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What Is Traction Control?

By Dale Wickell, About.com

Question: What Is Traction Control?
You'll hear the term traction control when you shop for a vehicle or read car and truck reviews. Traction control is one of those features that you don't think too much about until you need it.
Answer: Traction control, sometimes called electronic traction control, utilizes the anti-lock braking system to detect and control wheel spin.

Sensors monitor the speed of each wheel. If the system recognizes that a wheel is turning faster than its counterpart on the opposite side of the truck, it pulses the brake on the faster-spinning wheel in an attempt to transfer power to the wheel with better traction.

Traction control can be a big help when you're driving on snow or other slick surfaces, and if a wheel spins when taking off from a stop.

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