What Is Traction Control and How Does It Work
Driving in harsh weather can be challenging without the proper equipment. From tires to onboard systems, there are certain things that can help you feel safer driving, traction control being one of them. This electronic system is an accessory that has become a necessity for all passenger vehicles over the past decade.
The traction control icon is often displayed on your dashboard as a car with two lines running down it. Explaining the importance of traction control and the various stability systems, here’s how they work and why they’re important on all vehicles.
What is traction control?
Traction control is a dedicated system created in 1985 to help drivers stay on the road. This system uses signals from your wheel speed sensors to detect variations in wheel speed. Once the engine control unit senses that the wheel is spinning faster than its counterparts, it will automatically reduce the wheel speed. Traction control proves essential in preventing drivers from losing control of their vehicles.
As such, traction control became a requirement for passenger vehicles after 2012. If you own a new car, chances are, it’s probably equipped with it. This system is especially helpful when traction is not readily available under hard acceleration.
This is not the fault of the traction control with ESP (Electronic Stability Program) or ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). Although they serve similar purposes and functions using similar components, each unit specializes in different driving applications.
Both ESP and ABS systems greatly reduce the likelihood of your wheels locking up, although ESP systems are more finely sophisticated in their capabilities. While ESP can act in a similar way to traction control, it doesn’t do the other way around. ESP is also commonly known as ESC, which stands for Electronic Stability Control.
How does traction control work?
Although it fulfills the same responsibilities as an ABS system, traction control is triggered using different sensors. Traction control uses your vehicle’s speed sensors (VSS), which are responsible for sensing variations in wheel speed and outputting a signal to your speedometer.
Once the ECU establishes the loss of traction, it takes over control and does whatever is necessary to keep the car upright. Information processed in the ECU initiates automatic braking via the automatic traction control valve using the onboard ABS.
Traction control and ABS are two different systems that are not interchangeable. While both provide greater protection to the driver, each system deals with different driving conditions, making each system just as important as the other.
Why is traction control important?
Traction control is essential in inclement weather, as traction is not always available. Helping even the most experienced drivers, having access to the facility will reduce your risk of hydroplaning and/or skidding off the road. Even with the best stability systems, a good tire tread remains a priority because it is the connecting barrier between your car and the road.
In the rare case that you want to point your car sideways, turning off traction control will allow the driver to slide the car at will. The power generated from the engine will be transferred equally to each wheel. If pulled off properly, some serious maneuvering can be done, though it requires an incredible amount of skill and shouldn’t be attempted on public roads.
Safety systems are important for the safety of the driver
With the help of research and technological advancements, automotive manufacturers strive to protect their customers. With the combination of anti-lock braking system and traction control, there has been a drastic reduction in passenger accidents, which further justifies the need for these stability systems. However, despite all the advances in safety technology, regular tire changes and lack of alignment can compromise the systems onboard.
You were driving on an expressway when something suddenly came in your way, you hit the brakes immediately and within seconds your vehicle came to a halt.
Even though your reflexes were hard at work in this situation, you should know that without the Antilock Braking System (ABS), you would lose control of your car.
So, what is ABS, and how does it enable drivers to control their vehicles in an emergency? Let’s talk about ABS and how it works.
What is ABS and why is it needed?
Short for Antilock Braking System, ABS is a braking technology that prevents your tires from locking up during emergency braking.
Invented by Mario Palazetti in 1971, antilock braking systems are an older safety standard compared to newer automated vehicle safety technologies, but according to a US Department of Transportation study of crashes between 1995 and 2007, ABS is projected to reduce non-fatal fatalities. I went. Six percent of accidents in cars.