4WD delay

[Pexter]

Hello,
This winter was the first time I could really test the 4WD system on my 2009 SRT8. To my surprise the traction control kicked in before the transfer case reacted. Is that an expected behavior? Since the traction control limits the engine power, I'm only able to accellerate like a normal RWD car, really annoying.

Also, with ESD disabled, it takes almost a second before the FWD kicks in. That is a huge delay when driving under slippery conditions, especially in higher speeds.

Is there some way to adjust the setting for the transfer case and traction control? I've had several other 4WD cars but none of them have been like this. My transfer case was completely renovated last spring, so I called and asked the Jeep mechanic but he said that it was normal and that there is nothing to adjust, its all mechanical. I also e-mailed Chrysler and asked, and they said that there could be a "slight" delay.

How are your cars?

Thanks for a great forum!
/Peter

[ekaz]

There isn't an adjustment for it. Don't drive with the ESP disabled unless you're stuck in the snow. Driving with it off constantly isn't the greatest for the tcase. As for how the system reacts, it is rear-biased until it senses slip, then it transfers power to the front wheels. I've never had an issue in the snow with my Jeep. Do you have winter tires on your Jeep? The GY all-seasons suck traction wise.

[Pexter]

I have really good studded winter tires.
If I don't have ESP shut off, my car acts like an RWD car all the time since the traction system acts faster than the transfer case, so traction is limited on the rear wheels before it's given a chance to drive on all wheels. This also causes the car to behave like a RWD car.

If the ESP senses a slip, it should immediate activate switch to 50/50, but instead, in my case, it limits engine power. The car wouldn't slip if it was 4WD before ESP kicked in.

I guess I need to speed up the transfer case or slow down my traction control in order to fix this.. :/

[StangSlayerMA]

Originally Posted by Pexter

Hello,
This winter was the first time I could really test the 4WD system on my 2009 SRT8. To my surprise the traction control kicked in before the transfer case reacted. Is that an expected behavior? Since the traction control limits the engine power, I'm only able to accellerate like a normal RWD car, really annoying.

Also, with ESD disabled, it takes almost a second before the FWD kicks in. That is a huge delay when driving under slippery conditions, especially in higher speeds.

Is there some way to adjust the setting for the transfer case and traction control? I've had several other 4WD cars but none of them have been like this. My transfer case was completely renovated last spring, so I called and asked the Jeep mechanic but he said that it was normal and that there is nothing to adjust, its all mechanical. I also e-mailed Chrysler and asked, and they said that there could be a "slight" delay.

How are your cars?

Thanks for a great forum!
/Peter

The SRT8 is AWD, not 4WD....there is a big difference.

Like Ekaz said, this is a RWD biased AWD system. The transfer case delivers 90% power to the rear axle, and 10% power to the front until wheel spin is detected. Then it can send up to 40% of the power to the front, but we also have open differentials.......power only goes to one wheel per axle. This type of AWD drive system is designed for maximum traction from a dead stop on dry pavement, not slosh through the snow.......but with good snow tires, and a little practice using the throttle to manipulate the AWD system to send power to the front, it should be manageable. You can't drive it like a 4WD SUV in the snow, you have to treat it like a RWD vehicle. The AWD system wont send more power to the front unless you are spinning the rear tires. You have to use the throttle to steer the truck, and drift it around corners. It doesn't drift smoothly, its kind of a herky-jerky fight for power between the front and rear axles. The truck wiggles left and right as the AWD system figures out which wheel to send power to.

[Poutine]

If you get a custom tune it works better. Less interference with the ESP.
I leave my tune all year round. Lets me slide alot more before it kicks in.

[Ezituper]

We haves just received snow for the first time since I fitted my wavetrac rear diff
I've noticed the front starts to drive much earlier, maybe because the rear wheels both drive?
There is still a slight delay so you can make it drift but it doesn't seem to activate the traction control unless you really drive like your on a dry road, floor it and all 4 wheels spin full power no traction limiting power at all, the light flashes but you can drive at 30mph with the speedo reading 90mph

[Pexter]

Originally Posted by StangSlayerMA

The SRT8 is AWD, not 4WD....there is a big difference.

Like Ekaz said, this is a RWD biased AWD system. The transfer case delivers 90% power to the rear axle, and 10% power to the front until wheel spin is detected. Then it can send up to 40% of the power to the front, but we also have open differentials.......power only goes to one wheel per axle. This type of AWD drive system is designed for maximum traction from a dead stop on dry pavement, not slosh through the snow.......but with good snow tires, and a little practice using the throttle to manipulate the AWD system to send power to the front, it should be manageable. You can't drive it like a 4WD SUV in the snow, you have to treat it like a RWD vehicle. The AWD system wont send more power to the front unless you are spinning the rear tires. You have to use the throttle to steer the truck, and drift it around corners. It doesn't drift smoothly, its kind of a herky-jerky fight for power between the front and rear axles. The truck wiggles left and right as the AWD system figures out which wheel to send power to.

Actually like you said, by using the throttle its possible to make it send power to the front although it's limiting the power already with the traction control. There must be some kind of programming that activates the transfer case based on throttle position. Cool!
I had never tried that since I saw no point in pressing the gas pedal even more when the traction control had already kicked in. Thanks for the advice!

[cmn1]

Originally Posted by Pexter

Actually like you said, by using the throttle its possible to make it send power to the front although it's limiting the power already with the traction control. There must be some kind of programming that activates the transfer case based on throttle position. Cool!
I had never tried that since I saw no point in pressing the gas pedal even more when the traction control had already kicked in. Thanks for the advice!

With a CMR tune you can have your tuner eliminate the throttle control while still allowing the t-case to do it's thing. If you stay stock that's what you get.

[Curt S]

Im right with the op. While the engagement of the front can be induced, its unpredictability is really annoying. Its a element im not liking. Example. A slide has occured or is induced. At the crest of the slide throttle must be applied to correct. U know the correct amount of front wheel pull, steering angle, and throttle needed, but to achieve this the over use of throttle must be used to engage 4wd and constant application of throttle needs to be maintained to keep it engaged. All of that results in a slip angle that is unwanted and dangerous.

One of the reasons I believe the esp is so hypersensitive is too 100% eliminate the chance of sliding. From a safety standpoint on paper it sounds great. But if intentionally or unintentionally your in the situation your sol. I found out the hardway, first storm I had to get it sideways as the front was plowing and needed to avoid the idiot who pulled in front me. Traction control was already turned off as i have read how inhibiting it can be in the snow. So I envoked the slide with the ebrake, and guess what, esp kicked in. Shit, now im sideways with no throttle. Glad it was a open field i went into. Irrated with the situation later that day I pulled the abs fuse. Find a big covered lot and induce a slide. I then found the delay this thread explains. I was searching why is there a delay. Now I know.

So seeing as there is no real cure for it aside from never getting into a situation, logically as we all know I think im gonna sell it. Maybe the newer ones dont have this issue, it seems to act more like a vehicle with acd rather then a off, delay, activate 4wd system. I wish i knew what i know now before i bought it. Sucks cause i really like the jeep.

Btw mine is a 06. Please forgive typos, on phone.

[cmn1]

Originally Posted by Curt S

Im right with the op. While the engagement of the front can be induced, its unpredictability is really annoying. Its a element im not liking. Example. A slide has occured or is induced. At the crest of the slide throttle must be applied to correct. U know the correct amount of front wheel pull, steering angle, and throttle needed, but to achieve this the over use of throttle must be used to engage 4wd and constant application of throttle needs to be maintained to keep it engaged. All of that results in a slip angle that is unwanted and dangerous.

One of the reasons I believe the esp is so hypersensitive is too 100% eliminate the chance of sliding. From a safety standpoint on paper it sounds great. But if intentionally or unintentionally your in the situation your sol. I found out the hardway, first storm I had to get it sideways as the front was plowing and needed to avoid the idiot who pulled in front me. Traction control was already turned off as i have read how inhibiting it can be in the snow. So I envoked the slide with the ebrake, and guess what, esp kicked in. Shit, now im sideways with no throttle. Glad it was a open field i went into. Irrated with the situation later that day I pulled the abs fuse. Find a big covered lot and induce a slide. I then found the delay this thread explains. I was searching why is there a delay. Now I know.

So seeing as there is no real cure for it aside from never getting into a situation, logically as we all know I think im gonna sell it. Maybe the newer ones dont have this issue, it seems to act more like a vehicle with acd rather then a off, delay, activate 4wd system. I wish i knew what i know now before i bought it. Sucks cause i really like the jeep.

Btw mine is a 06. Please forgive typos, on phone.

Do you have a tune? Your tuner can allow the throttle to work while slipping.