Traction Control System
While an advantage in certain situations, traction control is not a substitute for safe riding.
Harley-Davidson's cornering enhanced traction control system can detect when one or both of the drive wheels lose traction. In wet or slippery conditions, or under abrupt acceleration, the traction-control system will limit torque or apply brakes to the drive wheels that lose traction.
By reducing tire spin, the Traction Control System will maintain control, while allowing maximum acceleration.
The vehicle is also equipped with a Drag Torque Slip Control System to help maintain control under deceleration. When you deliver an abrupt reduction in acceleration to the vehicle, during early downshifts, or when the powertrain decelerates on wet or slippery surfaces, the vehicle may experience rear wheel slip.
How Traction Control Works
The cornering enhanced traction control System constantly monitors the vehicles lateral acceleration during turns, and will adjust torque to the drive wheels when it senses a loss of traction, or when necessary to improve vehicle control while cornering.
This adjustment is designed to limit wheel spin and help the rider maintain the desired course of travel in corners.
During start up, the traction-control lamp flashes simultaneously with the ABS lamp, this indicates that both systems are waiting for the vehicle to complete a wheel speed sensor check. The traction control system is operational after startup even during the wheel speed sensor check. The traction control lamp should turn off when the sensor check is complete.
If the drag torque slip control system senses rear wheel slip under powertrain deceleration, in straight-aways or corners, it may decrease drag torque, by increasing engine Revolutions Per Minute (rpm), to limit the slip and maintain control.
How To Use Traction Control
NOTE
When running a vehicle on a dyno it is advised that traction control be disabled to prevent intervention based on tire speed differences front to rear.
Traction control is automatically enabled at each ignition start cycle. The rider may choose to disable traction control anytime the vehicle is at a complete stop and the engine is running by pressing and holding the traction control switch for one full second.
The rider may find it beneficial to disengage traction control in low speed low traction situations such as, riding in deep sand, riding uphill on wet grass, or similar situations. The traction control lamp will illuminate and remain illuminated to indicate traction control is disabled. However, if the TC lamp remains on in conjunction with the fault indicator lamp, it means the traction control system has faulted. If this occurs, see an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
The rider may again enable traction control at any time during vehicle operation by pressing and releasing the Traction control switch.
If the traction control lamp begins fast-blinking while riding, it means the traction-control system is intervening.
Intervention of the Drag Torque Slip Control is indicated by fast-blinking of the traction control lamp. However, disabling your Traction Control will not disable Drag Torque Slip Control.
Table 1. Traction Control Symptoms and Conditions
SYMPTOM
CONDITION
Traction control lamp off
Traction control system active.
Traction control lamp continuously lit
Traction control system deactivated by user.
Traction control lamp and security/fault indicator lamp continuously lit
Traction control system faulted.
Traction control lamp flashing
Normal condition. Traction control intervention.
Reduction of throttle response during a traction control event
Normal condition. Traction control intervention.
"Surge" sensation while decelerating
Normal condition. Drag torque slip control intervention.