What year did the 996 get Traction Control? And does it make these cars snowworthy?
 

What year did the 996 (the C2's) get Traction control? Are they then capable of driving in the snow?

I've been looking for a 964 or 993 C4, but I can't help but noice I could get an early 996 C2 for nearly the same money.. so I have to ask...

Planning on using it as a 365 day a year daily driver in Minnesota, if that helps.

Thanks.

The 99 C2 had the option. You can override it too. LSD too.

I believe that TC has been an option on all 996's (at least until Porsche introduced PSM).

I drive my C2 year round in Chicago. You should have no trouble as long as you switch to snows in the fall.

TC/LSD was only on the MY99 C2. MY99 C4 had PSM.

So after 1999, you'd need to get PSM or it would not have any traction augmentation?

You people up north actually drive these things int he snow??!!!

I don't even want to drive mine in the rain!

-Keith

Thad,

PSM was offered as an option for the C2, it came standard on the C4 and C4S. You can certainly drive a C2 with PSM in the snow. I've owned the C4 and C4S and driven both all year round, either way snow tires are a MUST.

However, they are fantastic daily drivers in all weather conditions.

Rob

TC, traction control, is more of a warning of poor traction than it is an active safety function.

Lexus or Porsche, other than that initial "warning", I have always found it necessary to turn it off and manage my own throttle "feathering" on slippery roadbed conditions.

My C4 does fine on the slippery stuff, but then so does my 1978 Targa with an experienced and sensible driver at the wheel. But neither leaves the garage in those conditions as a result of the level of experience and sensibility of the other drivers out there at the same time.

Yes, after MY99 PSM was standard on all models of the 996 Carrera.

Drive a C2 with PSM year round, agree with Riad, snows are a must.

I have a C2 w/PSM. Drive it year round. The 996 is a great car in the snow with the proper tires (assuming the snow fall is not over 9-10 inches at anyone time). In fact traction from a stand still is fantastic (better than front wheel drive) with all the weight and the weight transfer to the the rear drive tires.

I drive a C2 with PSM year-round in Toronto - it's fantastic! Note that a 2-wheel-drive car with proper snows will be better to drive in the snow than a 4-wheel-drive car with "all season" tires, regardless of whether you have traction control/PSM or not.

Join Date: May 2001
Location: SF Bay Area, CA USA
Posts: 1,225

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thaddeus
So after 1999, you'd need to get PSM or it would not have any traction augmentation?

Not true. PSM was an option for 2000-01

wwest's got it right.......TC isn't the 'snowworthy' test at all.........1995 C4 993s...........throw winter tires on that car & she goes anywhere, leaves trucks & SUVs behind

My 1995 C4 with summer S03s did terrific in 6 inches of snow. My friends thought I was nuts until they came over and saw me lift the car and give it a underbody hot water wash. Thank god for garage drains!
Steve