What is a Traction Control System? Why does the ASR/TCS light turn on? What is the working principle of the traction control system? What causes does the traction lamp to turn on ?….
Modern vehicles are equipped with numerous electronic systems. Many electronic systems include warning lights that notify the driver of any malfunctions. One example is the traction light.
It is a good sign if the traction light works at the right time. This is unlike other warning lights. It should blink at irregular times or stay on constantly, however, it could be a sign of trouble.
Before you can figure out why your traction control light is on you must first understand what the traction controller system is.
What is Traction Control System and how does it work?
Modern cars have many safety features that help protect the passengers from any possible accidents. These safety systems include anti-lock brakes and cornering brake control. They also have brake assist and anti-collision systems. Although the names of these abbreviations, such as TCS and ASR, TRC or ESC, are all related to the traction controller system, they may differ depending on their manufacturers.
These electronic systems share data from a number of sensors. Each system processes the data in its own way and uses it to warn or avoid dangers. These systems may have warning lamps installed on the instrument panel to alert the driver in case of malfunction.
The Traction Control System monitors the wheel’s traction. We may encounter slippery roads in our daily driving. Roads can become slippery due to natural factors like oil spillage from another vehicle, rain or snow. Slippery roads can cause wheels to slip and reduce traction. Drivers may feel their wheels slide during acceleration, or lose grip at bends.
The acceleration problem is taken care of by the traction control system. It is not smart to drive in the wrong gear on slippery surfaces or accelerate when your tires are unable to grip the road. You will experience tire spin and loss of power. You may find it easier to climb slippery slopes. The traction control system activates and flashes its lights on the instrument panel. It informs the driver that it’s providing support.
The system uses wheel speed sensors that measure and analyze each car’s rotational speed. This information is transmitted to the electronic control unit (ECU), for processing.
TCS prevents skidding with one or both of these two actions:
The ABS (antilock brake system) is the first option. ABS applies controlled brake pressure to the sliding wheel. ABS releases the brake pressure slowly and intermittently, instead of applying it all at once. This reduces wheel slip, allowing the vehicle to continue safely.
Another method is to use the ECU to limit engine power. This involves electronically controlling the throttle input, fuel flow, ignition timing, and even stopping the cylinders. The ability to limit the power of a slipping wheel will decrease torque and eventually eliminate uncontrolled slippage. This allows the traction control system to effectively control skidding.
To test if the system works properly, you can apply more pressure to the gas onto a slippery surface. This should be done in a private, quiet area.
VSC, ESC and the other systems, also known Electronic Stability Program (ESP), help drivers avoid losing control of their vehicle on slippery surfaces. The working principles are different. TCS will keep your vehicle moving on slippery roads, ABS will assist you in stopping safely, and ESP can help you turn safely.
Why does the Traction Control Light Turn On?
The traction control lamps are responsible for alerting the driver about any malfunctions or operation of the TCS systems. The symbol of this lamp will vary depending on the vehicle’s make and model. A yellow warning lamp is used to signal that the wheels are not following the outline of your vehicle.
The traction control light, unlike other warning lights that flash to let you know the system is functioning properly, usually glows. It turns on when the vehicle’s wheel spins. The traction control light may either blink or stay on when you drive on a road that is covered in snow. This is a sign that the system works perfectly.
If the traction control light blinks or stays on when the surface is dry, it means that there is a problem. Flashing is an indication that the fault isn’t fully resolved, but the system slowly is starting to fail. The system is disabled if it is on constantly. In some vehicles, the warning light and message are displayed on the instrument panel. If this happens, it is important to be cautious when driving your vehicle on slippery roads. You should immediately take your vehicle to a workshop and have the problem fixed.
To determine what caused the traction light to turn on, connect your vehicle to the diagnostic tool. Then look for fault codes. The TCS system can be affected by damage to cables, connector problems, short circuits or other failures.
A malfunctioning wheel speed sensor is often the cause. Dirty or faulty wheel speed sensors cannot accurately detect the wheel’s rotation speed and will send incorrect information to ECU. The TCS light can turn on if the incorrect information is sent to it.
Another reason is the ABS system. The ABS system may also be affected by problems that could disrupt the TCS’s operation and cause the light not to turn on. If this happens, the ABS light and the TCS light will both turn on.
In certain cases, it may be necessary to reprogramme the TCS system. There may also be an issue with the TCS system.
No matter what the cause of the problem may be, you should always check the traction control light. It is best to avoid driving your car on snowy and rainy roads until the issue is addressed. These conditions can make it unsafe to drive your vehicle. The vehicle might lose control when it accelerates or brakes.
