference whether TCS was either on or off. However, the car is more fun to drive with TCS off!!

 

 

I wouldn't see how this could affect mpg as the tractional control system (in our cars) is ABS-based not powertrain-based. There are systems out there that are powertrain-based... For the shade tree engineers out there, when I say powertrain-based this isn't to be confused wih a full stability control system (which our cars don't have) where the system simply interrupts or limits fuel flow to the throttle when you're getting crazy in a corner in combination with 4 channel ABS-based tugs at the wheel to bring you back into line.

 

I really wish our Shelby's had a stability control system (yes, with an "off" button) vs just the TCS... I know that's a Ford (or rather a Mustang) limitation though. I would feel so much more confident tossing it into a corner every now and then. I just get worried about the back end coming around on me if I step on it too hard. I'm young (34), but not that young. Perhaps that's one of the built-in saving graces about the expense of this car. For the most part, those of old enough to afford one (while still young enough to enjoy them) are also wise enough to know the limits... and we wrote the check.

 

- Matt

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I have noticed a difference when doing city driving with my SGT, highway flat open road I have noticed very little differrence with mpg. It seems that with TCS off I have gotten 21 to 21.5 mpg with TCS on in the city I saw 19-20 on the mpg but I can drive fairly aggresive at times so I will sy that it can be attributed to my driving as well.

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I wouldn't see how this could affect mpg as the tractional control system (in our cars) is ABS-based not powertrain-based. There are systems out there that are powertrain-based... For the shade tree engineers out there, when I say powertrain-based this isn't to be confused wih a full stability control system (which our cars don't have) where the system simply interrupts or limits fuel flow to the throttle when you're getting crazy in a corner in combination with 4 channel ABS-based tugs at the wheel to bring you back into line.

 

I really wish our Shelby's had a stability control system (yes, with an "off" button) vs just the TCS... I know that's a Ford (or rather a Mustang) limitation though. I would feel so much more confident tossing it into a corner every now and then. I just get worried about the back end coming around on me if I step on it too hard. I'm young (34), but not that young. Perhaps that's one of the built-in saving graces about the expense of this car. For the most part, those of old enough to afford one (while still young enough to enjoy them) are also wise enough to know the limits... and we wrote the check.

 

- Matt

 

 

Does ours also cut engine power? Mine was flashing at some eeerrr "higher speeds" today and I either hit the limiter or the TCS cut power....anybody know?

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Does ours also cut engine power? Mine was flashing at some eeerrr "higher speeds" today and I either hit the limiter or the TCS cut power....anybody know?

The GT500 has a rev limiter (6250, I think), so if you lost traction at high rpms, you could concievably have both things happen. However, they are not connected to each other.

 

Having your TCS kick in while you're turning over 6 grand is probably a hint that you should be dialing it down a hair.

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The GT500 has a rev limiter (6250, I think), so if you lost traction at high rpms, you could concievably have both things happen. However, they are not connected to each other.

 

Having your TCS kick in while you're turning over 6 grand is probably a hint that you should be dialing it down a hair.

 

 

I still think that the TCS may dial down power as well, I noticed this during an autocross (or I was dreaming) and the aforementioned 2nd to 3rd shift on onramp, I do not believe I was over 6k, thats why I was asking. My rev limiter shuts off above 6250, or my tach is off I believe it to go as high as 6800. Seriously strange, my particuliar car rips absolutely. Gotta love it... :happy feet:

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I still think that the TCS may dial down power as well, I noticed this during an autocross (or I was dreaming) and the aforementioned 2nd to 3rd shift on onramp, I do not believe I was over 6k, thats why I was asking. My rev limiter shuts off above 6250, or my tach is off I believe it to go as high as 6800. Seriously strange, my particuliar car rips absolutely. Gotta love it... :happy feet:

 

 

I believe it kills the motor as well as using the brakes. The TCS is to keep people who don't know how to drive from getting them selves into trouble if you think you need it you probably do but best performance will be with it off.

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I believe it kills the motor as well as using the brakes. The TCS is to keep people who don't know how to drive from getting them selves into trouble if you think you need it you probably do but best performance will be with it off.

 

It works well in the rain that I can tell you. My wifes last car a 71 Chevelle I built, liked to slide in the rain even with 12 inch wide rims and BFG's with even a little tiny blip of throttle. Fun when you want it, pain when your just trying to get from a to b.

 

Our TCS kills enine power as well, tried it this morning. It's funny when it hits shifting at speed. My wifes VW has TCS as well it works as well as ours in the rain, our city is hilly like crazy, I mean real hilly. It works for that.

 

My SGT is a driver, in a city, its usually on.

 

Track its off.

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