How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction control system development ABS
Traction Control is an automotive safety feature designed to help your car’s wheels maintain traction on low-traction surfaces such as slippery and rain roads. When the tires start to skid, traction control activates, giving the driver continuous control of the vehicle. If a vehicle without traction control attempts to accelerate under the same circumstances, the wheels may spin. The vehicle may then move left or right unpredictably because the vehicle is no longer accelerating and the wheels are no longer touching the road.
To achieve the goal of reducing tire slip, the traction control system uses electronic sensors in a manner similar to the more familiar anti-lock braking system (ABS). Electronic sensors and controls can also be used to limit the power available to drivers in hazardous road conditions.
The traction control system cannot create traction where there is no traction, it can only improve the traction that exists. Traction control doesn’t help on surfaces with little friction, such as ice.
What is Traction Control?
If you’ve ever been in a car that skidded at high acceleration, you probably didn’t have a working Traction Control System (TCS). Just as ABS is designed to prevent skidding when braking, traction control is designed to prevent skidding when accelerating. These systems are essentially two sides of the same coin and share several components.
Mint Photos/Getty
Traction control has become increasingly common in recent years, but the technology is a relatively recent innovation. There was a lot of prior art before electronic traction control was invented.
The first attempts to develop a traction control system were made in the 1930s. These early systems were called locked differentials because all the hardware was on the differential. Without any electronic components, the system had to detect a lack of traction and transmit power mechanically.
In the 1970s, General Motors produced the first electronic traction control system. The system was notorious for being unreliable, although it could regulate engine power when a lack of traction was detected.
A related technology, electronic stability control, is now an essential piece of equipment sold in the United States and the European Union. In many electronic stability systems with integrated traction control, these regulations mean that the next vehicle will increasingly likely be equipped with traction control.
How does traction control work?
The traction control system works similarly to the anti-reverse braking system. They use the same sensors to determine which one wheel has lost traction, but these systems look for wheel slip during acceleration rather than deceleration.
When the traction control system detects that the wheels are skidding, it can take several corrective actions. If the wheels need braking, the TCS can brake like ABS.
However, the traction control system can also exercise some control over engine operation. If necessary, TCS can often reduce fuel or spark delivery to one or more cylinders. On vehicles with a drive-by-wire throttle, the TCS may also close the throttle to reduce engine power.
What are the benefits of traction control?
Maintaining traction on all four wheels is critical to maintaining control of the vehicle. Loosening during acceleration can cause the vehicle to slip and not recover.
In these situations, you must wait for the vehicle to regain traction or take your foot off the accelerator. While these methods work, the TCS has much finer control over engine and braking operation.
Traction control leaves no excuse for careless driving, but it does provide an extra layer of protection. Traction control can be very useful if you frequently drive on wet or icy roads.
There are times when you need to accelerate when merging into highway traffic or crossing busy streets and in other situations where slipping can lead to an accident. Traction control is very useful when that kind of fast acceleration is absolutely necessary.
Is traction control always helpful?
The traction control system is great when driving on wet or icy roads, but it has limitations. Traction control is of little use if the vehicle comes to a complete stop on ice or heavy snow.
These systems can deliver the right amount of power to each wheel, but it won’t help if all the wheels are free to spin. In these situations, you need to dress the wheels with something they can actually grip.
The Traction Control system not only helps you accelerate, it also helps you maintain control when cornering. If you spin too fast, the driven wheels tend to lose traction on the road.
Oversteer or understeer may occur depending on whether the vehicle is front wheel drive or rear wheel drive. If your vehicle is equipped with ASR, the drive wheels are more likely to retain traction.
When is traction control helpful and how do I use it?
Traction control is not something to think about. It turns on when needed. Your vehicle may have the option to turn traction control on or off. If so, you should make sure it is turned on if you are likely to drive in a situation where traction is likely to decrease.
Here are some common situations where traction control can help:
- Starting from a standstill or attempting to accelerate when light rain makes the road very slippery. Without traction control, the tires could slip and the car could pull in an unexpected direction without accelerating.
- Attempting to accelerate when driving on a slope with an unpaved road. Without traction control, the tires could slip and lose momentum to move forward. This could cause the vehicle to slide down a hill or even roll over to the side.
- Assume that the vehicle is stopped on an icy road at a traffic light approaching from behind.. Without traction control, you could be overtaken by an oncoming vehicle if your wheels are spinning. You may not be able to stop and hit your car on slippery roads.
In each of these cases, there is some traction on the road surface, so the traction control system can use it to help you move or keep moving.
Is it safe to drive with the TCS lights on?
In most cases, an illuminated TCS indicator light means the system is not working. That said, getting into a bad situation on a slippery road is unbelievable. It is generally safe to drive a vehicle, but you need to be more careful about how fast you accelerate.
Depending on the vehicle, the TCS indicator light may also come on when the system is activated. In these cases, they are usually shut off when traction is restored. Traction control systems are usually transparent, so seeing a small light lit may be the only indication that there is a risk of rotation.
More information
How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction Control Systems Are ABS Evolved
Traction control is a car safety feature that’s designed to help the wheels of your car grip low-traction surfaces like rain-slick roads. When the tires start to slip, the traction control system kicks in, and the driver is able to maintain control of their vehicle. If a vehicle without traction control attempts to accelerate under those same circumstances, the wheels may slip. The vehicle will then fail to accelerate, and may move unpredictably to the left or right as the wheels are no longer gripping the road.
To accomplish the goal of reducing tire slippage, traction control systems use electronic sensors in a similar manner to more familiar anti-lock brake (ABS) systems. They can also use electronic sensors and controls to limit the amount of power delivery that’s available to the driver when road conditions are dangerous.
Traction control systems cannot create traction where there is none, they can only improve existing traction. On nearly friction-less surfaces, like ice, traction control will not help.
What Is Traction Control?
If you’ve ever been in a car that skidded out during heavy acceleration, it probably wasn’t equipped with a functioning traction control system (TCS). In the same way that ABS is designed to prevent skids during braking, traction control is meant to prevent skids during acceleration. These systems are essentially two sides of the same coin, and they even share a number of components.
Mint Images / Getty
Traction control has grown increasingly common in recent years, but the technology is a relatively recent innovation. Prior to the invention of electronic traction control, there were a number of precursor technologies.
The first attempts at creating traction control systems were made during the 1930s. These early systems were referred to as limited-slip differentials because all of the hardware was located in the differential. There were no electronic components involved, so these systems had to sense a lack of traction and transfer power mechanically.
During the 1970s, General Motors produced some of the first electronic traction control systems. These systems were capable of modulating engine power when a lack of traction was sensed, but they were notoriously unreliable.
Electronic stability control, a related technology, is now required equipment in cars sold in the United States and the European Union. Since many electronic stability systems include traction control, these regulations mean that it is increasingly likely that your next car will have traction control.
How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction control systems function sort of like reverse anti-lock brake systems. They use the same sensors to determine whether any of the wheels have lost traction, but these systems look for wheel slippage during acceleration instead of deceleration.
If a traction control system determines that a wheel is slipping, it can take a number of corrective actions. If a wheel needs to be slowed down, the TCS is capable of pulsing the brakes just like the ABS can.
However, traction control systems are also capable of exerting some management over engine operations. If it’s necessary, the TCS can often reduce the supply of fuel or spark to one or more cylinders. In vehicles that use drive by wire throttle, the TCS can also close the throttle to reduce engine power.
What Is the Benefit of Traction Control?
In order to retain control of your vehicle, it’s vital that all four wheels maintain traction. If they break loose during acceleration, the vehicle can go into a slide that you may not be able to recover from.
Under those circumstances, you’re forced to either wait for the vehicle to regain traction with the road or to ease off of the accelerator. Those methods work, but a TCS has a much more granular level of control over engine and brake operations.
Traction control isn’t an excuse for careless driving, but it does provide an extra layer of protection. If you frequently drive in wet or icy conditions, traction control can really come in handy.
Rapid acceleration is sometimes necessary when merging with freeway traffic, crossing busy roads, and in other situations where spinning out could result in an accident. When you absolutely need that kind of rapid acceleration, traction control is extremely useful.
Does Traction Control Always Help?
Traction control systems are great if you’re driving on a road that’s wet or icy, but they do have limitations. If your vehicle is completely stopped on slick ice or in heavy snow, traction control will most likely be useless.
These systems can send an appropriate amount of power to each wheel, but that won’t help if all of your wheels are freewheeling. In those circumstances, you’ll need to provide the wheels with something they can actually grip.
In addition to providing assistance during acceleration, traction control systems can also help you maintain control while cornering. If you take a turn too fast, your drive wheels will tend to lose traction with the road surface.
Depending on whether you have a front or rear wheel drive vehicle, that can result in either oversteer or understeer. If your vehicle is equipped with TCS, the drive wheels stand a better chance of maintaining traction.
When Is Traction Control Helpful, and How Do You Use It?
Traction control isn’t really something you have to think about using. When it’s needed, it kicks in. Your vehicle may have an option to turn traction control on or off, in which case you’ll want to make sure it’s on if there’s a chance you will be driving in any situation where reduced traction is likely.
Here are some common situations where traction control helps:
Trying to start from a stop, or accelerate, when a light rain has caused the road surface to become very slick. Without traction control, your tires could slip, causing your vehicle to lurch in an unexpected direction instead of accelerating.
Attempting to accelerate when driving up an incline with an unpaved road surface. Without traction control, your tires could slip, causing you to lose forward momentum. Your vehicle may then slide back down the hill, or even end up sideways.
Starting from a complete stop on an icy road at a traffic light with vehicles approaching from behind. Without traction control, the approaching vehicles may overtake you as your wheels slip. On the icy roadway, they may then be unable to stop and hit your vehicle.
In each of these cases, there is some traction with the road surface, so the traction control system is able to leverage that to help you start moving or keep you moving.
Is It Safe to Drive with the TCS Light On?
In most circumstances, an illuminated TCS light means that the system isn’t functioning. That means you won’t be able to rely on it if you find yourself in a bad situation on slick roads. It’s usually safe to drive the vehicle, but you’ll have to pay closer attention to how quickly you accelerate.
Depending on your vehicle, the TCS light may also illuminate whenever the system goes into action. In those cases, it will usually shut off when traction is restored. Since traction control systems usually operate transparently, the illumination of that little light may be the only hint that you were ever in danger of spinning out.
#Traction #Control #Work
How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction Control Systems Are ABS Evolved
Traction control is a car safety feature that’s designed to help the wheels of your car grip low-traction surfaces like rain-slick roads. When the tires start to slip, the traction control system kicks in, and the driver is able to maintain control of their vehicle. If a vehicle without traction control attempts to accelerate under those same circumstances, the wheels may slip. The vehicle will then fail to accelerate, and may move unpredictably to the left or right as the wheels are no longer gripping the road.
To accomplish the goal of reducing tire slippage, traction control systems use electronic sensors in a similar manner to more familiar anti-lock brake (ABS) systems. They can also use electronic sensors and controls to limit the amount of power delivery that’s available to the driver when road conditions are dangerous.
Traction control systems cannot create traction where there is none, they can only improve existing traction. On nearly friction-less surfaces, like ice, traction control will not help.
What Is Traction Control?
If you’ve ever been in a car that skidded out during heavy acceleration, it probably wasn’t equipped with a functioning traction control system (TCS). In the same way that ABS is designed to prevent skids during braking, traction control is meant to prevent skids during acceleration. These systems are essentially two sides of the same coin, and they even share a number of components.
Mint Images / Getty
Traction control has grown increasingly common in recent years, but the technology is a relatively recent innovation. Prior to the invention of electronic traction control, there were a number of precursor technologies.
The first attempts at creating traction control systems were made during the 1930s. These early systems were referred to as limited-slip differentials because all of the hardware was located in the differential. There were no electronic components involved, so these systems had to sense a lack of traction and transfer power mechanically.
During the 1970s, General Motors produced some of the first electronic traction control systems. These systems were capable of modulating engine power when a lack of traction was sensed, but they were notoriously unreliable.
Electronic stability control, a related technology, is now required equipment in cars sold in the United States and the European Union. Since many electronic stability systems include traction control, these regulations mean that it is increasingly likely that your next car will have traction control.
How Does Traction Control Work?
Traction control systems function sort of like reverse anti-lock brake systems. They use the same sensors to determine whether any of the wheels have lost traction, but these systems look for wheel slippage during acceleration instead of deceleration.
If a traction control system determines that a wheel is slipping, it can take a number of corrective actions. If a wheel needs to be slowed down, the TCS is capable of pulsing the brakes just like the ABS can.
However, traction control systems are also capable of exerting some management over engine operations. If it’s necessary, the TCS can often reduce the supply of fuel or spark to one or more cylinders. In vehicles that use drive by wire throttle, the TCS can also close the throttle to reduce engine power.
What Is the Benefit of Traction Control?
In order to retain control of your vehicle, it’s vital that all four wheels maintain traction. If they break loose during acceleration, the vehicle can go into a slide that you may not be able to recover from.
Under those circumstances, you’re forced to either wait for the vehicle to regain traction with the road or to ease off of the accelerator. Those methods work, but a TCS has a much more granular level of control over engine and brake operations.
Traction control isn’t an excuse for careless driving, but it does provide an extra layer of protection. If you frequently drive in wet or icy conditions, traction control can really come in handy.
Rapid acceleration is sometimes necessary when merging with freeway traffic, crossing busy roads, and in other situations where spinning out could result in an accident. When you absolutely need that kind of rapid acceleration, traction control is extremely useful.
Does Traction Control Always Help?
Traction control systems are great if you’re driving on a road that’s wet or icy, but they do have limitations. If your vehicle is completely stopped on slick ice or in heavy snow, traction control will most likely be useless.
These systems can send an appropriate amount of power to each wheel, but that won’t help if all of your wheels are freewheeling. In those circumstances, you’ll need to provide the wheels with something they can actually grip.
In addition to providing assistance during acceleration, traction control systems can also help you maintain control while cornering. If you take a turn too fast, your drive wheels will tend to lose traction with the road surface.
Depending on whether you have a front or rear wheel drive vehicle, that can result in either oversteer or understeer. If your vehicle is equipped with TCS, the drive wheels stand a better chance of maintaining traction.
When Is Traction Control Helpful, and How Do You Use It?
Traction control isn’t really something you have to think about using. When it’s needed, it kicks in. Your vehicle may have an option to turn traction control on or off, in which case you’ll want to make sure it’s on if there’s a chance you will be driving in any situation where reduced traction is likely.
Here are some common situations where traction control helps:
Trying to start from a stop, or accelerate, when a light rain has caused the road surface to become very slick. Without traction control, your tires could slip, causing your vehicle to lurch in an unexpected direction instead of accelerating.
Attempting to accelerate when driving up an incline with an unpaved road surface. Without traction control, your tires could slip, causing you to lose forward momentum. Your vehicle may then slide back down the hill, or even end up sideways.
Starting from a complete stop on an icy road at a traffic light with vehicles approaching from behind. Without traction control, the approaching vehicles may overtake you as your wheels slip. On the icy roadway, they may then be unable to stop and hit your vehicle.
In each of these cases, there is some traction with the road surface, so the traction control system is able to leverage that to help you start moving or keep you moving.
Is It Safe to Drive with the TCS Light On?
In most circumstances, an illuminated TCS light means that the system isn’t functioning. That means you won’t be able to rely on it if you find yourself in a bad situation on slick roads. It’s usually safe to drive the vehicle, but you’ll have to pay closer attention to how quickly you accelerate.
Depending on your vehicle, the TCS light may also illuminate whenever the system goes into action. In those cases, it will usually shut off when traction is restored. Since traction control systems usually operate transparently, the illumination of that little light may be the only hint that you were ever in danger of spinning out.
#Traction #Control #Work
Synthetic: Vik News