Traction Control Off Button: Mechanic explains what it does and when to turn traction control off

Our expert Ali explains how traction control works, what the Traction Control Off Button does, and when to use it.
Traction control is designed to help prevent wheel spinning so your vehicle can continue moving in a straight direction. How do you know when to turn traction control off?
Ali Mohagheghi is a Toyota master diagnostic technician and shows us how traction control works. He also explains what the traction control off button does. It is sometimes called trac control off button or trac off button.
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[@athenasblueprint]

"there's a light that looks like a car sitting on bacon" 😂😂😂 love this. Thank you Ali!

[@ryans413]

It’s a car with tracks that shows sliding lol

[@Ken-rz9qw]

#SitinonBacon

[@Mr67Stanger]

Finally!! I understand what it is for, how to engage it/turn off, and monitor it on my dials, all in one video. Thank you.

[@Willy12927]

Been driving for close to 60 years and during that time, I have driven in some of the most treacherous winter conditions imaginable, all without traction control. To me, traction control is nothing but a crutch for those who wont take the time or don't really want to learn how to drive in adverse conditions. So the first thing I do whenever driving in snowy conditions is to turn off the traction control and trust my driving skills.

[@NewfiePete]

Willy I have been driving for nearly 50 years and my first experience with traction control was nearly catastrophic, I live in NL, Canada, and knew what I could & couldn't do while driving in winter conditions. On my first traction control vehicle my engine stalled pulling out of an intersection. It was a close encounter and never used it again. We should be able to turn it on, not turn it off!!!

[@danzaokid]

agreeded, traction control off = "normal"..... traction control on = "abnormal". I wish they allow you to set it permanently on or off using a switch rather than default on until you manually turn it off. time to check out the cpu schematics.

[@Willy12927]

Permanently disabling this nuisance would make a wonderful video.@@danzaokid

[@Azureecosse]

good for you , I am Mechanical Engineer of 32 years and in my opinion TC has its uses and its downsides it is a safety feature, not everyone has 60 years of off road driving experience and many people drive high powered modern vehicles not just 4x4s , many road going domestic and off road cars these days can run on 300 to 400 hp on modest size engine displacements many of these cars have Turbo chargers which can overwhelm even the most experienced drivers, Traction control is excellent for normal and high speed driving and save lives, it stops idiots with lead feet going into the scrub or killing other road users, the computer allows each drive wheel to modulate and can pull a wayward vehicle about to break traction into a straight line it also saves lives so your opinion is just that, thankfully its not shared by everyone you need to accept that just because you are old school it does not mean its the correct school of thought you need to move with technology as vehicles get more advanced and powerful.

[@Willy12927]

I respect your thoughts.@@Azureecosse

[@diannedai637]

Best explanation of the toyota traction control

[@albertchang1612]

I like the sounds of freedom in the background from fighter jets. Great vid!

[@honeycheerios9838]

good explaination... now i understand how to use it...

[@NerdyCats3]

who knew? I can have my Tacoma...with Bacon! Thank you for posting this very helpful video regarding when to use traction control.

[@privatepilot4064]

Clear as mud!

[@dewarner12]

This was helpful. Can you explain the difference between pushing the Traction Control button once and putting it into Auto LSD and holding the button 3 seconds to turn Traction Control off? When would it be best to use each? Thanks -

[@rammerron2460]

Awesome video very informative.

[@ram43x80]

Good question about track off

[@MyRadDesign]

Very unclear description. Traction control works by noticing wheel rotation speed differences on the wheels (could be front or rear), and applying braking to the wheel that is spinning faster. It also reduces the engine RPMs. This can help you if you are lightly accelerating on ice or snow and a wheel loses traction and begins to spin rapidly. Counterintuitively, if you are stuck in ice or snow you will want to turn traction control off as you want to be able to spin the wheels a bit to get out and the last thing you want is braking or reduction in engine power. Also if you need to drive long distances on slippery roads, know that if you leave traction control on the vehicle may be applying braking frequently which can cause significant break wear, so it is better to drive slower with traction control off.

[@monoposto2285]

Agree. My experience with my Venza is that if I don't turn off traction control when going up my slippery driveway, the power reduces and I end up going down backwards.

[@jasonruch3529]

WHY WHEN I TURN OFF TC I LOOSE THE FN REAR WHEELS COMPLETELY ON MY 2022 HIGHLANDER???? IM PISSED. IM GONNA UPLOAD THE VIDEO

[@geraldarcuri9307]

Uh, the video presenter does a much better job of explaining this than you do.

[@MrKozanitis]

@@jasonruch3529do you mean loose (loosen) or lose? Very confusing what message you want to convey!

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

I have to unplug my TC from the Brake booster assembly before I go off road. 06 4runner , the later models came with TC off Button.

[@terrywbreedlove]

So when the light is on the traction control is off ?

[@TALKCalgary]

Damn I wish our dealership had guys like this, unfortunately our dealership hires kids who might work for less but haven't got a clue what they are doing.

[@couchpoet1]

You speak da true true

[@jimmy5634]

So, you think this guy is paid well? He’s a retiree working part time because he enjoys it or needs to supplement his SS.

[@craigdeloach3976]

Ok lets say i have my 2009 trd sport in 4 wheel drive. If i turn the traction control off and i have a rear wheel start to spin/lose traction will the ABS system brake that wheel to make the other rear wheel turn? (Im pretty sure I have to be in 4 wheel low as well)

[@RS4393]

What about holding the trac-control off button for 3 to 5 seconds? What mode is that and when would it be beneficial. My 07 tundra has a this option that turns off traction control and the auto limited slip.

[@asif5477]

nice explanation. love your effort.

[@ram43x80]

So auto lsd light should be on all the time?

[@ravenfeather7087]

The traction control button on my 2010 Taco was a mystery to me. Now I at least have a clue. Thanks.

[@rtheprizeisright7323]

god video I wish I would've known before got suck in the snow in my former Toyota C-hr

[@chrispaulick]

I have a 2006 Tacoma. It doesn’t have a button. Does it have traction control and does it have a limited diff ??

[@marcgiroux470]

on my AWD toyota Sienna, if you press and HOLD the traction button you get into an other mode. No one seems to know or describe this additional feature. It appears to force or lock ON AWD. Can someone confirm this feature?

[@robertom883]

Excellent video!!!

[@nanaaa7658]

I have a 2015 tacoma I see sign that says Trac off what do I do

[@jfalconc]

Great video!!! Excellent delivery of information about Traction Control!!! Now I understand the sign of a car sitting on bacon 🥓, thanks Ali!!!

[@johnspinks3656]

Very good, now i went & checked my new knowledge & the Rashers are ready! ha at least we will remember now

[@coloradopackratprepper]

I like bacon!!!!!🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓seriously I just bought a 2021 Nissan versa, living in mountains and 10" of snow ,I already got stuck in my driveway. I got out but with difficulty so I'm learning about this feature!!!!

[@kennethgilbert492]

Traction control does add traction. Today I saw that in action. A woman had run the front of her Rear wheel drive Lexus off of the pavement into a ditch. One of the rear wheels was not even touching the pavement. But we were able to back the car back onto the pavement, since the TC stopped the airborne wheel from spinning freely and though the differential forced some torque to the wheel that was touching the groun.

[@cloudchaser9951]

i have a very steep driveway. There was some snow thats almost frozen with ice around it. my car was having trouble going up to the pavement. I realized traction control was off. I engaged it on. Car went up smooth with just a light press onto the pedal! rav 4 2016 awd.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

Yeah this type is different than what you are describing. Sounds like you're describing what they have on Land Rover and that's what I have on my land rover. It actually does work very well using the ABS system to pretty much do the opposite of what ABS normally would do

[@LewTh3Jew]

On the Tacoma you can take off the auto lsd by holding down the traction off button a few seconds.

[@missybutler26]

Why is my traction flashing service traction and service esc?

[@bipedaltoolmaker]

I always turn it off. Particularly in a high HP vehicle TC can be dangerous. If you do lose traction and slide sideways, when you ease off the throttle the rear swings very abruptly back and often goes across your center to the other side, back and forth rapidly a few times. I have better control of any slide with the TC off.

[@filippusnakwaake9157]

What happened to traction control ,we absorb shocks the front one and the the car its has traction control and abs on display board

[@richardmccombs617]

I have a vsc system error that comes on very infrequently on a 06 sienna. It can cause stability issues when it comes on. Mostly it appears to happen after not driving for a few months and think it may be due to rust on rotors causing bad info to old sensors. That said if I turn traction control off by the button will that total disable the issue? Do I need to pull the abs fuse? Please not this is temp until I can get it to my toyota mechanic.

[@LRM12o8]

Don't do any of these hacky workarounds, use your car as little as possible until you can get it fixed. Not having the time or money is no excuse to drive around in an unsafe vehicle, being a danger to everyone around!

[@dawasf394]

hi, just bought a 2020 OF and to my susrprise, i couldnt locate the traction control button anywhere in the vehicle, it auto diables when in 4LO but keeps intruding when doing serious sand dune offroading in 4HI it keeps cutting the throttle and applying the brakes in critical moments, pls help!!

[@tracysmith9934]

That's what it supposed to do

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

If you drive a Land Rover it does increase traction because one wheel spins and the ABS system slows it down makes the other wheel grab through the open differential. The Toyota guys have something like that it's called A trac but on Land Rover there's no button it's always active and it came out way before the A trac.

[@wild_for_nature9932]

Hi! Could you ask Ali what would be the cause for the traction control light on the DIC to come on and flash just when I turn, regardless of speed and road conditions. This has been going on for about a year. I can slightly feel something happening but I can't really describe it. Once in a while the abs also kicks on along with it. I've taken it to the dealership and multiple mechanics and nobody knows what it is because the light isn't always on so, it isn't throwing a code. It's an 07 Avalanche.

[@jwwalker688]

A Chevrolet dealership? Genuine GM parts only? I can't believe they couldn't say with certainty the problem is. Getting a printout of the engines extremes might rise a brow. It'll show the highest it's been reved, the hottest it's been, and so on. I got a question of my own. Does the light flash without using the turn signal? I have no clue by what you say kicks along with it. Next time the ABS light shows test it yourself by slamming on the brakes see if they lock up, but pull the fuse and reinstall it. That something you feel happening is just your torque converter locking up. Kinda hard to explain but I knew a moron who thought he had an extra gear. It's the red lights you don't want to see. If it's yellow and not affecting the drivablity, it's not an emergency.

[@528Circle]

Sounds like a clear case of the wheel speed sensor gone bad. They go bad regularly. Relatively easy to replace if you are at all mechanically inclined.

[@wild_for_nature9932]

@@528Circle Well, I have a plethora of suspension issues going on with my truck. Things that should have been been picked up on by all the mechanics that I've been to for this.. a few months ago I did replace one of the rear sensors and both rear shocks. The front ones are built into the hub. This week I replaced my bad air ride compressor pump myself. Unfortunately the new one isn't kicking on now so I'm hoping it's just due to one of the ride height sensors rotting off (part came in yesterday) or, something I did wrong. Front strut assemblies are on order and, getting rotted off body mount brackets fabricated next week. Fun times!

[@chuckcecconi4571]

Good morning gentlemen.

[@gregoireansari6651]

Sexy Chucky T

[@richardbravo6173]

So speaking in general, when its not raining or snowing or mud or sand. Do you keep it on or off? Does keeping it off helps with saving gas or etc? Please let us know

[@dadon2544]

Leave it on driving on the freeway, you can turn it off if your stuck stationary, leave it on traveling through a storm. If you turn it off and burn rubber then it will cost gas

[@LRM12o8]

Simple: If you're having trouble to get moving, turn TC/ESP off. Otherwise LEAVE IT THE HELL ON! Especially on snow, sand and mud. The more slippery the road, the more likely you're gonna run into a situation where your car wants to spin out and you would need the help of traction control and ESP to keep your car under control, so always remember to immediately enable the system once you freed yourself from being stuck in the snow/mud or crawled up that hill with it off!

[@davidh.8513]

This is clearer than the guy in the video.@@dadon2544

[@davidh.8513]

This is also a better and simpler answer.@@LRM12o8

[@jglide20]

@@LRM12o8I sometimes forget to turn it off when drag racing! 😁

[@ItsMe-ic7on]

What if you're going down a steep curvy hill with snow and ice would you turn the traction control off then or leave it on?

[@LRM12o8]

Under all circumstances leave it ON! The last thing you wanna do is sliding down a hill with no steering stability! Only turn it off when you can't get out of mud/snow or can't get up a hill.

[@davidh.8513]

THANK YOU!@@LRM12o8

[@Etron49]

Limited slip deferential and traction control are different.Ive had manual transmissions, some with limited slip deferentials ,some with not,hands down the limited slip is the winner.I dont know about automatic transmissions

[@mooandal391]

I dont have that in my old LC 79 truck ?

[@tracysmith9934]

Lol, that was before the Nerds went into overtime

[@patrickjgoupil5245]

Owners manual shows/ is printed for all features of your vehicle - take time to read & understand your vehicle operations

[@anthonyviscusi4042]

When driving on sand should traction control be on or off?

[@anar5895]

Oh wow, so could I actually turn that off while I go through a car wash for turn off the pre collision control for awhile?

[@matthewsoto6027]

What about a slippery boat ramp? Traction control off or on?

[@tracysmith9934]

Off, or you may risk sliding backwards into the lake

[@lachoman5]

What is the function when you hold that button for 15 secs? Appears another thing

[@nenatrujillo72]

When having traction control on, does it use more gas? My vehicle traction was on and seemed like it used wayyy more gas! I have a 2011 Acadia Denali

[@judyturner8861]

Can you save on gas with traction control off

[@at1970]

So what should you have on when you’re driving on an icy freeway?

[@tracysmith9934]

Good tires

[@at1970]

@@tracysmith9934 Wow. Thanks for taking time to answer while you’re preparing for that Nobel prize.

[@RKmndo]

Especially when using mud tires in mud, turn off TCS and let the tires self-clear.

[@JohnMuise]

I turn it off all the time as I like to move forward when I press the gas instead of sitting in one spot while the truck makes weird noises and fails to move.

[@darlenekitchen9809]

My traction control is connected to my cruise why?

[@twopersonswalksalone1968]

Good way to get stuck! Get rid of it!

[@jwwalker688]

Every time I got into my T/A, first I buckle up, then start the engine, then I turn off the traction control. It totally crimps my cruising. Oh, almost forgot...if it's wet out there, traction control stays on.

[@FURDOG1961]

6:40

[@ram43x80]

Dot make sense. The vehicle is already going straight lol.. it increases traction guys..just doesn't make the vehicle goes straight! 😆 🤣 funny video guys. He just said all traction control does it makes it go straight lol

[@sendit1158]

After you turn it off you can hold the button for 3 secs for a second setting, do you not know this?

[@Ranger_k16]

I know theres another mode, but what does it do exactly

[@russellwood8750]

So if I'm driving around on snowy roads should I turn traction control off?

[@alantillman588]

Going up a steep i would

[@tracysmith9934]

No

[@kpd3308]

Sorry, but traction control does give you better traction. It directs engine power to the wheel that is not spinning. Similar idea to a limited slip differential.

[@craigbenz4835]

My 2015 Ram 1500 4WD automatically turns of traction control when shifted into 4wd low.

[@tracysmith9934]

So does my 2011 4wd Ranger, to keep from getting buried

[@redrockitinerant7776]

I generally like more traction when driving on bacon

[@tracysmith9934]

Yes or a banana 🍌

[@comedycafe3262]

When I drive my BMW Z4, I turn off my traction control to turn it into a sports car again.

[@theamazinggoldfish8713]

Does traction control cause worse gas mileage?

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

No. It barely kicks in much

[@dkphill]

Can he make a video on how to turn the radio on 😅

[@tracysmith9934]

Give it a hearty smile ☺

[@WhalerGA]

"Car sitting on bacon" That's hilarious !!

[@ronl2463]

Guess if you can turn a wrench you the qualify as an expert on everything to do with that vehicle including controls!

[@minirunt]

Traction control can be unsafe, especially in front wheeldrives, when trying to accelerating from a standstill where the wheel has to move over a wet street, especially if the street has concrete ranways for water. . In many cases you will find your car stalling just as you pull into oncoming traffic.

[@LRM12o8]

That's bullshit. ESP/TC on is always safer than it off. If you stall your engine, that's NOT the traction control's fault!

[@samsammy6210]

Should have gone a little more. Momentarily press traction control it is just as you have shown. Press and hold and it turns a few more items off. More the merry 😅

[@ronaldbelesina1072]

Fella.. that is Vehicle Stability Control, not Traction Control. VSC cuts throttle when wheelspin is detected (and is why you turn it off off-road especially sand/beach), it forces understeer to make recovery more manageable for the noob majority of Drivers. Traction control will brake the wheel in the air and trasfer power to the one on the ground in an open diff configurations in an off-road scenario, on bitumen this is the last line of defense AFTER VSC because it forces oversteer if it grabs. In most vehicles, you can't actually turn TC off without removing a fuse etc At 6:47 in your video when you point out that "Traction Control is off" in the display.. clearly it says "VSC Turned Off"

[@colestaples2010]

Traction control gets you stuck

[@fido139]

I hate it, always have.

[@phaedrussmith1949]

So, essentially you're probably really never going to need it so don't worry about it.

[@Kenji-ds9rf]

I woukdnt let him diagnose my vehicle.

[@randomthoughts9463]

OMG. Them's some hairy arms dude! I thiought it was a long sleeve mohair shirt at first. Technically, sound advice though thanks.

[@shyrodillasyo]

I dont know wat the heck he just said!! 😅

[@orestino6212]

I didn’t know you press the seat heater to turn of traction Control. I’ll try it next time. Ali must of been walking thru the dealership and they need an actor.

[@LRM12o8]

My old car had the heated seats button right next to the ESP OFF button. Two buttons, same shape, hidden from view behind the steering wheel. One of them you absolutely wanted to press in winter, the other one you ABSOLUTELY DID NOT want to press in winter! 🤣

[@gjmob]

Why is Ali explaining how traction control works. Shouldn't Fred be doing it?

[@todddurkee6461]

Give me a break please

[@tracysmith9934]

An arm or a leg?

[@tombox2759]

A old ford pinto would be able to trek most terrain. All this fancy tech is just details not needed in 99% of all case. Tech for sale jack up the prices - capitalism...

[@zivgolubovic803]

I don’t think this guy has actually used traction control in off road situations.

[@ellissmithjr6599]

I watched 3 1/2 minutes and still didn't understand...keep it off,it only keep vehicle straight?...never turn it on?🤔... After 3 minute I didnt get it so I stopped watching and to write this,I may try to ask a mechanic...

[@--RSL--]

🙄 dig through ice and mud to the hard ground?? 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣. Or just buried your truck..😅😅😅😅 Just stop guys. You don't know what you're talking about. Tc is for traction on the street... Where 99% of all these 4x4 trucks live most of their lives.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

No that is an overpriced Toyota Tacoma. Ridiculous what they want for them. One mortgage is enough.

[@samantastroud7841]

Terrible explanation

[@Notfiveo0]

It’s a good explanation, traction control controls the wheel spin so that the car drives straight instead of the tires pulling your car left or right during acceleration.

[@MacXcode]

If you truly want to understand the honest truth? Get a Subaru! It’ll explain everything as you do a daily drive! If has no “traction control button”, but better! It has “symmetrical AWD”! The real AWD! Not the “FAKE” one like all other.

[@proudveteran4696]

Failure at explanation, guy needs to know what he’s talking about