What You Need to Know About Traction Control & When to Disable It

Have you ever been driving on a slippery road and felt your car start to slide or skid? It’s a scary feeling, but thankfully, most modern vehicles are equipped with a safety feature called traction control that helps keep you on the straight and narrow.

But what exactly is traction control, how does it work, and are there ever times when you should turn it off?

How Traction Control Works

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Traction control is an electronic system that uses sensors to monitor the speed of each wheel. If it detects that one or more wheels are spinning faster than the others (indicating a loss of traction), it automatically applies the brakes to that wheel and/or reduces engine power until traction is regained. 

This helps prevent the vehicle from skidding or sliding, especially on wet, icy, or loose surfaces.(ref)

Traction control works in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) to help maintain the driver’s control of the vehicle. While ABS prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, and ESC helps correct a skid or slide by selectively applying the brakes to individual wheels, traction control specifically addresses wheel slip during acceleration.

When to Keep Traction Control On

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In most driving situations, it’s best to leave the traction control on. It’s an important safety feature that can help prevent accidents, especially in adverse weather conditions or on poorly maintained roads.

Even if you’re an experienced driver with good car control skills, traction control provides an extra layer of protection and can react faster than humanly possible to changing traction conditions.

Traction control is especially important when accelerating from a stop on slippery surfaces, driving up a steep hill in low-traction conditions, or navigating curves and turns in the rain or snow. By limiting wheel spin and helping the tires maintain their grip on the road, traction control can help you avoid skids, slides, and loss of control.

When to Consider Turning Traction Control Off

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There are a few specific situations where turning traction control off can be beneficial:

  • When stuck in deep snow, mud, or sand: Traction control may limit wheel spin too much, preventing you from rocking the vehicle back and forth or maintaining momentum to get unstuck. Turning it off can allow some controlled wheel spin to help you power through.
  • When using tire chains: The uneven surface of the chains may trigger the traction control system unnecessarily. Turning it off can prevent unwanted brake application or power reduction.
  • When launching a high-performance vehicle: Some high-performance cars have a competition or track mode that allows more wheel slip for maximum acceleration. Experienced drivers may want to turn traction control off in a controlled environment like a closed course.

However, even in these situations, it’s important to exercise caution and good judgment. Turning traction control off means you’re relying solely on your own driving skills to maintain control of the vehicle.

If you’re unsure or inexperienced, it’s best to leave it on and find another solution, like using traction aids or calling for help.

Key Takeaway for Safe Traction Control Use

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Traction control is an important safety feature that can help you maintain control of your vehicle in a wide range of driving conditions. In most situations, it’s best to leave it on and let it do its job.

However, there are a few specific scenarios where turning it off can be beneficial, as long as you exercise caution and good judgment. Understanding how traction control works and when to use it is an important part of being a safe and knowledgeable driver.

Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.