What is ESC?

TCS stands for Traction Control Systems. It is a standard feature on all vehicles. This prevents wheels from losing traction when they are on slippery surfaces. This is how it works.

Traction control systems employ wheel-speed sensors to determine when one of the wheels loses traction. It may reduce power to the wheels depending on the vehicle and/or apply brakes in an attempt to restore traction.

TCS works like a driver who removes their foot from the accelerator pedal when a wheel slides. This is similar to a driver who speeds up on a slippery surface. TCS can detect wheel slip sooner, respond quicker, and, on some vehicles, even reduce power to individual drives wheels.

Some traction control systems may be too fast or too slow to allow for wheels to move. Vehicles stuck in snow and ice end up going nowhere. It is much better to turn off TCS, then drive by rocking the car or pressing the accelerator pedal, and then moving out.

TCS was first made available in the 1970s and 1980s. However, it was not widely available until the 1980s. TCS was first offered by premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Later, it was added to higher-end models like BMW. TCS is now standard in all modern vehicles. However, it has been less prominent in the last decade because it was incorporated into the electronic stability program.

What's ESC?

ESC, a federally mandated safety device, measures a vehicle’s direction and compares it with the position of the steering wheel. It warns if a vehicle is at risk of colliding with another vehicle. The ESC cuts power applies brakes quickly and then releases them to the wheels. The ESC prevents the vehicle's skidding and maintains control. It functions in the same way as TCS and relies on antilock sensors at each wheel as well as other sensors.

The dashboard warning light for stability control and traction is the same on many vehicles. It blinks briefly when the engine is started or when one of the systems has been engaged. Many vehicles had a dashboard switch that turned off traction control. The 2012 model year saw all vehicles require stability control, so the switch was no longer needed. You may have to turn off the ESC in order to disable traction control.

The method of disabling traction control or stabilizing control will depend on the vehicle and its manufacturer. Some vehicles have a switch on the dashboard to turn off ESC. Others might need to use a touchscreen, drill down through the menus or controls to find and disable ESC. Some vehicles permit you to disable the traction control system and turn off ESC. Some vehicles permit you to switch off TCS and leave ESC on. Your vehicle's information can be found in the owner's manual.

TCS and ESC should never be turned off unless it is necessary to clear snow or similar conditions. They offer safety benefits. These systems can be difficult to disable for some manufacturers. Both systems are likely to be activated automatically when the engine turns on.

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