TC stands for Traction control also known as stability control system on the car. Before we dive into traction control, let’s first understand traction.
Vehicle traction is the friction between the wheels and the road. The friction resisting force provides road grip and prevents the tires from sliding on slippery surface.
Traction control is a safety feature in your car that provides traction when driving in bad weather and terrains.
“The traction control system detects if any of the wheels are losing their grip on the road. Once located, it automatically corrects the problem to ensure the car’s stability.”
What is Traction Control System?
So, what does it mean when you have a TC warning light with a slash in between the letters? Well, this means that the traction control system was manually switched off, or the system has a fault. And at the moment is inactive because of this problem.
Whenever this light is on, it means that your traction control is inoperable. In other words, the system is broken and it has to be fixed before you resume driving.
Driving like this with the warning light is not something that is recommended because the car can become very unpredictable.
For example, you can get a wheel spin while driving over gravel and end up in a ditch. So, making sure that you fix the problem before you resume driving is really important.
Or you can drive with care and make sure that you don’t push the throttle too hard because you will get wheel spin.
When to Use Traction Control
Traction control should stay on even if conditions are not hazardous. It is set to on by default when you start your car.
You can turn off the safety feature, though it’s rare you’ll need to. But traction control must remain activated in driving instances like heavy rain, snow, or icy conditions. Traction control will make a big difference in maintaining your safety.
Traction control can be beneficial when driving around curves in dangerous weather conditions. Making a sharp turn on a stable, non-hazardous surface can also lead to losing traction.
Traction control can be the difference between staying on the road and crashing your car due to skidding, including when the roads are wet or icy.
So, it’s best to leave your traction control on whenever you face hazardous road conditions.
How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction Control is a key safety feature in modern cars. It helps prevent accidents by limiting power to the wheels in slippery conditions. Here’s a detailed look at each component involved in this system:
#1. Wheel Speed Sensors.
Wheel speed sensors are critical to the traction control system. They continuously monitor each wheel’s speed and send this data to the car’s computer.
When one or more wheels spin faster than others—a common occurrence when losing traction—the sensors detect this difference in speed. The traction control system activates to fix this imbalance. It ensures all wheels move at the same rate, helping maintain control and stability.
#2. Lateral Acceleration Sensor.
The lateral acceleration sensor measures sideways forces during turns and sharp maneuvers. This sensor helps determine how much the car is tilting or shifting side to side.
By monitoring these forces, the traction control system can predict potential loss of control or skidding. It adjusts the car’s dynamics accordingly to keep it stable on its intended path.
#3. Steering Angle Sensor.
This sensor tracks the angle of the steering wheel and the direction in which the wheels are turned. The traction control system can detect discrepancies by comparing two things.
It checks the intended direction of the steering and the vehicle’s actual direction. The former is where the driver aims to go, and the latter is where the vehicle is currently moving. When the vehicle is not following the steered direction, the system intervenes. It corrects the vehicle’s path and improves the driver’s control.
#4. Throttle Position Sensor.
The throttle position sensor is vital. It tells the traction control system how much the driver is accelerating.
When the sensor reports that the throttle is fully engaged but the wheel speed sensors indicate wheel slip, the system can quickly reduce engine power.
This reduction in power helps prevent wheel spin. It allows for better traction and smoother acceleration in bad conditions.
Benefits Of TC In Cars
Traction control systems are integral to modern vehicles, offering numerous safety benefits that contribute to a safer and more controlled driving experience. Here’s how traction control proves to be beneficial:
#1. Prevents Loss of Control.
One of the primary benefits of traction control is its ability to prevent loss of power, especially in slippery conditions.
Traction control helps keep the vehicle on its path by monitoring wheel speed and braking individual wheels. This intervention is crucial in preventing the car from skidding or fishtailing, especially during turns or sudden maneuvers.
#2. Allows Better Acceleration.
Traction control assists in smoother and more effective acceleration by ensuring the wheels do not slip when power is applied.
This is particularly beneficial in wet or icy conditions where wheel slip is more likely. Traction control manages the power delivered to the wheels, allowing the car to accelerate steadily and safely without losing grip.
#3. Compensates For Driver Errors.
Traction control can compensate for the driver’s errors in judgment or execution, such as over-acceleration or improper vehicle handling on tricky surfaces.
It acts as a safety net that mitigates the effects of these errors, reducing the risk of accidents caused by driver slip-ups.
#4. Improves Stability.
Traction control improves the vehicle’s overall stability by continuously adjusting the force applied to the wheels. This is vital for maintaining control during sudden stops, sharp turns, or uneven road surfaces.
The enhanced stability makes the drive smoother, more comfortable, and less stressful.
#5. Reduces Accidents.
Ultimately, the combination of improved stability, better acceleration, error compensation, and control loss prevention significantly reduces accidents.
Traction control is particularly effective in reducing single-vehicle accidents caused by skidding or sliding off the road, making it an invaluable feature for enhancing road safety for everyone.
What’s the Difference Between Traction and Stability Control?
Stability control is a lesser-known safety feature. But it’s still there, and it’s helping to keep you safe while driving.
While traction and stability control aren’t the same, they go together to ensure a safe driving experience. They use the same sensors in all four wheels, along with the ABS already in your car. But how do they differ?
Stability control helps to keep your car stable and driving in the direction you want to steer it. While this sounds simple, it’s a pretty complex system.
While using multiple sensors in your wheels, the stability control system adds a few extra sensors to the mix and uses the computer in your vehicle.
The sensors and computer work together to find the intentions of the car’s motion versus the vehicle’s actual motion. If the two don’t align, the stability control will help to stabilize the movement and go where you intended.
Similar to how traction control automatically applies the brakes to a wheel spinning too fast, the stability control system will also apply the brakes to a wheel that is not doing the intended movement.
Causes Of Traction Control Light
Why would the traction control light appear on your cluster? There could be multiple things. So, let’s cover them in the following chapters in-depth.
#1. You Turned Off The Traction Control Manually.
The first and most common cause for the TC light and a slash is a driver’s action. Sometimes these buttons are placed on the center console and it can happen that you press this button unknowingly.
This is why you should make sure that you press the button again and this will hopefully sort out the problem. By pressing the button, you will turn on the traction control system again and the light will disappear from the cluster.
If you can’t locate the button. It is worth noting that this button has a car with two skid lines beneath it. Sometimes it says “TC” or “Traction Control”. Sometimes this button is named “SPORT”. It really depends on the car model.
#2. Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor.
The second most common cause of this problem is a faulty wheel speed sensor. Every car has four of these sensors. Each of these sensors is mounted on each wheel. They are mounted and get a reading from a component known as a tone ring.
This is basically a ring with a lot of grooves. So, as the wheel rotates, the sensor gets a reading from this tone ring.
Sometimes, the wheel speed sensor can become faulty and stop collecting these readings. Or possibly, the tone ring will become dirty and will give bad readings to the sensor. And problems such as these can occur.
The solution is the replacement of this sensor with a new unit or replace the tone ring if this component is faulty.
#3. Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor.
The next common cause of the TC light is the vehicle speed sensor. This sensor is much different compared to the wheel speed sensor.
Mainly because the vehicle speed sensor is mounted on the transmission itself. This sensor is really important and regulates a lot of processes.
Luckily, it is really easy to diagnose. So, if you have the TC light on and you also have problems recording the mileage of the car, there is a big chance that this is the sensor that is causing the problem.
Replacing it can be difficult because it is mounted on the transmission itself and replacing these sensors on rear-wheel drive cars can be somewhat expensive.
#4. Faulty Steering Angle Sensor.
Another failure point is the steering angle sensor. Each car has a steering angle sensor that is mounted on the steering column. This sensor records the position of the steering column. And whenever the sensor cannot get a reading, you will get problems such as this.
Sometimes this sensor has to be calibrated and you can do this by rotating the steering wheel to the left and to the right a couple of times.
But in most cases, you will have to replace the sensor with a new one. For this to happen, you will have to remove the steering wheel and then you will be able to remove the sensor.
If you own a Dodge or a Chrysler from the older models, this sensor is very likely causing you these issues.
#5. Faulty ABS Control Module.
A faulty ABS control module can also cause a problem like this. So, what is the ABS control module?
Well, this is the computer that regulates the ABS pump. The control module gets the reading from the steering column sensor and the wheel speed sensors.
What is unfortunate is that this module is really expensive and can cost a lot of money to get replaced. You will pay anywhere between $500 and $1,200 to get this module replaced. Which is unfortunate. Luckily, these ABS modules do not go out that frequently.
#6. Faulty ABS Pump.
The ABS pump is another failure point that can trigger a problem such as this TC light on the cluster.This is a hydraulic pump that is basically connected to the control module. When this pump is engaged, it sends hydraulic pressure to the brakes and activates the ABS.
These hydraulic pumps also do not tend to fail very often. But there are some models that have more sensitive ABS pumps which can fail at a higher rate than others.
Unfortunately, this pump is also very expensive and can cost thousands of dollars in some cases. What many people do is get a used one for a cheaper price.
#7. Faulty Yaw Sensor.
A faulty yaw sensor can also be a cause for the TC light to appear on the cluster. So, what is a yaw sensor? A yaw sensor is a sensor specifically designed for the traction control system. This yaw sensor records the center of gravity of the vehicle.
This sensor is mounted under the driver or passenger seat, or it is mounted on the floorboard. Whenever this sensor is faulty, you will get the TC light and the traction system can malfunction.
Advantages Of Traction Control
- Reduced accident potential
- Improves the efficiency of automatic control on slippery roads
- Easier to maneuver
- Safer when undertaking sharp corners or roundabouts at higher speeds
- Lower cost of insurance
- Easier installation
Disadvantages Of Traction Control
- Higher car prices
- Higher car maintenance cost
- Increased wear of brakes
- Not ideal for all situations
Is it Dangerous to Drive with the Traction Control Warning Light On?
Although the traction control system will be switched on by default when you start your engine, the system will not be in operation until it detects that there is a loss of traction between the tires and the road.
The majority of times, when you are driving under normal circumstances, traction control will not be in operation. If the traction control fault light is on, it should be safe to drive as long as you do so carefully and within the limits of your car.
How can I fix the TC on my car?
If the traction control light comes on intermittently, there is a problem that may not be “hard coded,” meaning it isn’t a permanent condition yet. A flickering light could also mean that the system is not fully operational, so use extra caution in adverse road conditions.
Many traction control systems will illuminate the warning light when the system detects a loss of traction, like in snowy or rainy weather.
Typically the light is seen when the system intervenes to maintain traction. It’s a good idea to read the section in your vehicle owners manual to familiarize yourself with how your traction or stability system operates.
If the traction control light illuminates and stays lit without blinking, this means that the traction control system has been deactivated, and there is no traction control available.
There may even be a message broadcast by the driver information center warning that the traction control system is shut down and to use extra caution when driving, especially in water, ice, and snow.
The only way to properly resolve either of the above conditions is to have the vehicle properly diagnosed at a qualified repair shop.
Always have the repair shop do a full computer systems scan. It may not necessarily be a fault in the traction control system that is setting the light.
Sometimes a fault in the engine management system first shows up in the traction control system, such as an intermittently defective throttle position sensor in the electronic throttle control.
The basic mechanical components of the powertrain system must also be properly inspected.
Anything that would cause a rough or jerky application of power can cause wheel slip, which means that worn drivelines, axles, and constant velocity joints are suspect.
Even a harsh transmission shift or badly misfiring engine can cause wheel spin and illuminate the traction control light.
How much does it cost to fix a traction control system?
The estimated cost for the replacement of the traction control switch is about $100 to $125. The parts cost around $50 to $75, while the labor cost is estimated to be about $50 to $75.
It doesn’t cost a fortune to fix your car’s traction control system when you discover it is faulty. Instead of managing a bad traction control system and playing around with an imminent accident, why not take a moment to get the problem solved by a mechanic?
FAQs.
Is it OK to drive without traction control?
It depends on the situation under which you are driving. If you experience any difficulty getting your car to move efficiently because of a slippery road caused by snowfall or any other thing, it would be helpful to switch off traction control.
Otherwise, your car’s traction control system must always be on to ensure safety as you drive.
What does the traction control light look like?
The traction control light looks like a car’s rear end with curvy lines behind it. It shows that your car’s traction is defective, and as a result of that, one or more of your car’s tires are losing traction, which may lead to unnecessary swerving as you drive.
If you find out that your car’s traction control light is on, try as much as possible to take your car to an auto mechanic to fix the issue.
When should you not use traction control?
If your car gets stuck in sand or snow, you should turn off traction control. Since traction control helps reduce power dispensed to the wheels while you drive to ensure that there is no slippage, leaving it on while your car is stuck in sand or snow will cause the tires to keep spinning without any result.
Therefore, it would be best to turn it off to get your car out of the snow or sand using the “rocking” strategy to reverse your car a little and drive forward a little. By doing this for a few minutes, you will get your car out of the situation.
Should I turn the traction control off in the rain?
It is not advised to turn off the traction control system in the rain because you may lose about one-third of your car’s traction if you do so.
The best thing to do as you drive in the rain is to reduce your speed to enable you to have sufficient control over the wheels in case of slippage. No matter what you do, do not completely turn off your car’s traction control system in the rain.
Is it better to drive with traction control on or off in the snow?
If you discover that your car is stuck in the snow, the best thing to do is turn off traction control because traction control prevents wheel spin. Meanwhile, wheel spin can sometimes be the way to get your car out if it’s stuck in the snow.
So, turning off the traction control system will allow your car’s tires to receive more power (force) to get out of the situation.
Final Words
Much information has been exposed about the traction control (TC) system and how it works. If you were wondering, “What does TC mean on a car?” you have also seen some reasons why your car’s traction control light may turn ON when you least expect it.
It would help if you endeavored to avoid circumstances that may affect your car’s traction control, such as driving on a bad road and so on.
However, you may not be able to entirely avoid some circumstances that may affect your car’s traction control. If you discover that your car’s traction control light is ON, kindly use the solution that has been provided in this article to fix the problem.