What is the reason for the ASR light coming on?
2 Answers
ASR is the car's Anti-Slip Regulation system. The reasons for the ASR light coming on are: 1. The tires have been repaired or removed; 2. Insufficient tire pressure or a leak in the tire, it is necessary to check if the tire is leaking or underinflated; 3. In colder climates, the vehicle's grip decreases, especially when encountering icy roads causing wheel slippage, which can trigger the ASR warning light; 4. If the vehicle is equipped with an ABS system, it can also cause ASR faults. Solutions for when the ASR light comes on: 1. Check if the tire is leaking or has insufficient pressure, after repairing and inflating the tire, driving about ten kilometers can clear the light; 2. If there are no issues with the tire, the fault light may be due to wheel slippage, and it will usually turn off after driving for a while; 3. Some vehicles have an ASR switch, turning the ASR switch off and on again can clear the fault code.
When the ASR light comes on, my first thought is that the system has detected abnormal wheel speed or drive wheel slippage. Mud or metal shavings on the wheel speed sensor surface can trigger false trouble codes—I’ve experienced similar issues after driving in the rain. Other possibilities include moisture in the control module, loose circuit connectors, or even problems with the braking system linkage. This light indicates potential traction control failure, so extra caution with acceleration is crucial during rain or snow, especially on slopes. Modern vehicles connect ASR via CAN bus, so avoid unplugging connectors randomly—read trouble codes promptly for accurate diagnosis. Typically, cleaning sensors or resetting the system resolves it, but repeated warnings warrant checking for wiring degradation risks.
