Traction control does not always work

Traction control is for safety. It reduces wheel spin. When it is turned on it is harder to lose control in slippery road conditions. Like doing donuts in the snow.

If someone didn't turn Traction Control off by means of a button, it is telling you Traction Control is OFF or malfunctioning. Instrument panels lights are supposed to illuminate as a lamp test for a couple of seconds each time you start the engine. If the Traction Control is not operational you should have it checked by a dealer, they are familiar with your car and have likely seen this before. Traction Control is an important safety feature that needs to work properly to help you avoid loss of control while driving in slippery road conditions.

Hi,
Four wheel drive is a traction devise. Not a braking devise.
So, no it will not help you stop faster.
That said, on slippery conditions when you let off the gas the extra, "traction" will help slow you down if you do not slide.
Hope this helps you out.
Wayne

Traction control controls spin in wheels on slippery roads. if you are stuck in snow or ice or on slippery road surface,try switching the traction control system off. this may allow excess wheel spin to dig the vehicle out.

This is the Traction Control Warning light. Traction control is device added to the engine/gearbox sytem, and is designed to help minimise wheel spins when moving away, particularly on a slippery surface. When the system detects the wheels starting to slip and Traction control starts to cut in this warning light shows.

Traction control cannot do much to help in severe ice or snow though, so you can expect to see this light showing or flashing if the conditions are extreme.

If this light shows when the conditions are not extreme, stopping and restarting the engine will often reset it.

ETS stands for Enhanced Traction System.
This is GM's version of Traction Control - it improves traction (to reduce likely hood of skidding) on slippery or loose surfaces.

TCS stands for Traction Control System.
The traction control system works in conjunction with your Antilock Brake System (ABS) and your Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (Note that ECM, ECU, and PCM all mean the computer that controls your engine, depending on make.)

Anyway, the traction control system can apply one or more of the brakes and control engine RPM in the event that a wheel slip has been detected by the traction control system.

Pushing the TCS button on most models will light a lamp in the instrument cluster that usually says "Trac Off" Pressing it a second time will turn this light back off.

When the "Trac Off" light is illuminated, the Traction Control System is disabled and will not work in the event of a wheel slip.

Also note that when the Traction Control System is working and a wheel slip is detected, The Traction Control Module will usually illuminate a light that says "Trac" as it is taking control of your brakes and engine. It can feel really strange when this occurs and some people think that their transmission is slipping or that their engine has a misfire problem.
The chances are that if it occurred on wet, slippery pavement, the Traction Control System may have just saved your life.

If this is happening on dry pavement and normal driving conditions (starting, stopping, or turning), there may be a problem with the system. "False Traction Control" can happen just like a bad wheel sensor causing "False Antilock Mode".

Also check your Owners Manual for more specific information pertaining to your particular vehicle.

traction control is for wet or slippery conditions it can either be turned off or on

Traction control helps limit tire slip in acceleration on slippery surfaces. In the past you had to feather the gas pedal to prevent the drive wheels from spinning wildly on slippery pavement. Many of today's vehicles employ electronic controls to limit power delivery for the driver, eliminating wheel slip and helping the driver accelerate under control. Don't turn it off.

Probably Traction control for slippery roads. Helps put power to wheels that aren't spinning, rather than the ones that are, for better/safer traction while driving.