Traction control - how loud?

[unfocused1]

Last night, in the fun snowstorm, traction control came on. The yellow light came on and I heard a brief 'clunk' noise when traction control enabled.

I'm 99% certain the loudness is normal, and after the system disengaged, the yellow light went off, there was no new noise, and the car drove normally so I'm not entirely worried. But, not having experienced this before, I was wondering if others have had their TCS turn on and, if so, was there a clunk when it engaged? And when it disengaged was it quiet?

Thanks!

[Sponsor]

[BLRich1]

On the older models, the clunk is from the brakes engaging and releasing. Its the same noise you hear when the ABS kicks in. I would say its the same process with the newer models.

[suss6052]

Traction control doesn't seem to make any discernable noise in my car on snow/ ice/ etc.

Only on a hard launch on dry or possibly also on damp pavement did the TCS make a horrible clanging noise as the rear motor mount hits against the subframe and the axles start to hop (wheel/ axle hop).

Driving on snow and having the TCS kick in at very low throttle applications it just pulled back the throttle's effectiveness and possibly was also clamping on the brakes. However on dry pavement I was worried it would break something terribly if I needed to make a quick get away from a light or something. With the TCS off it doesn't clang, the wheels just spin a touch and it goes.

[unfocused1]

Originally Posted by BLRich1

On the older models, the clunk is from the brakes engaging and releasing. Its the same noise you hear when the ABS kicks in. I would say its the same process with the newer models.

That makes sense...

Originally Posted by suss6052

Traction control doesn't seem to make any discernable noise in my car on snow/ ice/ etc.

Only on a hard launch on dry or possibly also on damp pavement did the TCS make a horrible clanging noise as the rear motor mount hits against the subframe and the axles start to hop (wheel/ axle hop).

Driving on snow and having the TCS kick in at very low throttle applications it just pulled back the throttle's effectiveness and possibly was also clamping on the brakes. However on dry pavement I was worried it would break something terribly if I needed to make a quick get away from a light or something. With the TCS off it doesn't clang, the wheels just spin a touch and it goes.

I was stopped, a passenger got in, then hit the accelerator. Since there was a fair amount of slick snow, I felt the wheels spin and then the clunk. The car didn't spin or anything and the car moved forward.

Based on your explanation (2nd, 3rd paragraphs) as well as suss6052's, I think all is normal...

Definitely lovin' the fact I upgraded from '09 to '12, despite the cost and less-unique design, which is still way-cool... (I kicked myself in the heiney in 09 for taking the mechanic's advice and not going through the paperwork to exchange... but then, the 12 model has been a MUCH nicer ride and in so many ways...)

That and, getting 40MPG in the winter is a real WIN.

[rsnow]

the traction control system incorperates brakes and throttle control when it sees the wheels slip dependent on how much. the vehicle can actually start shutting down cylinders to limit power to keep wheels from slipping