CAUTION: The Traction Control System (TCS) and Anti-Lock Brakes (ALB) are SAFETY features. Disabling them can be DANGEROUS. This is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute endorsement of disabling these features. Please exercise caution.
The ALB system can be disabled by pulling the parking brake up one or two "clicks," then starting the car and driving (preferably slowly!) with the parking brake just barely engaged for a few miles. The ALB warning light on the dash will come on to warn you that ALB is not active. Once this happens you can completely disengage the parking brake.
TCS can, of course, be turned off and on by simply pressing the "TCS"button the dashboard. It will reset to "ON" every time the car is started. Some people like to drive with it off ALL the time, however, and find it a hassle to press the button every time the start the car. Others find the "TCS OFF" dash indicator light very annoying. Both problems are solved by the following:
[KJ] To disable the TCS, all you have to do is pull both connectors off the TCS computer. This disables all the TCS lights, so they won’t light up even when you initially turn on the ignition. That way, you won’t burn out your dash warning lights or be distracted by bright dash lights at night. All other ways of disabling the TCS, and there are many, leave at least one of these lights illuminated. To restore TCS capability, just plug the connectors back in.
The TCS computer is behind the trim panel under the rear window, at the car’s extreme left, behind the driver’s left shoulder. Pull the top of the trim panel forward, then up. You will also need to pull the top of the square panel forward to get enough space to pull the lower connector off.
I personally prefer to use the TCS, and I never disable it, other than the brief test of this technique last night. If you decide to disable it yourself, be aware that you are giving up some protection when aggressive turning on wet or slippery surfaces. I think the TCS has saved me at least one spin-out at a wet intersection.
CAUTION: The Traction Control System (TCS) and Anti-Lock Brakes (ALB) are SAFETY features. Disabling them can be DANGEROUS. This is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute endorsement of disabling these features. Please exercise caution.
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