I know when a Porsche has the PSM option there is a button on the dash where you can turn it off that say PSM off, but i have also seen a button in the exact same place that says traction control off... What's the difference between the two? Is there any? Thanks!

 

The traction control button is found in the pre-psm cars. I think '99-'00 but don't quote me on that.

 

Correct, 97-99 or 00 Boxsters and 99- early 00 996's had traction control as options but it is not as good as PSM.

 

PSM saved me the other night....I had just gotten my car detailed and I have NO IDEA what they used on my tires. Well I was coming home as ususal and there is a nice high speed sweeper i usually take at about 90-100, well I hit the corner as usual except there was a felling of instability in my C4! My PSM light goes on for a flash, my car which started to oversteer horribly, straightened out and before I even knew what happened, I was out of the corner and realized that if I had spun at 90...it would have been over, right into the barrier...PSM (and maybe all wheel drive as well) saved me...great system. Now no more chemicals on my tires!

 

Whoa! Incredible story! Glad you made it out ok... So why isnt the pre PSM ( Traction control ) as good? Is the system even close to as good?

 

the pre-PSM TC was only available on C2/RWD cars...PSM was developed with the AWD system and was then also offered on the RWD models...

 

So really how much better is the PSM than the TC? ie. would it have saved newport996 in his incident? What are the main differences? Thanks!

 

http://www.champion-motors.com/porsc...20PSM_main.htm

This talks about traction control....It looks like PSM has more sensors and throttle control. PSM uses the ABS system but also controls the throttle of the car, while traction control just uses brakes.