[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by noro

In theory you are right. But here's what happens...

Let's call the maximum amount of traction you can get at a specific point on the road (T). On a snowy surface if you were to measure the T over even a few inches you would get a variation in this value. It's because in some places you have some of the asphalt exposed and in other parts you just have ice.. you get the picture.

Now picture the tire traveling on this variable T road, you hit a patch with very little T, so the wheel now begins to overspin... keep in mind the vehicle is still moving because it has some kinetic energy in it. The older system would detect this slippage and just cut out the power and in effect stop the car. The new system is smarter in that it allows the spinning wheel to continue because chances are while the car is moving forward the wheel will encounter a path with a higher T value and hook once again and propel the car forward.

I love algebra.