Traction control means the system that prevents the wheels from spinning during acceleration. It stops wheel spin by cutting engine power or braking individual wheels so you can get moving without the tires losing grip.
It works alongside the StabiliTrak system on GM vehicles — both use the same wheel speed sensors and can apply individual wheel brakes, but traction control responds when the wheels spin during acceleration.
It activates when you are trying to get moving on slippery surfaces like snow or ice. On a slippery surface, it limits the acceleration of the rear wheels by limiting engine power or by braking at each of the rear wheels.
What Is Traction Control
Traction control stops wheel spin during acceleration. It works on the principle of limiting the amount of acceleration of the wheels. When the tires start to spin, the system cuts engine power or brakes individual wheels to help the tires regain grip and keep the vehicle moving.
How Traction Control Works
Traction control uses the vehicle’s wheel speed sensors to monitor how fast each wheel is rotating. When the system detects that the wheels are spinning faster than they should for the surface, it reduces engine power or applies the brakes to individual wheels to stop the spin.
The system limits the acceleration of the rear wheels by limiting engine power or by braking at each of the rear wheels. This prevents the tires from losing grip on a slippery surface and lets you get moving.
