Traction Control System
While an advantage in certain situations, traction control is not a substitute for safe riding.
Harley-Davidson's cornering traction control system can detect when the drive wheel loses traction. In wet or slippery conditions, or under abrupt acceleration, the traction-control system will limit torque to the drive wheel during loss of traction.
By reducing tire spin, the Traction Control System will aid the riders ability to maintain control while still allowing for appropriate vehicle 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 when going straight and during turns, and will adjust torque delivered to the drive wheel based on detected lean angle and/or tire slip.
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, it may decrease drag torque, by increasing engine
Revolutions Per Minute (rpm), to limit the slip and aid the rider's ability to maintain control.
How To Use Traction Control
NOTE
When running a vehicle on a dynamometer 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 indicator will illuminate and remain illuminated to indicate traction control is disabled. However, if the TC indicator remains on in conjunction with the fault indicator, it means the traction control system has faulted. If this occurs see an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
During some fault conditions Traction Control will be enabled with degraded function and cannot be disabled.
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 indicator 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 indicator. 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. |