Does Turning Off Traction Control Save Fuel?
2 Answers
It does not save fuel. The function of traction control is to prevent the drive wheels from spinning when the vehicle is driving on slippery surfaces such as snow, allowing the vehicle to start and accelerate smoothly. This system primarily limits the engine's torque output to minimize the risk of skidding and loss of control, which is unrelated to fuel consumption and does not result in fuel savings. The functions of the traction control system are as follows: 1. Preventing vehicle skidding: Cars are prone to skidding when driving on wet surfaces, and the process of starting and accelerating can lead to loss of control. If equipped with a traction control system, this situation can be avoided. When signs of skidding are detected, sensors send signals to the ECU, which processes the signals to prevent the vehicle from skidding. 2. Enhancing safety performance: When used in conjunction with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), the traction control system further improves the vehicle's safety. The traction control system and ABS can share wheel speed sensors on the axle and connect to the vehicle's computer to continuously monitor the speed of each wheel. If skidding is detected at low speeds, the traction control system immediately instructs the ABS to act, reducing wheel skidding. If skidding is detected at high speeds, the traction control system sends commands to the vehicle's computer to reduce engine speed or downshift the transmission, preventing the wheels from skidding and avoiding loss of control or fishtailing.
I've reviewed numerous test data, and turning off traction control can indeed provide a slight fuel-saving effect under certain conditions, as the system doesn't interfere with engine output, allowing more direct acceleration on flat, dry roads. However, these savings are minimal—perhaps just a few tenths of a liter per 100 kilometers—and come with significant risks: wheels are more prone to slipping, especially on wet, snowy, or muddy surfaces, which can cause the engine to inject more fuel to compensate for the slip losses, ultimately leading to higher fuel consumption over time. I never recommend disabling it—safety should always come first. Modern systems are intelligent enough to automatically balance power and efficiency, so keeping it enabled during daily driving is the wisest choice.
