How to Turn Traction Control Off: Instructions for Any Vehicle

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Stuck in the mud? Here’s how switching off your traction control system might help

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Turning Off

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Turning Off without Button

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How TC Works

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When to Turn Off TC

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Tips

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Warnings

Traction control (TC) is an important safety feature of your vehicle, especially when you’re driving through ice, rain, or any other condition that could make your wheels spin out of control.^{[1]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source} But what if you’re in a situation where you need your wheels to spin a little more, like if your car is trapped in the mud or snow? In these specific cases, turning off your vehicle’s TC is essential to getting your vehicle back on steady ground. Although every car has slightly different controls, we’ll give you a basic rundown of the process so you can apply it to your own vehicle.

Things You Should Know

Hit the Traction Control button located inside of your car to switch off TC. If your car has a separate Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, deactivate that as well.
If your car doesn’t have a TC button, turn on your battery, hit your hazard lights, and press the gas pedal 5 times. Then, turn your car on all the way.
Hit the TC button to turn traction control back on. If you disabled TC without using a button, turn your car off and on again to reset it.

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Section 1 of 4:

How to Disable Traction Control

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1
Press the TC button or switch in your vehicle. Look for a button or switch that features the symbol of a car on top of 2 squiggly skid marks—this is the standard symbol for traction control. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, press the button or switch to disable the TC.^{[2]
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Research source} Check your vehicle’s display to confirm that you’ve successfully switched the system off. Some vehicles might display a “Traction Control Turned Off” notification on the dashboard.^{[3]
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Research source} On other vehicles, you might also see the TC symbol lit up on your dash.^{[4]
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- On some vehicles, this button might be located on the center console; on others, it might be next to the steering wheel. Check your car’s owner manual to confirm where the button or switch is, as well as how to operate it.
- Don’t know where your owner manual is? Look for your car’s manual here by typing in your vehicle’s manufacturer.
- On some vehicles, the warning light stays lit up while TC is turned off.^{[5]
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Disable the Vehicle Stability Controls (VSC) if your TC still won’t shut off. You might have to switch off the VSC to get complete control of your car. On some vehicles, you can switch off the VSC by pressing the TC button for a couple of extra seconds.^{[6]
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Research source} Double-check your vehicle’s owner manual to see what type of stability controls it has, and how they can be disabled.
- Some vehicles might label the VSC as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), or something similar.
- As a general rule of thumb, TC is meant to control how much your wheels spin while your car speeds up. VSC helps control the physical direction of the car in case it gets off track.^{[7]
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- Pro tip: Some vehicles might have their stability and traction controls built into the same system. This might be labled as Vehicle Stability Assist, or VSA.^{[8]
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Check your car’s dashboard to confirm that the TC notification has disappeared.^{[9]
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Disable Traction Control without the Button

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Whether you’re parked on a side street or pulling over the side of a highway, switch on your hazards so other drivers know to go around you.^{[10]
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Switch on your car battery and press on the gas pedal 5 times. Stick your key into the ignition and turn it slightly so only the battery switches on (rather than the entire vehicle). While keeping your car in park, press the gas pedal 5 times in a row to switch off your TC.^{[11]
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- Double-check that your car is the “Park” gear before you attempt this.
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Turn on your engine and switch off your hazard lights. Turn the ignition all the way so the engine starts up and the car is ready to drive. If everything worked correctly, your dashboard should be lit up with the TC symbol.^{[12]
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- On some vehicles, this symbol resembles a car on top of 2 squiggly skid marks.
The TC symbol should no longer be lit up on your dashboard, which means that TC is operational in your vehicle again.^{[13]
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Section 3 of 4:

What is traction control?

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TC helps keep your wheels from spinning or skidding. When ever you drive in slick or slippery conditions, like a rainy or icy road, your tires aren’t able to get as much grip or traction.^{[14]
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Research source} Whenever one of your wheels spins too much, the TC system automatically kicks in by slowing that wheel down (either with the car’s antilock brake system or by making engine and transmission adjustments).^{[15]
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Consumer Reports
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Go to source}
- Some TC systems only work when a car is driving slowly, while others work constantly. Take a look at your car’s owner manual to see what type of system your vehicle has.

Section 4 of 4:

Why would you want to turn off traction control?

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Turning off TC can be helpful when your car is stuck in the snow or mud. To get out of slippery or otherwise uncooperative terrain, your car wheels need to spin quickly to get traction—unfortunately, this isn’t possible with TC. Switching off TC gives your car a little more wiggle room to escape these types of terrains, so you can get back on the road ASAP.^{[16]
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Tips

You need to turn TC off in your vehicle to perform certain tricks, like donuts.

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Warnings

TC plays a really important role in keeping both you and your passengers safe when you’re on the road. Only switch off TC during an emergency, like getting stuck in mud or snow. Once your car is freed, switch TC back on right away.

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The TC symbol may light up on your dashboard when you’re driving on unsteady terrain and the TC system kicks in. If the light doesn’t go away, there might be something wrong with the sensors in your TC system—visit a mechanic so they can take a closer look.^{[17]
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