Do you get worried about continuous light on the dashboard? It’s alright. You are at the right place to get your car fixed. Follow the steps of how to reset traction control light and get rid of it.
The traction control light is a safety check of your brakes and tires, but if it is continuously on, you must follow how to reset the traction control light and fix the TCS. The on-board diagnostic (OBD) scanner helps in improving it.
This article will give detailed guidance on traction control light, how it works, the possible steps to reset the light, and the reasons that cause it to illuminate.
Key Takeaways:
- You have to press the gas pedal 3 times quickly.
- Further, let your engine run for a minute by turning it on.
- This general process may remove the TCS and antilock brake system (ABS) lights.
- But the light will only go away when there is no such problem with the system.
- A board diagnostic scanner is a tool to reset the light.
How to Reset Traction Control Light?
Though there are a few methods to reset the traction control light, which we will discuss before moving forward, looking at how it works and what causes it to light up will help us understand how to reset traction control light.
Traction Control Light:
Resetting Traction Light
TCS is a safety system for your car; all modern vehicles have this installed. It tries to keep the traction control by preventing the wheels from sliding or slipping, or skidding while driving. It helps either apply pressure to the brakes or reduce the engine power. Now the question arises: what keeps them lightening on the dashboard?
There could be multiple possible reasons that we will discuss in the article later on. Now we are going to discuss the steps to reset the TCS.
Methods to Reset Traction Control Light:
The resetting method of the traction control light consists of 7 steps. Read them carefully and follow them afterward.
Let’s Go On a Test Drive:
Start your resetting process by giving your car a test drive. It will take only a few minutes. Just drive carefully and turn left and right. While testing, your vehicle turns on the TCS light, replacing the battery, suspension and brakes, and ECU tuning. Don’t get scared. Once the testing is complete, the car will turn off the TCS lights.
Be Careful While Driving:
You must be a cautious driver, especially if you like to slide your car or take many sharp and risky turns. Remember, TCS is a safety feature; turning on TCS means driving unsafely. The TCS light will also turn on when you go on downhill trips and move quickly.
Safe driving is better because it’s better to reach late to crash your car. There is a reason for saying ‘better late than never.’
Time to Turn on The TCS:
Usually, turning on TCS lights shows that the TCS is off. Find the button TCS, DTS, ETS, or ESC. Hold and press the button for a few seconds, then check if the light is still up. Some of the latest cars, like the Subaru Impreza 2021, have the unique feature of lightening the TCS, which means the TCS is off, watch for that.
Keep Your Tires and Wheels in Proper Position:
Your car may spin when the vehicle’s tires are in different sizes, grip may differ, resulting in TCS being off. The correct size and shape of the tire will let your car rotate properly and timely.
The air pressure is also a matter of concern, make sure you check it. Additionally, do not forget to tighten the bolts or lug nuts for safety concerns.
ABS Control Module:
A safety feature possessed by a modern car is also known as an antilock brake system. It helps to avoid skidding. Usually, the sensor and some parts are the same as ABS and TCS. It makes sense if one is faulty because the other may get affected due to one flawed system.
A board diagnostic scanner (OBD2) is there to check the ABS, and your car sometimes turns on the ABS light. You can replace the system by replacing some parts.
Reprogrammed the TCS:
TSC can also be faulty, which is why reprogramming is necessary. It can be defective due to the ECS error, and you cannot reprogram it at home. It’s better to take your car to the mechanic shop.
Lastly, Run A System Scan:
A proper system becomes necessary If none of the above methods works for resetting the traction control light. You can do it at home. All you have to do is to buy a scammer OBD2, hook it to your mobile, and start scanning. Find if it addresses any issues. To scan your car, you need to download the application.
Every car has an OBD2 port at the cabin beneath the steering wheel. Plug in the scanner there and connect it to your device and scan.
Why does TCS Lighten Up the Dashboard?
The following are the reasons that cause TSC to lighten up:
Reckless Driving:
One of the main reasons is drivers’ reckless driving and driving in harmful conditions. Whenever a car senses a disruption in the wheels, the TCS light will turn on.
Cornering:
Too much throttle can be used in cornering the car. It can lead the tires to slip, resulting in the TCS going on.
Speed of Wheel and Steering Angle Sensor Mis-Calibration
If both of them, the wheel’s speed and the steering angle sensor, aren’t correctly calibrated; it will let the car turn on because it may think that the wheels aren’t in proper alignment and lose their traction when they haven’t.
Faulty Wiring:
The wheel speed sensor wire may get disturbed and exposed to certain substances near the wheel and suspension. As a result, the car turned the TCS on.
Crazy Facts:
- Replacing the ABS module in any mechanic shop will cost $1000 to 1200$, depending upon the vehicle you drive.
- Taking it to a mechanic for reprogramming will cost you $150 to $250 to diagnose.
- OD2 helps you to understand the issue thoroughly; it decodes the car issues, which allows you to explain the problem to your mechanic very quickly.
- Whenever excess throttle is used, the wheel may spin, and TCS turns on.
- Too much air pressure on a tire can damage it from road hazards.
Conclusion:
Check and maintain your car timely. Never risk it. Besides that, reckless driving and driving in harsh conditions may lead to severe accidents. Because TCS is a safety feature and it is present in our cars to protect us. Hopefully, this clears the concept of how to reset the traction control light. In the future, it will help you properly recognize whether your dashboard lightens up, whether it’s a failing system or you’re driving.