Is it better to drive with traction control on or off?

The decision to drive with traction control on or off depends on the driving conditions and your personal preferences. In general, it is recommended to keep traction control on for most driving situations to maintain better control and stability of the vehicle. However, there may be specific scenarios where turning traction control off can be beneficial.

What is Traction Control?

Traction control is a safety feature in modern vehicles that helps prevent the wheels from spinning excessively when accelerating or driving on slippery surfaces. It works by automatically applying the brakes to individual wheels or reducing engine power when it detects wheel slip, helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.

Driving with Traction Control On

Leaving traction control on is the recommended setting for most driving conditions, as it provides the following benefits:

• Improved Stability: Traction control helps keep the vehicle stable and prevents the wheels from spinning, which can cause the vehicle to lose control, especially on wet, icy, or loose surfaces.


• Enhanced Safety: By maintaining traction and control, traction control can help prevent accidents and keep the driver and passengers safer.


• Better Acceleration: Traction control can help the vehicle accelerate more efficiently by preventing wheel spin, which can waste engine power.

In most everyday driving situations, it is recommended to keep traction control on to take advantage of these benefits.

Driving with Traction Control Off

There are some specific scenarios where turning off traction control may be beneficial:

• Driving in Deep Snow or Mud: In deep snow or mud, traction control may actually hinder the vehicle's ability to get unstuck by limiting wheel spin. Turning it off can allow the wheels to spin more, helping the vehicle gain traction and move forward.


• Performance Driving: For experienced drivers who are driving on a racetrack or in other performance-oriented situations, turning off traction control can allow for more wheel slip and a more dynamic driving experience.


• Recovering from Skids: In some cases, turning off traction control can help the driver regain control of the vehicle if it starts to skid or lose traction.

However, it's important to note that driving with traction control off should only be done in specific situations and by experienced drivers who are comfortable with the increased risk of losing control of the vehicle.

Conclusion

In most everyday driving situations, it is recommended to keep traction control on to maintain better stability, safety, and acceleration. However, there are some specific scenarios where turning off traction control can be beneficial, such as driving in deep snow or mud, performance driving, or recovering from a skid. Ultimately, the decision to drive with traction control on or off should be based on the driving conditions and the driver's experience and comfort level.

Is it okay to drive with traction control on all the time?

Since 2012, traction control has been a standard safety feature, as part of Electronic Stability Control, on cars sold in the United States. While it can be turned on and off whenever the driver desires, there are few instances when it needs to be turned off. It is much safer to leave it on when possible.

What happens if you drive with traction control off?

Driving with traction control off means you lose a safety feature that prevents wheel slip, increasing the risk of skidding or losing control, especially on slippery surfaces like wet or icy roads. Without traction control, you will need to manually manage wheel spin by easing off the accelerator, and the car can become unstable if a wheel loses grip suddenly. However, there are specific, limited situations where turning it off can be beneficial, such as trying to get unstuck from mud or snow by allowing the wheels to spin to gain momentum.
 
This video explains what traction control is and when you might want to turn it off: 1mToyotaJeff ReviewsYouTube · Oct 31, 2018
Risks of driving with traction control off

• Increased risk of skidding: Traction control prevents wheelspin, so with it off, your tires can easily slip, leading to a loss of control, particularly when cornering. 
• Unpredictable behavior: The system's automatic interventions can sometimes be overly sensitive, and removing them can lead to more abrupt and unpredictable wheel spin, especially on very slick surfaces. 
• Loss of stability control: On many cars, turning off traction control also disables the related Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. ESC is crucial for preventing spins and maintaining stability, especially during emergency maneuvers. 

This video demonstrates how traction control helps you maintain stability on the road: 55sToyotaJeff ReviewsYouTube · Apr 14, 2023
When it can be helpful to turn it off

• Getting unstuck: If your car is stuck in snow, mud, or gravel, traction control may cut engine power, preventing you from moving. Turning it off allows the wheels to spin more freely, which can help you "rock" the car back and forth to regain momentum and get out. 
• Driving on steep, slippery hills: In some situations, traction control's power reduction can make it harder to get up a slippery hill. Disabling it can give the engine more power to keep moving. 
• Specific performance driving: On a race track, drivers may turn off traction control to have more control over the car's handling and to perform maneuvers like drifting. This is an advanced skill and not recommended for public roads. 

You can watch this video to see an example of using traction control to get unstuck from snow: 54sAutoJeff ReviewsYouTube · Mar 19, 2023
Key takeaway
For most daily driving, especially in adverse weather conditions, it is safest to leave traction control on. Turn it off only in specific situations where you are stuck and need to "rock" the vehicle, but be prepared to manually manage the throttle and be aware of the significant increase in risk.

Why would you want to turn off traction control?

You would want to turn off traction control in specific situations where you need to rock the vehicle to get unstuck from snow, mud, or sand, or for activities like off-roading and "donuts". Turning off the system allows for more wheel spin, which is necessary to get momentum in these specific scenarios, unlike everyday driving where it is a safety feature that should be kept on. 
When to turn off traction control
This video explains when and why you might need to turn off traction control: 55sToyotaJeff ReviewsYouTube · Apr 14, 2023

• To get unstuck: When a car is stuck in deep snow, mud, or sand, turning off traction control is essential. The system's tendency to cut engine power and apply brakes to spinning wheels can prevent the vehicle from rocking back and forth to gain momentum. 
• Off-roading: For activities like driving on trails, driving in sand, or navigating other difficult terrain, turning off traction control allows for better control and wheel spin on uneven surfaces. 
• For performance or fun: In a safe, controlled environment like an empty parking lot, some drivers turn off traction control to perform maneuvers like "donuts" or to achieve a more aggressive launch off the starting line. 
• While using tire chains: If you are using tire chains on your vehicle, you should turn off traction control. The system can interfere with the chains' function, leading to poor performance. 

Important considerations

• Leave it on for normal driving: Traction control is a critical safety feature designed to help you maintain control on slippery roads like ice or rain, so it should generally be left on at all times. 
• Be aware of the risks: Turning off traction control makes the vehicle less stable, especially in adverse weather conditions. You are responsible for controlling the vehicle safely without the system's assistance. 

Is it better to drive in the snow with traction control off?

You should generally leave traction control on in the snow, but turn it off temporarily if you get stuck and need to rock the car to get out. Keeping it on helps prevent skidding by limiting wheel spin on icy or lightly snow-covered roads, while turning it off allows your tires to spin more freely to dig through deep snow. 
This video explains what traction control is and when you should turn it off: 55sPerformance Lexus Northern KentuckyYouTube · Nov 9, 2022
Keep traction control on for 

• Normal driving: On snow or ice-covered roads, traction control is a key safety feature that helps you maintain grip and control. 
• Preventing skids: It slows down a slipping wheel and transfers power to the wheel with more traction, which is helpful for staying in your lane and preventing slides. 
• Activating winter modes: Many modern vehicles have a "snow" or "winter" mode that works in conjunction with traction control for optimal performance on slippery surfaces. 

Turn traction control off temporarily for 

• Getting unstuck: If your car is stuck in deep snow, the system may cut power and prevent your wheels from spinning enough to get out. Turning it off allows the wheels to spin and dig into the snow to gain momentum. 
• Rocking the vehicle: To get free from a stuck position, you often need to alternate between forward and reverse to build momentum. Traction control can hinder this, so you'll want to turn it off. 
• Using snow chains: If you are using snow chains on your tires, you should turn off traction control as the system is not designed to work with chains. 
• Getting the car moving again: If your tires are spinning and the car isn't moving, turn off traction control. Once you are moving, you can turn the system back on.