You know, so many diehard gearheads moan about all the nannys used on cars these days, especially stability control and it makes me wonder if these guys have ever driven a car with stability control system and had it engage? I consider myself a very good driver and I auto-x my car so I'd like to think I know a little about how my car feels in aburpt manuevers. The VDC system in the G, while a bit intrusive, can really save your butt, especially in the white stuff. I will never buy another car without stability control. On a track, it sucks unless you've got some sort of multi-selectable stability control which can allow for various levels of intervention. However on the street, it can be a life saver.

As for the VDC/traction control noises, what you're hearing is the numerous valves of the ABS system cycling. Depending on which wheel(s) is loosing traction and at what rate, the noise can be soft or rather loud and mechanical. Cold weather seems to increase noise like it does for most any peice of equipment used in cold temps.

 

If it's the same snow i was driving in last night, then it's the ABS. That was VERY slippery snow and my ABS was getting a workout on my ride home while stopping or attempting to move.

ABS engagement sounds/feels like a mechanical grinding/racheting

 

Thanks for the reply, I had a Taurus before this that had a very pronounced ABS, it felt like a hammer drill beneath you feet. It was the same snow btw, I'm in the Merrimack Valley of Mass and the roads were terrible around 6:30.

Thanks as well DaveB.

 

That's about where I was driving through. That was some pretty slippery stuff last night and my ABS and VDC were going nuts the entire time

 

mine sounds like spring popping out ahhhhh i hate it!

 

So i had the same problem this morning driving to work. snow was icy and really slippery. my ABS went insane and i couldnt drive in the condition at all. Thank you for all the usefull information.

 

Same snow here this am. Abs/Tcs were working hard.

Best way I've heard it described.....sounds like a hammer drill under your feet

 

I assume the clicking noise from the VDC gets intentionally louder the more of an idiot you drive like. When I was messing in a closed lot to test how the car would handle in certain snow maneuvers, the harder you slam on the gas, the more it clicks at you.

 

as for the clicking there is also a TSB for clicking coming from the rear as well!