Support & FAQ

Yes! Total Traction uses only your iPhone's accelerometer. It works anywhere, even offline, with no GPS or internet connection required. No external hardware needed.

Total Traction requires iOS 18.0 or later. It works on all iPhones that support iOS 18.

Yes! Total Traction works in any vehicle—car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle—as long as you can mount your iPhone securely. The physics are universal.

Park on level ground, open the app, and tap "Calibrate". Keep your vehicle stationary for 10 seconds while the app determines the gravity vector. You only need to recalibrate if you change your phone mount position or orientation.

This is correct physics! When you brake, inertia pushes you forward (you feel it in your seatbelt). The app shows inertial forces—what your body feels—not the braking forces themselves. Think of it as showing the direction you're being pushed.

Yes! By artificially limiting yourself on dry roads (using Ice or Snow mode), you build the smooth driving habits needed for actual bad weather. It's like a flight simulator for winter driving—safe practice without real risk. You'll develop muscle memory for the gentle inputs required in low-traction conditions.

The app uses proper vehicle dynamics physics to calculate traction based on road conditions and normal force. Accuracy depends on selecting the correct road condition and assumes good tire condition. It's a reference tool, not an absolute measurement—always drive safely within your comfort level.

Absolutely! Total Traction is great for track days and autocross. Use it to monitor consistency, learn to use more of your car's capability, and see where you're leaving performance on the table. Set to Dry mode with threshold around 85-90%.

Vector mode shows a directional arrow indicating force direction and magnitude, with concentric rings for reference. Bar Chart mode is a traditional horizontal bar display. Both show the same percentage—choose whichever you prefer. Toggle between them in settings.

Minimal impact. The accelerometer uses very little power. The app prevents screen sleep (like navigation apps), which uses some battery, but overall impact is similar to using Apple Maps or Google Maps. Consider charging while driving for longer trips.

Audio alerts work through CarPlay audio, but the display doesn't (Apple restriction on what apps can show on CarPlay). Mount your iPhone where you can see it, and audio will route to your car speakers automatically when connected via CarPlay.

No. Total Traction doesn't collect any user data. No analytics, no tracking, no third-party services. Everything happens locally on your iPhone. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Yes! You can customize the threshold (when alerts start), pitch range, and beep rate multiplier. Adjust in settings to match your training goals and preferences.

Just recalibrate—it takes 10 seconds. Park on level ground, tap "Calibrate", and wait. The app will adjust for your new mount position/angle.

Total Traction is designed as a reference tool to help you learn vehicle dynamics and improve driving smoothness. Like any gauge, mount it where it doesn't obstruct your view and use audio alerts so you don't need to watch the screen constantly. Always prioritize road awareness over the app display.

This means you've exceeded the traction limit for the selected road condition—your tires are slipping. Immediately reduce speed, brake more gently, or steer less sharply. The app is warning you that you're at or beyond the limit of adhesion.

No. The app assumes good tire condition. If your tires are worn, damaged, or low on pressure, actual available traction will be lower than indicated. Always maintain your tires properly and drive within safe limits.

Total Traction is a reference tool, not an absolute authority. It cannot account for all variables like surface contamination, tire quality, vehicle load, or road defects. Use it to learn and improve, but always drive safely and within speed limits. Your judgment and situational awareness are paramount.

First, ensure you're calibrated on level ground. If readings still seem off, check that your phone mount is secure and not vibrating. Recalibrate if needed. Make sure you've selected the appropriate road condition.

Check your iPhone's volume settings and ensure the app isn't muted. If using Bluetooth or CarPlay, verify the connection. Check the audio threshold setting—if it's set too high, alerts won't trigger until you reach that percentage.

Total Traction should prevent screen sleep automatically. If this isn't working, check your iPhone's Auto-Lock settings in Settings > Display & Brightness. You may need to set it to "Never" while using the app.

First, try force-quitting and restarting the app. If problems persist, restart your iPhone. Make sure you're running the latest version of the app and iOS. Contact support if issues continue.