How many drive their Maranello's without Traction Control?

That's like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute!. I would suggest you only do it in an abandoned parking lot with lots of room.

 

Heh funny you mention that.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4345NA5H

 

I didn't find the traction control on a 550 to be that intrusive. In fact, it seems to let you have a little bit of fun before kicking in.

I'd be careful about kicking it off. I recall a vid of some guy on the Gumball run who apparently gassed it while going in a straight line with the control off. He ended up sliding right into a metal arm rail. After he hit it, he did a 180 spin to the left.

Your mileage may vary, though.

Dale

 

The ASR in the 550/575 is required to significantly reduce the cockpit drama and the only way Ferrari can rationally sell 500HP rear wheel drive cars for street use.

If you want slightly less intervention, select sport mode which allows a bit more chassis rotation (wheel spin) in corners prior to activation.

 

As far as I know, you may never switch completely off the traction control in a Mercedes, AMG included, much for the same reason mentioned above: to keep most drivers as repeat customers (dead ones tend not to come back....)
Saluti,

 

In my admittedly two short months of ownership, I have found the chassis to be so benign that one can justifiably leave the ASR switched off permanently.

Slides are relatively straightforward to catch, and modulating the right foot away from the lights and junctions is a good personal discipline, unless the kids in the adjacent car are goading me into a tyre smoking getaway. (Well, it would rude not to...)

Fit a Tubi and you won't even feel the need to drive at excessive speeds anyway. Heck, I've not even switched the radio on since I bought the car!

The downside is high mortality of rear tyres and a heightened state of alertness when the road is slippery (or when you're driving home from an evening of karting, and absent mindedly assume you're sitting in front of a mere 13 bhp - not one of my finer moments: was sheer dumb luck rather than skill which saved me).

 

I ALWAYS drive in Sport mode. I like the improved responsiveness and the freedom the traction control leaves you. On full throttle in Sport mode the car WILL slide, and you can steer on the throttle in hairpins and tight bends without the ASR intruding until you're really out of shape. That makes for great fun sliding the car around at high speed in our mountain roads, safe in the knowledge that if you overdo it there is always a safety net to save your investment.

That's why I NEVER switch off the ASR completely. Taking off that safety net would be like gambling $100,000 every time I take to the road.

 

Mine does not have the ASR. They started it I think in 1998..
Its a lot of fun.. Tubi's on .. No Cats with Chip Upgrade..
lots of power.. no asr.. just need to be careful but when its drive.. fun fun fun fun .. You can feel loss of grip up to 4th gear when you gun it and good with stick shift.

 

Be careful... sounds like illegal fun

 

No traction for me.

 

Not the 550 or 575 specifically but I drive every Ferrari/Maserati without the traction control. I usually keep it on until I get used to the car and then take it off, as said before I trust myself more than German/Italian electronics, plus it's much more fun.

 

Normal mode for around town or in the wet. Absorbs the potholes better.

Sports mode gives improved throttle response and more "on throttle" control around the bends. Suspension tightens up nicely, better turn in on corners. This is what I normally use.

No traction control at all when I am having real fun and when no-one is looking , car feels much more responsive and "lighter" but I have never been brave enough to really floor the throttle, instead I drive gingerly like its a bit wet on the road.
Maybe my seat of the pants feel is telling me something like "beware of spin".

Regards,
Ron

 

If you turn it off,make sure that you are prepared for the change in handling.The first time I did it was after performing a PPI of a pretty powder blue 550. after cruising around the block with it on , I reached over and flipped the switch as I approached a left turn at an intersection.I down shifted and hit the gas and proceeded to cross it up in the intersection as the tires lit up! It was a real eye opener for sure.

 

i just bought a 550, i was planning on driving without it. real men don't need traction control...hehehe kidding.

john