The TCS light on your car's dashboard stands for the Traction Control System. It's a safety feature designed to prevent your wheels from spinning uncontrollably during acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces like rain, snow, or ice. When this light illuminates steadily, it means the system is actively working to regain traction. If the light flashes, it indicates the system is intervening at that moment. A steady light that stays on signifies the system has been manually turned off or there is a fault that needs diagnosis.
The system works by using the same wheel-speed sensors as the anti-lock braking system (ABS). If a sensor detects a wheel is spinning significantly faster than the others (indicating a loss of traction), the TCS automatically reduces engine power or applies brakes to that specific wheel to transfer power to the wheels with more grip.
Here is a breakdown of common TCS light indicators and their meanings:
| TCS Light Indicator | What It Means | Recommended Action |
|---|
| Light flashes intermittently | The TCS is actively intervening to prevent wheel spin. | Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go. This is normal operation. |
| Light is steadily on | The TCS has been manually switched off via a button in the cabin. | You can turn it back on if desired. Drive with extra caution as traction aid is disabled. |
| Light is steadily on (no button pressed) | A fault has been detected in the TCS or related ABS system. | Have the vehicle diagnosed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. |
| TCS light and ABS light are both on | Indicates a significant problem with the shared sensor network. | Immediate professional diagnosis is critical for safety. |
| Light comes on during specific maneuvers | Could indicate a failing wheel speed sensor. | Schedule a service appointment to identify the faulty component. |
If the light remains on steadily due to a fault, your vehicle's traction control will be inactive. While the car is still drivable, you should avoid aggressive acceleration and drive cautiously in poor weather conditions until the system is repaired.
