What does traction control mean?
2 Answers
Traction control refers to enabling the car to obtain optimal traction under various driving conditions. The control device of the traction control system is a computer, which detects the speed of the four wheels and the steering angle of the steering wheel. When the car accelerates, if it detects that the speed difference between the driving wheels and non-driving wheels is too large, the computer immediately determines that the driving force is excessive and sends a command signal to reduce the fuel supply to the engine, thereby reducing the driving force and the slip rate of the driving wheels. The computer uses the steering wheel angle sensor to understand the driver's steering intention, and then uses the left and right wheel speed sensors to detect the speed difference between the left and right wheels, determining whether the car's steering degree matches the driver's intention. If understeer is detected, the computer immediately determines that the driving force of the driving wheels is excessive and sends a command to reduce the driving force to achieve the driver's steering intention.
Traction control, simply put, is a safety system in vehicles specifically designed to prevent wheel slippage. For instance, when accelerating on rainy, snowy, or uneven roads, wheels may spin without gaining traction, causing the vehicle to lose control and skid off the lane. I remember once driving in the rain, hurrying through a curve when I pressed the accelerator a bit too hard—the wheels started to slip, but the system immediately intervened, reducing engine power to help the car regain stable grip on the road. It doesn’t require manual operation; instead, it intelligently detects differences in wheel speeds. If it notices a wheel spinning too fast, it automatically adjusts power or applies slight braking to that wheel to restore normal friction. This feature is incredibly useful for both new and experienced drivers, significantly reducing accident risks, especially when driving in adverse weather conditions.
