Traction control system (TCS) is one of the active safety systems of the vehicle. It helps in maintaining grip between the wheels and the road. The traction control system was made part of vehicles in the 1970s but it was not widespread due to technological limitations. However, TCS has become an integral part of the modern automobile safety system since 2011. Let’s give a read to how traction control works, when to switch off traction control and warning signs.
HOW DOES TRACTION CONTROL WORK?
The modern traction control is engineered to limit driven wheels from spinning and slipping. The system effectively helps in accelerating from rest or on a slippery hill. This technology allows a smoother ride by adjusting the lost traction on the wheels on snowy, muddy or rainy roads. When the wheel is spinning more than usual the sensor effectively helps in controlling and stabilising the loose grip on the road.
Traction control works on a basic phenomenon alongside other modern safety features in a car. When it detects any loss of grip in the wheels, it gives signals to the Electronic control unit (ECU) also known as car computer that uses ABS to apply brakes and gain the lost traction by bleeding a little hydraulic brake pressure, thus making the vehicle stable to drive.
This technology can be used in front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive (AWD) cars. However, the process remains the same for all. It uses the Hall effect sensor which helps in detecting the driven and non-driven wheel speed. So, when a vehicle is found losing traction, the system intervenes and balances the grip by cutting engine power to stop skidding.
SHOULD I SWITCH OFF TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR?
Switching off any safety system sensor is not recommended. However, there are following conditions where one can turn off TCS while driving to gain momentum and increase the power to the wheels:
- When you are driving on a slippery surface at a low speed, you can find it difficult to drive as wheels won’t receive the power they require to gain momentum.
- When the car wheels get stuck in mud or snow, it requires more momentum and power.
The driver can switch off the traction by pressing the button with a car and wavy lines. After switching off, the driver can see the yellow warning light on the car dashboard. The traction control system must always be activated at higher speeds to ensure safety of passengers in slippery conditions.
TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL
Electronic stability control (ESC) incorporates TCS and ABS to provide more stability to the vehicle and turn it safely to the direction of the steering wheel. Stability control ensures more safety with the traction control part of this system.
Since autonomous vehicles are the next evolution, these will modify the existing ESC, TCS, and ABS along with all the computing sensors to provide ultimate safety to the passengers.
CAUSES OF TCS WARNING LIGHT
In the car dashboard warning lights, you can also find a traction control warning light. But why does this light turns on?
BAD WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
There are different types of wheel speed sensors to which TCS is linked. A faulty wheel speed sensor will not detect the speeds accurately, therefore it will cause loss of traction and warning light can come on. A bad wheel speed sensor may also turn on the brake warning light or ABS.
BAD ROAD CONDITIONS
In extreme snow, mud or wet road conditions, the traction control might not work appropriately because maintaining the road grip will be difficult. If it gets too difficult, then the driver may see a traction warning light on the dashboard.
FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR
The steering angle sensor is a part of stability control of a vehicle. Fault in this sensor can also show a traction control warning light.
TURNING OFF TCS
When you turn off the traction control, the warning light will go on. You can press the TCS button to switch it on and the traction warning light will disappear.
FAULTY ABS
Problems in ABS or brakes can impact the TCS and turn on the traction warning light alongside ABS and brake warning lights. Failure in ABS can be due to the following causes:
- Wiring in the sensor
- Faulty magnetic rings on the ABS
- Water causing the faults in ABS sensor and control unit
When you witness a traction warning light make sure you visit car service and repair centres because failure in TCS and ABS can result in faulty brakes. This was all about the traction control system in a vehicle. Make sure you check all the safety features when you buy a used car in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on safety features and different sensors in a car.
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