What Traction Control Button Does & When to Turn it Off!
2024 ж. 14 Мам.
760 343 Рет қаралды
Christina & Jeff uncover the truth about your car's traction control button. Why you would push "traction control off". We mix in some fun demos to show how traction control works.
You will also find reviews on all brands...thorough and fun...for normal, regular people like you and me.
The objective of AutoJeff Reviews is to give you as much information as possible about these incredible vehicles. I try to put my sometimes quirky and funny spin on things with my pop culture references.
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The best Traction Control explanation ever. I am one of those people that benefitted from Jeff's demonstration going uphill. Thanks for thinking of us. Much appreciated.
I am an older driver that knows how to use the gas pedal to control slippage, but you have to pay attention to what your drive wheels are doing in icy or snowy conditions.
I'm the same as you,and live in a cold climate where there's snow. Thru my life I always pumped the brakes moderately, and adjusted how much gas to give the car. I don't like the traction control at all, because it interferes with how I've driven in snowy or icy conditions. I always turn it off. I just don't like it. Foe those who are scared to drive in these conditions, I think it would be great. A lot of women would like this feature, in my opinion. I just don't like the "system" automatically pumping my brakes when I've already started to do it manually.
I was going up on a very shallow, but iced-over incline coming out of a parking lot. Having to stop at the top to check for traffic, my vehicle was simply unable to pull out on the road...my front-wheel drive just kept slipping. Cars were coming up behind me, but I was simply not going anywhere, and the front wheels were just spinning. When the vehicles behind me came around me and clear out, I got thought, "Well, lets try it," and turned off my traction control. Lo and behold, my vehicle moved forward without any issue and I got onto the road...totally surprised me: the traction control was working against me.
Right it does the opposite of what it's supposed to do for me too. My car has always slipped really bad in wet weather. When I finally started pushing on that traction control button and turning the traction OFF THATS when my car finally stopped slipping. So I always turn it off now. PLUS I noticed I stopped losing air in my tires everyday finally just from going over any little bump or dip in the road... with that default traction control button turned off. It's worst for me so I keep it off all of the time now
I aways thought it was a warning that there are 2 snakes behind me 😮
I'll check the owner manual. You might be right!
🤣🤣🤣
@@AutoJeffReviewsGreat video. Nice explanation and fun to listen to, thanks.
@@jacoblagergren7658 you bet!!
If in doubt.....max the pedal out! 😂
The Toyota salesman did not know what the traction control did. Good information learned from your presentation
thanks we appreciate it!
Wow. Thank you both for the explanation! I have a very hard time going up the steep hill to my house when there's ice or snow. I got stuck several times
It’s important to know how your traction control works as they’re different per manufacturer, and to know how invasive they are. It makes a difference in how it’ll help you in various situations. The C5, maybe even the C4, Corvette had a great traction/launch control that could get a novice driver to do perfectly 1/4 miles runs. My E46 M3’s system hinders it drastically by cutting engine power for a few seconds where the pedal basically goes dead to my inputs…that has caused some scares when pulling out into traffic where getting on the throttle and accelerating moderately is key, but when my tires slipped on some water or gravel (or this time I had not very grippy tires) traction control kicked in and I made less than ideal progress and pissed off a few drivers. My system works great in snow with proper tires though. The Mercedes ML320 in the 90’s had a good system of AWD that applied braking power to a slipping wheel to transfer power other wheels, that’s a system you’d leave on for that hill example.
Good video! This happened to me where I got stuck in the snow with my 2017 Altima and trying to get out of the snow didn't work since the power was cut from the wheels; turned TC off and I was able to rock back and forth out of the spot. It was a one time deal but saved me from a tow :)
Since the power was cut to the wheels ? WTF
@@jeffersonjcoat the tires didn't spin as much with tc on. Turning it off slowed the wheels to spin more thus pptoviding more traction.
Thank you guys for explaining that I had no idea about that button but now you made it very clear to me on how to use it. Have a wonderful day and thank you for the tip.🤩👍🏼
glad we could do a good job and that you liked it
Well, well, well... so that's what happened to me. Had a truly horrible experience on a long, steep incline road during a sudden snowstorm 5 years ago. Car just kept slipping backwards down the hill and I was too far up to let it slide all the way back down. I fought it for almost 10 minutes before getting to the top. If I had only known. I suspected something when I noticed how much my car hates the ECT button on my own driveway at home - that's why I watched this video! Well, thank you now.
Thanks you so much for making this video!! In November I purchased a used 2021 Renegade (27k miles) with a 1.4 (4 cyl) that is automatic. If you move the transmission lever to the left it has 1 & 2 on it) This past week in Iowa we had 3 major snow storms. I had trouble in the 'snow' 4WD drive mode as I couldn't get started in my own driveway!! I tried the Auto 4WD and Snow 4WD with the tires spinning and basically I had to rock it back and forth and I finally got out. The traction control was on. I realize some of it could also be the kind of tires that is on it. IMO the 'electronic' 4WD systems have ruined the mechanical 4WD. I had a 2006 Jeep Liberty with a 3.7 V6 and 17 inch tires. The 4WD mechanical lever in the vehicle had 4 Hi and 4 Lo and I could go anywhere with it!! After this past week I was missing my Liberty and regretting getting my Renegade BUT I will try your suggestion!! Thanks, Duane
glad to help!
I don't even listen to what you say. I just watch and it makes me feel real good for the day.
Jeff’s demo on the hill was brilliant. Nicely done!
Haha it seemed appropriate
Always love the bloopers 😂.. you 2 are awesome 👏👍🏼
Thanks haha
We have fun filming lol
In some vehicles, pushing that button, and seeing the indicator on the dashboard is no guarantee that the system is actually disabled. I was instructed to park a trailer in a yard area that was very soggy, and the 4X4 RAM 3500 began spinning the wheels. Even after unhooking the trailer and shutting off the TC, I could feel the system interfering with my efforts to get out of the muddy, deepening tire tracks. I referred to the manual and pulled the fuse which protects the system. The truck drove out almost immediately. Sometimes engineers are tricky; they only let you *think* that you have control, but they're still involved.
My wife has a Subaru Outback with single stage Xmode, which causes the front wheels and the rear wheels to work together. Kind of like a posi traction rear end . In a Subaru stage 1, is called Snow and Dirt mode. It’s great for pulling away from a light on lightly snow covered roads or if it’s patchy snow, ice and pavement. I have Dual Xmode on my Subaru Forester Touring. The Fist stage ; snow and dirt responds just like her Outback, but stage 2 in my Forester is for Deep Snow and Mud. This program takes the traction control Off, allowing each wheel to spin faster independently. And yes having the traction control off is a blast for cutting donuts in a large parking lot covered in snow and ice.
This is why Subaru’s overall chassis and steering system is superior in the market today. Not even mentioning the numerous superior safety features.
@@jamied9782 Exactly
Thank-you, for an excellent explanation. I don't plan on ever being stuck, going up a steep slippery hill, or making donuts, but it's good to know! 😄
this was awesome--I've always wondered about this issue, and now I know. Snow banks, steep uphills--easy to remember. Donuts in a snowy parking lot sounds like fun, unless under the snow there are parking blocks at the end of each parking space. Probably not a good to hit those when doing donuts! In thinking about this further, I think I'd rather just have a doughnut, as I'll be 62 in May so I don't have that many more years to enjoy a doughnut now and then . . .
Go get you a doughnut!! You deserve it ☺️
I really want to send you a doughnut now haha
I understood that you need the Traction control on in the snow and the light being on indicated that this feature is on
First time seeing either of you and you were both great separately and especially as a team. Not only was if useful information but your interactions and the cut of the video made out fun and enjoyable to watch
Thanks so much for following. I’m glad you liked it. We like to have fun on the channel.
I have owned a lot of toyotas over the years and love them. I never had a bright, beautiful young lady demo the options though...TY TY 😇🥰
nailed it!
Still haven't / really don't understand yet what it does?
I drove a 1987 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight for decades, and my uncle drove a 1988 Ninety Eight and his had Anti Lock breaks which was a new feature at the time only on some luxury vehicles at the time. And he didn’t know what it mean’t until he heard it kick in on an icy road one winter drive in the late 80’s.
Thanks, you made it clear when to turn it off!
My last car was in an AWD 06 Honda Element that did not have traction control. My current car is a 2023 Subaru Forester that does have a traction control button. I don't anticipate needing to turn it off very often with the Forester but it's nice to know that I can if I need to.
I now know what that feature does. Thank you!
Thank you that was a big help for I've owned a Jeep for a year, my first jeep and I had no idea what that button was for. Thank you, now I'm an expert.
I'm always so excited about these add ons like traction control, terrain modes, auto cruise control, auto brakes etc...until I realise that I'm not a lazy driver and actually enjoy "driving" and having control of my vehicle. Once you gain a bit of experience, you're able to control the vehicle using the basics...like brakes, accelerator, and gears and actually have fun doing so. These are all gimmicks. Good solid and fun explanation of traction control, though, so thanks for that:)
Simple, easy explanation. Thank you.
This is quite a change as Jeff is usually the one pushing our buttons 😃
Hahaha, good one!
@@mommynova- 😉
Nice job Hoggy!
@@AutoJeffReviews 😁
🇧🇬👍
LOVE the simulations!!! i learned a lot too
On my 2011 Chevy sedan, if I press the button it works the same as you presented. If I hold it for 8 seconds, it will also defeat the ESC - electronic stability control - which helps to maintain the predicted (calculated) path of the vehicle.
I definitely want to push Christina’s fun button!
There's always one. 😆
Never turn off the Traction control button.
The button is confusing as hell no one tells you that the traction control which supposedly keeps the tires from slipping is actually ON by default on the car so pushing that button will TURN IT OFF. Not like every other button does. Any other button in the world turns the action you want on when you first push it. So I thought it was turning my traction on when i pushed it and the orange light lit up. Even though the word OFF is clearly on it. I couldnt understand why something would be off while lit up. Also when I push it THATS when my traction gets better in rainy weather. When i push it again and the light goes off my car immediately starts slipping in wet weather. So its confusing as hell
Amen to that. It’s 100% counter intuitive.
In a bmw if you keep the traction control pressed for about 30s , it will not only disable traction control completely but also turn off the ABS. This is useful if the ABS sensor is damaged and the car goes into limited power mode. It happened to me and BMW told me to do this so that I could get to their workshop.
I have a question...my dad is 93 and is still driving. He has 2011 Chrysler nitro and this morning his control traction light came on. I pushed the off button first thing but the light remained on. In addition, his ABS light is on. Are they connected? He's 93 and not inclined to do anything because the only mechanic he ever had passed away a few years back. He only drives once in a while for about six miles or less at a time. I would appreciate some information about how serious this may or may not be so I have enough information to convince him and so I can be informed enough to speak with a mechanic. I am a 72 year old woman and I'm concerned about being taken advantage of? I would appreciate your input if have the time. Thank you. Chris
It is connected to your ABS. When something goes wrong with your ABS it will come on. Don't worry it will still stop. Your brakes are now like a 1970's car. Remember when you had to pump your brake pedal on ice and snow.
I drive an off road rated 4X4 - 3 ton truck. I turn off the traction control and use the 4X4 wheel lock when going in to deep snow to park or get out of a parking spot. The truck has deep thread high traction snow/mud tires. I have no issues with snow and off road conditions. I can park on streets in winter where normal cars cannot park. I make my own parking place in the the snow. If to get stuck with this truck I would have to do something stupid or try to get stuck.
I don't like traction control,and live in a cold climate where there's snow. Thru my life I always pumped the brakes moderately, and adjusted how much gas to give the car. I don't like the traction control at all, because it interferes with how I've driven in snowy or icy conditions. I always turn it off. I just don't like it. For those who are scared to drive in these conditions, I think it would be great. A lot of women would like this feature, in my opinion. I just don't like the "system" automatically pumping my brakes when I've already started to do it manually.
Traction control on a high performance car also wears out your tires a lot faster (unless you're intentionally burning out all the time...). Turn it on when road conditions are not optimal to help with control but in good conditions leave it off so your tires last longer.
i gave this a like you guys are too funny the snowless snow bank and the carless hill climb are hilarious
lol thanks so much glad you liked!!
Thank you so much for the information.
I knew how traction control worked. I watched the video just to see Christina. 😂
I learned this from my mom if you are driving in snow going up And down hills put your car in a lower gear works best on roads where traffic is not driving crazy
Back in the 90's (before most vehicles had traction contro) I used my brakes to add pressure to the pads. Not near as good or as efficient as traction control but the concept was sound back then.
Best explanation I’ve heard, thanks.
Awesome, thank you!
so, for everyday driving in good wx and on no issue roads is it better to leave it on or turn it off??? 🤠
nice explaination and funny too. Again very true.
That Camry is gorgeous. If I could affored to buy a third Toyota, I'd be looking to get that one. And 4 Runner. And a Tacoma. Maybe not in that order.
Wow how to decide what first
Thank you...enjoyed the video...good job.
learned somethng new today - thanks guys
Thank you from a 2017 Highlander user.
Great vid .but drive up here in Saskatchewan 🇨🇦 in -50 in the winter or freezing 🥶 rain
In my friend's old truck, the traction control button was within arms reach of the passenger seat. I would occasionally turn it off. (Don't worry, road conditions were good.) The orange light would illuminate and my friend had no idea what the heck it meant. He was afraid to drive with the light on because he was afraid it would damage his vehicle. So he would pull over, shut his truck off, and restart it, which would reset it and turn the light off. To this day he had no idea it was me doing that, nor did he figure out all he had to do was press that button to turn it back on again.
😂😂
This video confuses me because it contradicts everything the new car salesman told me regarding the traction control feature in my 2017 Subaru Legacy. Being unfamiliar with a traction control feature, I asked the salesman when I should and should not engage the traction control feature. He explained to me as follows in the next two paragraphs: While driving on paved or hard-packed gravel roads in any weather, I should leave the traction control disengaged as that would allow Subaru's computerized symmetrical intelligent all-wheel drive software to control slippage and maintain better control of the vehicle by automatically applying more power to the wheels that need it and less power to the wheels that don't. But while driving in deep mud, live sand, or trying to get out of a ditch or climb an unusually steep grade that is slippery, then I should engage the traction control feature as that would allow the engine, the transmission, and the differential to work together by applying raw gripping power to all the wheels equally for better traction, and once the vehicle has returned to normal driving conditions, then I should disengage the traction control and allow the intelligent symmetrical all-wheel drive system to take over again for best on-road control. So, since I purchased this vehicle brand new off the lot in January 2017, I have never used the traction control feature because I have never found myself in a situation like any of the ones described above. My 2017 Subaru Legacy has always performed flawlessly in our erratic New Hampshire winter weather, with the traction control feature always disengaged. This KZhead video has caused some confusion for me, and I seek more information from my dealership. Someone is misinformed and disseminating misleading and potentially dangerous information to the public. I need to know who is right and who is wrong.
Don’t be confused sir, as you’re learning about a traction control system in this video that is inferior to the one in your Subaru. Your Subaru salesman told you correctly.
Subaru has one of the best and systems.
Good demo Jeff
Thanks!!
I been using that on my chevy Equinox especially on the wet climate
Hey thanks for putting this up! Great information I've been procrastinating to finding out what traction control is and you have a video on it. Thanks again!
That's the beauty of KZhead :)
Very interesting thank you both.
I keep forgetting to turn my Traction Control off when I've done doughnuts in a snowy parking lot but it seems just fine with it on. However it might be bad for the brakes when purposely trying to loose traction ...so next time we get snow I'll have to try turning it off
Thanks for the info.
Does it just lock the differential? If so - it can be used only in slippery conditions to avoid any damage/wear.
I never use it, much rather drive myself, in fact when you learn how to drive in slippery conditions it can actually be fun. 😁
What do you select when you are parked uphill, the road is wet and the wheels are spinning when you are trying to leave?
Winter is the time to turn it off if your traction control activities at 110 kph on ice, you will be rolling in the ditch. That's a great piece of safety equipment. It happens all the time in Canada
Well explained 👏 😊❤
Just bought a 2008 Lexus Is350. The check engine light stays on and it automatically cuts traction control when it’s. Unfortunately for me I was driving in the rain and I spun out and smacked into a brick wall :/ I wish i could’ve had it on.
I’ve test drove the new 2024 CX-5, and all who have found the steering to be heavily weighted to steer. I have the perfect solution, Turn OFF the traction control. Now you can use 1 finger to drive your car in tight places. This is also true for my 2019 CX-3. The TCS will always revert to on when the car is turned off. So for easy steering just turn it Off again.
Thanks for the video, but I'm still a bit confused. First, I have never "touched" the traction control button since I bought my car some 5 years ag, but just 2 days ago when breaking on icy road while going 30 mph I noticed that light come on as the car slowed down while vibrating to a stop. BTW, it a 6 speed manual. I suppose it means it's set to the "on" position.
Could it automatically engage itself in critical situations? Check in your car's manual; usually this type of thing is discussed there.
Turn it off when you need to make an aggressive move on dry pavement. In my wife's Audi I was trying to get out of an uphill driveway and merge onto a curved highway with limited visibility of oncoming traffic. I had to be quick about it. Unfortunately, and obviously, the traction control kicked in and the car simply wouldn't accelerate once I had gotten onto the highway. Traffic caught up with me. Fortunately they didn't honk or anything. I don't know if a wheel left the ground causing it to kick in (as there was a hump as well), the fact that I was driving uphill, or what.
I am still confused, what conditions you want it off vs at what other conditions you want them ON? If I understood it correct, you do want it OFF when you want to move around smoothly in up hills. Does it help provide more grip during slippery conditions like snow or rain? I am lost.
It's great for those who take no pride in having skills, like most people on the road. I can control my truck like it's an extension of my body, so It is always off in my truck! Traction control is useless for me, and when I first got my vehicle, it almost forced me into accidents by interrupting my driving. Also, in Tacoma's, you must hold the traction control for a few seconds to fully disable it!
Well how do you turn it back on? Does it turn on automatically if you start the car?
You can also press and hold it to disable stability control and collision braking. Useful for weaving in and out of traffic unsafely. lol.
I have the traction control on as it really don't benefit my needs. A well explained video it is!! I can say for the price of the TRD it don't have digital custer and is 15 years behind in tech! I did take the Sonata N Line over the TRD due to the over the top tech it has.inside it!
I have a Chevy Spark 2014 it’s work great on the snow and water
I like the buttons right there where you're gonna dump your drink into them
Are the BREAKS activated by what method?
I have a 2010 mitsubishi lancer, and my light is showing abs needs service, and that the asc is off. I couldn't reset it. It only lights up when driving. A week ago, a was cut off on the road, and I hit a pothole, and my brakes locked up and slid down the road.
You are both very nice. Thank you for this video, although it would have been better if you had waited for the winter and actually shown us how to use the traction control, rather than Christina telling us over and over imagine a snowy day ... 😄
Good job!
Thanks. 👍 Traction ON - Minimize Fishtailing on wet roads and conditions, or minimize spinning wheels by applying brakes or reducing engine power to spinning wheels Traction OFF - Help you get unstuck in snow, embankment, or hill; or if you want to do “donuts” By default, leave the traction button ON.
When go down hill track control should be on or off?
I'm still not sure in what conditions it needs to be turned on. I live in an area with no snow and only rain during winter. I'm suspecting it's just better to have it on all the time...
very helpful ❤
Thank you!
It SUCKS. When you are heading to a ditch with your wheels pointed away from the ditch, trying to spin the tires to get you back on the road, the engine power dies and you go right into the ditch. Turn this OFF.
Here's the rule of thumb I use: 1. Traction control is to keep a car controllable in a skid. For safety, leave it on unless you have a reason not to. 2. If I'm doing something that involves going SLOW(ish) and I EXPECT skidding, turn it off. Examples: Off-roading, sand and mud, climbing a slippery incline, getting unstuck.
So if I'm using ramps to do an oil change I should put it in 1st with traction control off?
ive had it for three years on my new car, and never know what it was. thanks.
best video on trac control ever😻
that's a huge compliment!
Good tips for everyone.
2024 camry here. Does traction control turn back on automatically?
Hey Jeff, would it be asking too much to post a link to Christina's channel? 🤔
youtube.com/@ChristinaBanksToyota?si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
It’s a new channel so not much content yet
@@AutoJeffReviews Let us know when you perform the 'guest star ' duties over there 😉
Well done
My older brother bought a brand new Subaru with traction control a while back. When he started explaining what it did I looked at him like he was crazy. I grew up knowing about cars, but I hadn't worked on a new car in a while. I assumed the traction control button just engaged the limited slip differential in the front. Had no idea that it engaged the antilock brakes independently on the slipping wheel. Nice theory, but they generally don't work very well in the real world. I call them 'poor man's posi'..
Can you engage or disengage while the car is moving?
Yes
She is very good teacher ❤
The nitro has 96000 miles on it if that helps.
Does traction control automatically come back on?
They used to call it Postreaction. When I turn it on my 2003 Corvette it seems like it crouches down and hugs the road better in the turns. I usually leave it off my car is low enough already and I rarely corner sharply. To me it probably gets better gas mileage and less wear on my brakes and differential. I watch these Teslas go by all the time and I think they could have had a V8 and a six speed manual transmission. It is so much more fun and if they are two years old I would probably beat them anyway.
in lsd vehicles you can hold it and it will allow you to do burnouts
I had a frightening experience pulling out of a farm gravel driveway onto a highway with limited vision both ways. When a gap in the traffic occurred , I put my foot on the accelerator, the front of the car moved onto the highway then the the rear wheels stopped turning and the engine hesitated, not knowing what had happened, I was able to reverse back, just in time to prevent an accident. Then I realised it was the traction control preventing me from accelerating onto the highway, Turning it off gave me full control moving forward, even if I left a spray of gravel behind me.
Good idea read owner Manual of your car
Thank you!