What is Traction control system?

A traction control system (TCS) is a safety feature in a vehicle that prevents the drive wheels from losing traction on the road surface. It works by monitoring the rotation speed of each wheel and detecting when one or more wheels are spinning faster than the others. This spinning indicates a loss of traction, often occurring when accelerating on a slippery surface like snow, ice, or loose gravel.

When TCS detects wheel spin, it intervenes to restore traction. This intervention usually involves one or more of the following actions:

* Reducing engine power: The system reduces the engine's torque output to limit the power going to the wheels.

* Applying the brakes: The system selectively applies the brakes to individual wheels that are spinning, transferring power to the wheels with better traction.

* Adjusting throttle: In more sophisticated systems, the throttle may be adjusted to prevent excessive acceleration.

The goal is to maintain control of the vehicle and prevent skidding or loss of control, allowing the driver to maintain directional stability and steering input.

While similar to anti-lock braking systems (ABS), TCS focuses on preventing wheel spin during acceleration, whereas ABS focuses on preventing wheel lockup during braking. Some systems combine both ABS and TCS into a single system, often labeled as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). These more comprehensive systems monitor the vehicle's yaw (rotation around its vertical axis) to detect loss of control and intervene more broadly to maintain stability.