What is the
Traction Control System
(TCS) in a car, and what does the TCS light mean? “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.”
How do you fix a TCS light?
If the traction control light comes on while you're driving, but no other warning lights are illuminated, don't panic. Find a safe place to pull over,
turn off
your vehicle, and then restart it. If a fluke in the TCS system triggered the warning light, it should turn stay off when you restart the engine.
Is it safe to drive with the TCS light on?
It is only safe to drive with the TCS light on if it appears when you are losing traction
: it means the system is engaging. Driving without traction control can make your vehicle susceptible to spinning out and sliding around on the road. … Driving with your TCS Light on can be dangerous.
What causes the TCS light to come on?
The TCS warning light will pop on
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 may light up for a brief period and then go off, or it may flash while it is operating.
Should TCS be on or off?
When turned off, you may notice that your vehicle handles differently than you are used to when driving on slippery surfaces. This is why you
should leave your traction control on at all times
.
How much does it cost to fix the traction control system?
The average price for a traction control switch replacement cost typically ranges
between $80 and $90
for most makes, models, and years of vehicles. This fix's total labor cost is between $38 and $48, while the cost of the parts is generally priced at around $43.
Why wont my traction control light go off?
When this warning indicator light comes on in the dashboard, this could be an indication of several issues such as
faulty wheel speed sensors
, a faulty steering angle sensor, a faulty rotational speed sensor or a problem with the steering rack.
How do you get a TCS light off?
2) The TCS light is
on with an OFF sign underneath
. Simply, this means that your TCS is off. You can easily turn the TCS system on and off with a button inside your car.
What are the signs of a bad traction control module?
- Traction Control System Warning Indicator Light is on. …
- Traction Control System (TCS) won't turn off/on. …
- Loss of Traction Control System (TCS) features. …
- Loss of Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) features.
What causes traction control to malfunction?
Traction control and ABS most commonly develop problems with
the wheel speed sensors
. These sensors are moderately exposed to the elements, leaving them slightly vulnerable. The magnetic operation on the traction control sensors or Anti-lock Braking sensors can be interrupted by dirt or other buildups.
Should I be worried if my ABS light is on?
Driving with the ABS Light on is not a good idea because it means your
ABS is not working properly
. This means your vehicle may not handle like it is designed to under heavy braking. If both your ABS Light and brake system light come on, this is an emergency and you need to stop driving right away.
What does the traction control light look like?
Another light on your dashboard is called the Traction-Control Light (TCL). It can look different, depending on your vehicle model, but it usually has the letters “TC” or
an image that looks like a car with lines bending away from the tires
.
Does traction control affect gas mileage?
Traction control has no effect on gas mileage at all
. Most of the time it is inactive and only comes into play if certain slippery situations come up.
When should you not use traction control?
As a sensible driver, the ONLY TIME you would want to turn off traction control is when you're
traveling up a steep hill where the surface feels loose
because of gravel and stones OR trying to get your car unstuck from the mud.
Is it better to launch with traction control on or off?
Turning
off
the traction control on your car while racing can definitely help you to drive faster and bring you lap times down by a considerable amount. However, it does require a large amount of skill in order to keep your car on the track. … Traction control is a safety net and allows drivers to make mistakes.
Can a bad wheel bearing cause traction control light to come on?
On many modern cars,
a bad wheel bearing will trigger a warning light
. The ABS or traction control warnings will often illuminate, since a bad bearing will trip the system to deactivate.
