A system and method for improving vehicle performance on a grade comprises an engine, an acceleration sensor, a global positioning system, a controller and a torque transfer device. The controller determines the grade from information obtained from the global positioning system and the acceleration sensor. The controller calculates a dynamic weight shift of the vehicle from a first wheel to a second wheel due to acceleration and a static weight shift of the vehicle from the first wheel to the second wheel due to gravity and the grade. The controller then determines the maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted to the first wheel before the first wheel slips and avoids slipping by preemptively diverting torque from the first wheel to the second wheel before the first wheel slips.