Conquering winter with modern cars can be tricky, especially if they are equipped with traction control. You need to be prepared for various snowy conditions, and you have to study your vehicle’s owner’s manual as well. But why?
Well, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Problems can easily arise in a split second on slippery surfaces. For that reason, knowing how your car will behave and what you can do to ensure better traction is important.
Yet, this process includes something that may seem to be controversial – the traction control system.
More precisely, when you need to turn the traction control OFF in winter weather conditions.
When it comes to modern vehicles, traction control is a gift from the heavens, but sadly it can cause more harm in winter situations. In some winter conditions, when the traction control kicks in, it will just create issues instead of helping you.
For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you know how to control and when to turn off this standard safety feature.
What is the Traction Control System?
Traction control systems are standard safety features which are a requirement on vehicles sold in the US since 2012. In other words, unless you own an older model, your car will most likely have this feature.
The traction control prevents the winter tires from losing traction when performing in slippery conditions. They work to maintain the traction between the snow tires and the road surface in inclement weather situations.
This feature limits wheel spin while the tires are in motion. This increases the contact between the tire and the road, allowing it to regain traction in ice- and snow-covered roads.
Now, let’s discuss what traction control is not.
It is not the same as a limited-slip differential. The limited-slip differential mechanically limits the wheel spin when weather conditions cause the tire to lose traction. This feature was popular on high performance cars, as they offer better and more energetic takeoffs by keeping the tires planted in place. This mimics the phenomenon of the tires being stuck in the snow.
Therefore, the traction control does not perform in the same manner. The first electronic versions used to be stand-alone. However, the requirement to have them in modern vehicles has caused them to be merged with the stability control system.
The difference between the stability control and the slip differential is that the first one prevents wheel slip even in turns, and not just from a stop. The stability control systems work with anti-lock brakes when their sensors detect wheel slip. When this happens they reduce the power to the drive wheels, but they do nothing else.
How the Traction Control Works
It goes without saying, traction control saves lives in slippery conditions. It reduces engine power to optimize the wheel spin when performing, which allows the winter tires to regain traction.
But how is this achieved?
Cars with traction control feature an engine control module, which is basically a computer. This control module manages to calculate what is happening on the outside and reacts in the manner it was programmed. In other words, when it detects the slipping and spinning wheels, it will cut power to control the vehicle’s speed – bringing it to safer and more controllable performance.
In most cases, this works flawlessly. The computer reduces power to optimize the car moving in good weather situations in winter or on wet roads. It lowers the engine power to decrease the speed slightly, moving forward the car out of dangerous situations. Again, this feature can save lives.
Problem With the Traction Control Systems
So, if traction control is such a neat tool, what’s the issue?
Well, not everything will go according to plan, especially when driving in deep snow, on a steep snowy hill, or in slippery conditions where you can lose traction or get stuck. For this reason, there are two instances when turning off the traction control is the better idea:
- Driving on a long, steep, or slippery hill
- When the vehicle is stuck
Turning off the Traction Control on Steep Hills and Slippery Surfaces
When driving on country roads, a steep hill, or icy roads, the traction control can overreact. This is caused as these roads typically have steeper inclines than highways do, which will cause the control system to stop the car altogether. Unfortunately, this is a side-effect of its programming.
So, how will the system cause you to lose control over the car in such instances?
Well, during the drive, wheel slip is detected which causes the control module to decrease engine power. However, hills and inclines are long and slippery, which triggers the control module recurrently, which causes it to slow the vehicle down more and more.
Scientifically speaking, to overcome gravity the car will need more power. Since the control module slows the driving speed down more and more, the vehicle will not be able to climb the incline. In a worst-case scenario, this will cause the car to drift backward after stopping.
Turn the traction control off to regain the lost traction on hillsides. You will need good quality winter tires, sometimes even tire chains, to be able to conquer such winter roads. They can prove to be too much for some cars, especially when they are not plowed, drifted over, or are packed hard.
Turning off the Traction Control when the Car is Stuck in Snow
Learning how the control module and traction control work will save you from headaches if your vehicle gets stuck in deep snow. Winter driving can be dangerous on its own, and safety features overworking can just cause more problems.
To prevent this, traction control should be off when trying to get the car unstuck from snow. While driving in bad weather conditions, on dry pavement this system will be helpful, but when the tires and wheels need to spin (in order to get out of the snowbank), it will just hinder the process.
Turning on the traction control when the wheels have lost traction will result in zero effect. Even when just one wheel is causing the problem, the traction and stability control systems will not help the car climb out of the snowbank.
The problem is the computer’s reaction to the wheels spinning. It will reduce power and apply the brakes, which can lead to the tires not turning at all. While the wheels spinning makes the tires lose traction, unfortunately, they will need to spin in order to catch traction.
By turning the traction control off, you will be able to use the rocking method to get free of the snow. The rocking method requires the car to move farther forward a bit before lightly hitting the brakes, then to the same in reverse. The back and forth movement and the slight braking will help you pull free by generating the necessary traction for the tires.
How To Turn Traction Control System Off
The most important question is: How can you turn the traction control off in your new car?
Unfortunately, it greatly varies from vehicle to vehicle. Still, in most cases, it will automatically turn on when the car is started. To switch it off, you will need to push and often hold a button for a few seconds or to choose the required command from an electronic menu on the instrument panel display.
It is possible, that you will need to turn off the entire stability control system. This feature can be found as Vehicle Dynamic Control, Vehicle Stability System, Vehicle Stability Control, Vehicle Control System, Electronic Stability Control, or the initials for any of those terms, depending on the vehicle.
A good rule is to always check the owner’s manual. You can also search for it online for it, just be sure to do it in advance and be prepared for the bad weather.
Tips for Getting Unstuck
If you have the unfortunate experience of having an accident in winter conditions, and your car gets stuck, there are a few things you can do to help the situation. Most importantly you need to be prepared for such situations.
No need to walk to one of the nearest gas stations, just see our separate blog for general tips on being prepared and getting unstuck in wintertime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it Better to Turn Off Traction Control in Snow?
Yes, it is better to turn off traction control in snow. This system prevents wheelspin, which will give you better control over the car in winter. Turning off the traction control is useful when the car is stuck in snow, as it will just dig the tires into the snowbank even more and will cause more trouble.
Should I Turn Off Traction Control with Chains?
Usually, you should turn off the traction control when snow chains are on the tires. However, it is best to check your car’s owner’s manual. Still, you will need to be cautious when driving, avoiding sudden braking and maneuvering to ensure a safer winter weather performance.
What is the Anti-lock Braking System?
The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is a safety system which prevents the wheels from locking during their emergency or sudden braking. This system gives more control over the car to the driver, keeping the steering and stability optimized even on slippery surface conditions.
