Hmm, I gotta test this now.

 

I keep trying to visualize the function too, and then I see your avatar and my visualizer goes a little haywire. Damn visualizer...

 

You dont have to turn it off in 4low because ESP is off by defult in 4low. The traction control stays active even if esp is turned off per the manual. Not sure if that holds true if it is turned off with the esp switch mod though.

4WD Low Range
ESP Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD low
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD low range,
or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD
high range or neutral to 4WD low range, the ESP system
will be in this mode. In 4WD low range, ESP and TCS,
except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS
section, are turned off

 

When you say traction control, you are talking about ESP correct?

We really need some serious experimentation here.

Wayoflife, up for some testing?

 

It sounds like you can not disable the traction control part of the ESP package.
On the road for every day driving I leave it on. When it snows and I want to play around doing a little powersliding I kill the ESP with the mod.

 

Hey laughingstock, this one's been tested. There are several threads about the virtues of the system. People have linked video from Jeep. There is always some confusion about the different aspects of the ESP system.

I think it boils down to this.
In 2wd with Esp on it will go to great lengths to prevent wheel spin. It will "tap the brake" on the offending wheel or wheels to get things in order. If the driver is bound & determined to power through this correction, it will also reduce throttle response to stop wheel spin.

As far as I can tell, it behaves the same way(when on) in 4 hi. If left on it will bring you to a grinding halt on a slippery climb. In 4 hi I seem to be alble to get away with a tap of the ESP switch. If you hold the switch for down long enough you will get an ESP OFF message under your speedo. I haven't had to do this for my purposes. Just pushing it once has restored gas pedal for me.

2K2 has covered the 4lo behavior. And when you consider it's intalled on every single jeep, and that they dropped the price of JK's vs. TJ's it's a great freebee.

The traction control aspect is always there. It's the foundation of the ESP system. THe traction control is what forces some amount of torque to be transmitted to the wheel on the ground.

So we are talking about that specific subset of the esp system. Not something that is installed in the axle like a limited slip or locker.

 

I'm assuming those jeeps with the limited slip differential wont have the ESP on at all??? Whereas those of us without it can utilize the ESP as our built in LSD???

 

Amen, brother.

I love playing in the winter, in-vehicle or out. ESP kinds takes the fun out of winter driving, but avoids the surprises when you're not trying to play.