A lost Asset in Auto Transmissions

[SandburRanch]

What kind of car is it?

2013 Equinox

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Even "turNing off" the traction control doesn't shut it off, I have. 2012 ram 2500 with a manual t case and it will not let you flog the Truck unless your in 4 low.

The traction control is just about useless for all but the inept. I cant stand it making a decision for me. I buy good tires that are more than likely overkill, but sometimes you need to do some digging g before traction is available.

 

[k0ua]

The traction control in our 2013 Chrysler Town and Country minivan works OK. I can test it any time I like by going up our driveway's (gravel covered and very steep) final hill slowly or stopping on the hill and trying to restart. The traction control system will always engage and while there will be some wheel spin you will make it up the hill. Then in November I put on a set of Blizzak snow tires. Now I can stop on the gravel covered hill and start back moving without ever slipping a tire and the traction control no longer comes on.. The dry traction with these Blizzak snow tires is very noticeable over the stock Michelin tires that came on the car. I can't personally say how well they will work when we finally do get some snow, but I am hoping if the dry traction improvement is any indicator they should do well.

 

[buickanddeere]

I just feather the throttle to prevent spinning. Then again using proper winter tires instead of All Seasons greatly increases traction .

 

[buickanddeere]

+1 This is how all regular automatic transmissions operated. TH350, TH400, TF727, C4, C6, and virtually every other common automatic. The big change was the manual shifted electronically controlled automatics introduced in the past 10 years. Now you select D or M, and then select + or - to manually select a gear if you want to control anything.

The GM 4L60E has been around since the 1992 production year.23yrs.

 

[buickanddeere]

2013 Equinox

You didn't purchase a FWD NOX and then wonder why it spins? The wife's AWD Terrain with Michelin Ice X 2 tires will push snow with the front end while driving up hill.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've seen lots of funny sights at boat launching ramps, at least a couple of which resulted in the towing vehicle going into the water. But my first showroom new car was a 1962 Austin Healey Sprite (first year that wasn't a bug eyed model) and I had a local mechanic make and weld onto the frame a trailer hitch. I used to pull my Dad's 16' Texas Maid Fiesta boat with a 35 hp Evinrude outboard. I never had a problem at all, but when I got on a launching ramp to launch or retrieve the boat, I usually drew a crowd waiting to see if I could do it.

Had a similar Fiber-Flite 16' made at the same plant in texas... ours is a Sportsman model with 35 Evinrude.

I've towed it with everything from a Model A to my Mom's 1972 Toyota... still have the clamp on bumper hitch last used on a Ford Granada...

Every summer we would see vehicle end up in the lake at Tahoe... and usually there would be a sheen from the oil/gas. I'm guessing today that would warrant the Coast Guard as there is a Coast Guard station at Lake Tahoe.

Most of my towing has been with automatics... never with an Auto with traction control.

 

[SandburRanch]

You didn't purchase a FWD NOX and then wonder why it spins? The wife's AWD Terrain with Michelin Ice X 2 tires will push snow with the front end while driving up hill.

Not at all. The post was about how auto manufacturers are screwing the usefulness of transmissions up. I'm real happy your wife's car can push snow up hill.

 

[Oaktree]

Lots of vehicles, my pickup included, have Traction Control Systems that reduce power to the wheels if a slip is detected. It can be disabled if necessary. I wonder if this system works as well or better than starting in second gear?

TC is handy if you're already moving on a slippery road, haven't found it does much good getting going from a stop and is worse than useless off-road. This statement based on my experiences with the '07 Turdra I had for a company truck at my last job. Maybe it's different on newer/other vehicles.

If I had the money for a new car, I'd be getting a manual, so I haven't played with the new automatics - there may be one out there that does what you want.

Yeah, lotsa luck on that. Aside from entry-level econoboxes, not many vehicles can be gotten with a manual anymore. "Manual mode" on an automatic isn't the same thing.

 

[buickanddeere]

Not at all. The post was about how auto manufacturers are screwing the usefulness of transmissions up. I'm real happy your wife's car can push snow up hill.

Reading your first entry is about your vehicle spinning .

 

[SandburRanch]

Reading your first entry is about your vehicle spinning .

Read the title then twist it however you like. We knew what would happen when ask and I told what car we bought. I suppose that's just the nature of humans on forums and if I recall it has been established by the Admin. brand bashing isn't to be tolerated.

 

[timswi]

I'm kinda old school too...However, I have a 2013 GMC Sierra Denali and it has all of the computer fired crap that has been discussed...I will say that since it doesn't have any 4wd settings since it's AWD the traction control and the rest of the computer controlled stuff has worked to the point that I don't even realize it...I have 20" GY LS2 tires and have run through some pretty good snows and the truck performs flawlessly. ..

I live on an un maintained right of way and have an upside lot that is quite a few hundred feet up hill..No problems.

To reiterate, LS2's suck in anything but dry weather.

 

[MossRoad]

You didn't purchase a FWD NOX and then wonder why it spins? The wife's AWD Terrain with Michelin Ice X 2 tires will push snow with the front end while driving up hill.

Not at all. The post was about how auto manufacturers are screwing the usefulness of transmissions up. I'm real happy your wife's car can push snow up hill.

Reading your first entry is about your vehicle spinning .

Read the title then twist it however you like. We knew what would happen when ask and I told what car we bought. I suppose that's just the nature of humans on forums and if I recall it has been established by the Admin. brand bashing isn't to be tolerated.

All right fellas.... first off, its not brand bashing. No one said anything about the brand.
Second off, the 2013 Equinox IS front wheel drive. See the link below:
2013 Chevrolet Equinox LS 4dr SUV 2.4L 4-cyl. 6-speed Automatic Features and Specs

Third, the vehicle comes with two transmissions, depending on engine. They are both 6 speed autos:
Hydra-Matic 6T45 that came with the 4 cylinder.
Hydra-Matic 6T70 that came with the 6 cylinder.
The 6T70 is a joint Ford/GM transmission project. Yes, Chevy meets Ford. See the link below:
GM-Ford 6-speed automatic transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So, SandburRanch, which engine do you have in your front wheel drive Equinox, the 4 or the 6?

 

[MossRoad]

Now look at page 9-28 of the 2013 Equinox owner's manual as linked to below. It explains how the manual range select mode works.
http://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...hip/Manuals and Videos/02_pdf/2k13equinox.pdf

You can only select which range of gears are available, not which gear the vehicle will use. So, you can select to start in 1st by knocking it down to 1. However, if you knock it down to 2, it will still start in 1, and shift up to 2 automatically when you hit the speed/torque that the transmission senses.

Every GM car or truck I have ever owned with an automatic transmission works this way. None of them will actually start out in 2. However, my current 93 Suburban, if I put it in 2, it will start out in 2. I just figured there was something wrong with my transmission! hahaha.

 

[buickanddeere]

If your problems with your vehicle that you posted on this site is too personal ? Then just what exactly do you have in mind? Your 2WD vehicle without winter tires will tend to spin. Tis the laws of physics they are not personal.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Lots of vehicles, my pickup included, have Traction Control Systems that reduce power to the wheels if a slip is detected. It can be disabled if necessary. I wonder if this system works as well or better than starting in second gear?

You guys have no idea how good a well designed traction control system can be. The system on my Ford F150 rocks.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

A manual transmission nowadays is the best form of anti-theft control.

 

[jejeosborne]

If your problems with your vehicle that you posted on this site is too personal ? Then just what exactly do you have in mind? Your 2WD vehicle without winter tires will tend to spin. Tis the laws of physics they are not personal.

You guys have no idea how good a well designed traction control system can be. The system on my Ford F150 rocks.

I believe the point you are not understanding is that in the past, many automatic transmissions for 4wd and 2wd vehicles allowed you to start out in second gear. There is an advantage to this because in 1st gear, it is difficult to apply really low amounts of torque to the wheels with your accelerator pedal. It is very unforgiving. 2nd gear allows better low torque control. 4WD or 2WD doesn't matter. I have had 4WD vehicles stuck in snow that would spin all 4 tires but with careful low torque easing of the throttle was able to rock the vehicle out.

Traction control is of no value for this scenario because it doesn't kick in UNTIL wheel spin is detected. At that point, it is too late because even a minor or quick loss of traction microscopically melts the snow/ice and greatly reduces friction. Thus a very very GENTLE application of torque must be applied. Traction control is great for those who don't have a good feel for what is taking place or when loss of traction takes place while underway. I cannot make it up my unplowed hilly driveway with traction control on but can with it turned off. It reduces my torque too much to get a run up the hill and I have to powerslide around a turn in the process.

Give the man a break, who cares if he doesn't have a 4WD or snow tires. It doesn't matter if your stuck in the snow with 4WD or stuck in the snow with 2WD.