Traction Control Switch
The dashboard or console control that lets the driver disable traction control, or select a mode tuned for a particular surface.
It exists because there are real situations where traction control makes things worse. In deep snow, mud or sand, spinning the wheels is how a car digs down to something solid or clears a path — and traction control exists precisely to prevent that. A vehicle that will not spin its wheels can be immovable where one that will drives away. Rocking a car out of a rut needs it too.
On capable vehicles it selects between calibrations rather than just switching off — snow, mud, sand, rock and sport permit different amounts of slip before intervening, and allow ABS different amounts of lock-up.
A fault can leave the system stuck either way, and one direction is dangerous. Stuck disabled means no traction control in the wet with no obvious sign, since the indicator lamp may be the only clue. Read the switch and its indicator together.
It is a console switch, so it fails like one — a spilled drink, a worn contact, or a connector disturbed while something else was fitted.
Also known as: tcs switch, traction control button, esp off switch, stability control switch, traction off button, drive mode selector
Referenced by 2 codes
Codes involving this component (2)
Other components in Braking, Steering and Suspension
- Brake Booster 92
- Wheel Speed Sensor 72
- ABS Hydraulic Modulator 69
- Brake Pressure Sensor 42
- Tone Wheel 39
- Yaw Rate Sensor 28
- Brake Pedal Position Sensor 23
- Steering Angle Sensor 21
- Electric Power Steering Motor 13
- Ride Height Sensor 7
- Tyre Pressure Sensor 5
- Electric Park Brake Actuator 4
- Park Brake Control Module 4
- Air Suspension Compressor 3
- Brake Fluid Level Sensor 2
- Brake Pad Wear Sensor 2
- Brake Caliper 1
Information, not instruction
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