Why Traction Control Isn't your Friend: How to Turn it off

Written by Thomas Nielsen

February 24, 2023

Traction control seems like a wonder technology for those who use it on regular roads. However, there are some significant downsides for 4x4 enthusiasts.

This post explains what traction control is, why it isn't your friend, and how to turn it off.

What Is Traction Control?

Traction control is a computer-controlled system that helps vehicles maintain their grip on slippery surfaces. Vehicles must be equipped with traction control for these features to be present.

Special sensors detect when the off-roader is about to lose grip by monitoring each tire's grip and wheel speed, and feed this information to a central computer. Traction control systems work by linking a computer controller with wheel speed sensors to monitor wheel spin. When the system detects that one wheel is spinning too quickly, it can reduce power to that wheel or apply the brakes to regain traction. This process helps maintain optimal traction and control, especially when tires encounter slippery or uneven terrain.

Modern manufacturers design traction control to work with other vehicle safety systems, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and vehicle dynamics control. Together, these systems aim to make off-roaders more accessible to average drivers.

How Stability Control Works

Stability control—often called electronic stability control (ESC) or electronic stability program (ESP)—is a crucial safety feature that works hand-in-hand with your vehicle’s traction control system. While traction control focuses on preventing wheel spin, stability control is all about keeping your vehicle pointed in the right direction, especially when things get slippery or unpredictable.

The stability control system uses a network of sensors to keep tabs on your vehicle’s every move. Wheel speed sensors, acceleration sensors, and steering wheel sensors constantly monitor how your car is behaving. If the system detects that your vehicle is starting to slide off its intended path—say, the rear wheels begin to slip out on a patch of ice or loose gravel—it jumps into action.

Here’s how it works: If you’re taking a corner and the system senses understeer or oversteer, it can apply braking to one or more wheels individually. For example, if the rear of your vehicle starts to swing out on a muddy trail, stability control might apply the brakes to just the rear wheels to help you maintain your line and stay on track. At the same time, it can reduce engine power, making it easier to regain traction and avoid spinning out, especially when driving slowly on deep snow or loose surfaces.

This smart intervention is especially valuable on slippery surfaces like snow, gravel, or mud, where maintaining control is critical. By automatically adjusting braking and engine power, the stability control system helps drivers correct their course and keep the vehicle stable, even when conditions are less than ideal.

There are times, however, when you might want to turn off stability control—such as when off road, tackling deep snow, or powering through mud. Disabling stability control can give you more freedom to let the wheels spin and maintain momentum, which is sometimes necessary to get unstuck or conquer tough terrain. Just remember, turning off stability control is best left to experienced drivers who understand the risks and know how to handle their vehicle without electronic assistance.

In short, stability control is a powerful ally for keeping your vehicle under control on all kinds of surfaces. By understanding how this system works and when to use—or disable—it, you can make smarter decisions behind the wheel, whether you’re navigating icy roads, loose gravel, or challenging off-road tracks.

Why Traction Control Is Not Your Friend

Logic would dictate that you should leave traction control switched on when your off-road vehicle gets stuck. After all, you want the extra grip to pull your 4x4 out of a sticky situation. However, disabling traction control can be helpful when your car is stuck in the snow or mud, especially when attempting to get out of a driveway or up a hill.

However, that’s not always how it works. Computer-controlled systems will sometimes cut power to the wheels entirely, leaving you stranded in mud, snow, or dirt, unable to move. In winter conditions at very low speeds, traction control can make it difficult to gain the momentum needed to move through deep snow, mud, or dirt.

Traction control can be downright dangerous in some situations, for instance, when driving up or down a slippery, icy surface. That’s because the software can’t adjust to the context. It doesn’t know why the vehicle is slipping. It only knows that a wheel has lost traction.

Because of this, many off-roaders use traction control selectively. Disabling traction control can enhance control for specific scenarios like driving uphill on loose surfaces or when using tire chains. They keep it off for challenging terrain and then turn it back on for normal driving situations.

Lastly, traction control reduces the fun of mudding and off-road driving more generally. The experience can feel overly sanitized when you switch on these systems.

For example, suppose you are stuck in the mud. Keeping traction control on might prevent the wheels from turning at all, leaving you stranded. However, if you turn it off, you may be able to “rock” your vehicle to freedom by putting it into reverse and then accelerating gently. Once you have successfully navigated out of slippery conditions, it is important to turn traction control back on for safe driving.

How To Turn Off Traction Control, And Why It's Important

How you turn off traction control depends on your vehicle’s make and model. Each manufacturer uses a slightly different system.

General Method

Most vehicles are equipped with a dedicated button for the Traction Control System (TCS) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The process to deactivate these systems typically involves pressing this button, and the steps may vary by vehicle.

Locate the traction control or ESC button, usually on the dash or near the shift stick.
A quick press of the button usually disables only traction control.
A long press (5 to 10 seconds) can fully disable both traction control and stability control.
Look for a steady yellow light on the dash indicating the system is off.
Always check your vehicle's display to confirm that you've successfully switched the traction control system off.

Jeep Wrangler

Find the traction control button on the middle console, usually next to the hazard warning light control.
Press the button; a light will appear next to the speedometer on the dash, indicating the system is now off.
Some models may require the ignition to be in accessory mode or the engine running to perform this process.

Fiat-Chrysler/RAM/Dodge

Push the ESC (electronic stability control) button for five seconds until you hear a “ding” sound.
Once deactivated, “ESC OFF” will appear on your instrument cluster.
In some models, with the ignition in accessory mode, pressing the gas pedal multiple times can also deactivate traction control.

Ford

Either press and hold the traction control button or
Scroll through the menu using steering wheel controls to turn traction control off.
Make sure the ignition is on or the engine is running during this process.

GMC/Chevrolet

Press and hold the button in the center stack until the TC and Traction Control lights illuminate on the dash.
This will turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak.
The process may require the ignition to be on.

Toyota

Press and hold the VSC button for three seconds to deactivate both VSC and TRAC.
Once disabled, the TRAC OFF and VSC OFF indicators should appear on your instrument cluster or dash.

Manufacturers vary the names for electronic stability control, which can be confusing. You may see it written as ASC (active stability control), DSC (dynamic stability control), or ESP (electronic stability program). If you are unsure how to turn traction control off, consult your vehicle’s handbook.

When Is Turning Off Traction Control Important?

Turning off traction control is important in the following scenarios:

Driving on icy or slippery surfaces: ESC systems may cut power to the wheels, preventing you from maintaining any control over your vehicle.
Rocking your 4x4 out of snow, mud, or a river: Disabling traction control allows you to spin the wheels and gain the momentum needed to get unstuck.
Having fun or testing your driving skills: Turning off traction control can make off-road driving more engaging and allow you to fully experience your vehicle’s capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, while turning on traction control sometimes makes sense, it can be dangerous and take the fun out of overlanding. Therefore, we suggest you only keep it switched on in normal driving conditions.

If you're looking for 4x4 offroad gear, check out the selection at Rhino USA. We stock kinetic ropes, tow straps, shovels, and tire inflators designed to keep your excursions fun.