What Causes the Anti-Slip Light to Illuminate?
3 Answers
The following are specific reasons why the car's anti-slip system light may illuminate: 1. Diagnosis required at a 4S shop: (1) Software issues causing poor signal transmission. (2) Fuse blown or circuit short. (3) Poor contact or malfunction at the sensor interface. (4) ABS pump failure. 2. Accidental pressing of the ESP off button: Accidentally pressing the ESP off button, leading to manual deactivation of the anti-slip system. To resolve, restart the engine and briefly press the ESP-OFF button to check if the anti-slip system was manually turned off.
I remember once driving on a mountain road during an outing when it was slippery, and the anti-skid light suddenly came on. At first, I thought something serious was wrong with the car. Later, a mechanic friend told me that this light doesn't necessarily indicate a fault—it activates on slippery roads or when the car skids during turns to help stabilize traction. However, if the light stays on after parking, it's time to check it out. Common reasons include wheel sensors getting dirty with mud or rainwater, triggering false alarms; or issues with the system module, such as a malfunctioning ESP control unit. Also, check if the switch button was accidentally turned off—there's a switch near the steering wheel that can deactivate the anti-skid function. If the light comes on along with jerky braking, it might be due to low battery voltage or a short circuit. At the time, I tried cleaning the wheel sensor area myself, and the light went off, saving both money and hassle. Safe driving is the priority—if this happens, stay calm, try simple fixes first, and if that doesn’t work, head to a professional shop for inspection.
As a car enthusiast, I've modified car electronic accessories before, and the anti-skid light coming on is quite common. Last time after washing the car, the light came on—probably because water splashed into the wheel sensor, causing the system to misjudge. Besides dirty or aged/cracked sensors, the system might also be reminding you during normal operation, like when the anti-skid system intervenes on rainy or snowy days, the light will flash. But if it stays on constantly, there's a higher chance of a fault, such as internal damage to the anti-skid module, a blown circuit fuse, or issues related to the ABS system. Improper modifications can also trigger it, like changing to tires of mismatched sizes, where the system detects speed differences and alerts. I suggest first restarting the car to see if the light disappears; check tire pressure and clean the sensor components. If that doesn’t work, use an OBD scanner to read the fault codes or consult a mechanic for a quick fix—don’t delay if you have a long trip planned.
