Well, I gave the "hard brake" test a try and i could not duplicate the gripe. It was definitely the traction control system. How exactly does the traction control system work mechanically? I'll feel it sometimes try to slow my tires down when i make a hard turn or try to accelerate hard after a red light on a slippery surface. I'm just hoping everytime it activates, it's not damaging the car from fighting the acceleration. I found this interesting article that has examples of different traction control systems,
http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-7C06-5...-39D517AB-prod1
Which does the SC300 have? I think it's this one:
"3. Drive train Traction Control. This system is the most expensive and it also uses the components of the Anti-lock system to monitor the wheel speed, and a computer that controls slippage by controlling the torque to the slipping wheel or wheels. The computer controls the torque by closing the throttle, shutting off the fuel, !Removed! the timing or shut down cylinders. The computer can use one or all of the control techniques.
One draw back is that the system controls the torque in all slippery conditions, a system cutoff switch is installed when a wheel spin is needed, such as rocking a car to get out of a hole. You will also notice that you can not accelerate through a turn, the accelerator is all the way to the floor but you are not gaining speed. This can occur even if you are not on a slippery surface.
The Traction Control systems are very useful in rainy or icy conditions. The Drive train Traction Control can be a nuisance if you are not driving in adverse road conditions. As in every system the driver still controls the vehicle, it will not make you a better driver but gives you more control of you vehicle when you encounter adverse weather conditions. As always drive safe, and drive defensively."