Can you turn off traction control while driving?

Traction control is one of those electronic safety features that makes driving a lot easier—and safer. Think of it as your car’s safety net, always keeping an eye on the road to prevent your wheels from spinning out. It’s especially handy in tricky conditions like rain, snow, or loose gravel, giving you more confidence and less to worry about. But here’s a question: can you turn it off while you’re driving? And are there moments when you actually should? Let's find out.

Is it safe to turn off traction control while driving?

So, can you turn it off while driving? Technically, yes, but it’s not a good idea—and here’s why. Traction control is an important safety feature designed to help you maintain car control, especially in unpredictable situations. Turning it off won’t give you any performance boost, and you never know when you might need it. Imagine using your defensive driving skills to quickly accelerate to avoid something, only to hit a slick spot—like a puddle, oil spill, or sand dropped from a truck. That’s where traction control can save the day.

Traction control systems use a vehicle’s ABS (anti-lock brake system) for more than just stopping power. When needed, it applies braking force to the wheels with the least grip, transferring power to the ones with better traction. In many cars with electronic throttle control, the system can even reduce engine power to match the current road conditions.

Your car’s computer reacts to road conditions faster and more accurately than any human could in a tricky moment. So, leaving traction control on is almost always the best choice.

What is traction control?

The traction control system is one of those standard safety features in most modern cars that helps keep you steady on the road. Its job is to stop your wheels from spinning out or losing grip, especially when you’re accelerating or driving on slippery surfaces.

How does traction control work? It kicks in when one or more of your tires start to slip or spin. This can happen for all sorts of reasons—maybe the road is wet, icy, snow-covered, or covered in loose gravel or sand. It’s also common during quick changes in driving, like sharp acceleration, cornering, or hitting an unexpected patch of road trouble. In short, it’s there to keep you in control when the road conditions are working against you.

Are there times when I should turn traction control off?

For most driving situations, traction control is your best friend, working to keep you safe and in control. It’s a feature you’ll want to leave on pretty much all the time while you’re on the road. That said, there are a few specific scenarios where keeping traction control on might actually cause some issues. Let’s take a closer look at when those situations might come up:

When your car gets stuck

Traction control is great for helping you stay on course in rain or snow, but there are times when it can work against you—like if your car gets stuck in snow or sand. When that happens, it’s usually because one of your wheels is spinning but not gaining any traction.

It might seem like keeping traction control on would help, but here’s the thing: the system cuts power to the spinning wheel, and sometimes, it reduces power so much that you can’t move at all.

In this situation, you’re better off turning your traction control off. This allows you to use the “rocking” method to free your car: back up a few inches, then move forward a few inches, repeating until you build enough momentum to break free.

When driving uphill on gravel or slippery surfaces

Another time traction control might not be your best friend is when you’re tackling a long, steep or curvy snowy hill. You may think traction control would help in this situation, but it can actually cause issues. By cutting power to the wheels when they start to slip, the system might leave you stuck, unable to move forward. That’s not just frustrating—it can be dangerous.

In this case, it’s better to turn traction control off and gently work your way up the hill. Having snow tires, chains, or cables will make the climb a lot easier and safer.

When your wheels lose traction

If you hit a muddy patch and your wheels are losing traction, turning off traction control might actually help you:

• Regain momentum by allowing the tires to spin freely to help clear mud from the treads, giving them a better chance of finding traction and moving you forward.
• Have an easier time manoeuvring by letting the wheels slip just enough to adapt to the terrain.

When accelerating on slippery or icy roads

Traction control is designed to limit wheel slippage and keep your car stable, especially on slick surfaces like ice. However, there are moments where temporarily disabling it on a slippery or icy road might actually work in your favour.

Turning off traction control lets you control how much your wheels spin. A little gentle wheel spin can help your tires dig in and keep moving forward on an icy road. Also, on extremely slippery surfaces, traction control can sometimes be overly cautious, cutting power too abruptly and making your car’s behaviour feel unpredictable. Disabling it gives you smoother, more consistent acceleration.

That said, keeping traction control on is usually the safer option, especially if there’s traffic around or conditions are particularly tricky. Use caution if you decide to turn it off.

When you're driving competitively

In high-performance driving, like track racing, experienced drivers sometimes want a bit more wheel slip to really push the car to its limits. Traction control can feel like it’s holding the car back in these situations, so some drivers prefer to turn it off to maximize performance and control.

How do I turn off traction control?

To turn off traction control, just look for a button labelled something like “TCS,” “TC,” “ESC” (Electronic Stability Control), “DSC” (Dynamic Stability Control), or “VSC” (Vehicle Stability Control). Some cars use an icon of a car with squiggly lines underneath to represent traction control. You’ll usually find the button on the dashboard, center console, or near the gear shift.

Once you've found the button, press and hold the TCS button for a few seconds; in some cars, just a quick press toggles the traction control on and off. However, in many vehicles, a brief press might only partially disable the system, while holding the button longer will completely turn off both traction and stability control.

Most modern cars have a traction control button you can use to turn it off, but keep in mind that some vehicles automatically turn it back on at the start of a new trip, at certain speeds, or when specific driving conditions are detected. If you don’t see a dedicated traction control button, don’t worry—just check your vehicle’s manual. It will have the exact instructions for your car model.

Nevertheless, the process for turning it off can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so it’s always a good idea to check your owner’s manual for the exact steps.

Don't forget to turn it back on

If you ever need to turn off traction control in one of those situations we mentioned above, don’t forget to turn it back on once you’re past the worst of the slippery stuff. Remember, traction control is your ally when you’re driving at normal speeds on clear roads. Having traction control activated helps keep your car predictable and easy to handle, which is what you’re used to. Turning it back on puts you back in your comfort zone and gives you the best shot at reaching your destination safely.

Learn more with BrokerLink

While traction control is an excellent safety feature, it’s not always something you can rely on to fix every tricky driving situation. It’s designed to help prevent wheel spin and improve stability, but it doesn’t guarantee perfect handling or grip in a few situations. The real benefit of traction control is that it helps you maintain control during acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces like snow, ice, or gravel. That said, driving cautiously and adapting to road conditions is always your best defence—traction control is there to assist, not replace safe driving habits.

Even with traction control, accidents can still happen—that’s where having the right car insurance makes all the difference. Collision coverage, while not mandatory, can be a smart addition depending on your vehicle and budget. A BrokerLink car insurance advisor can walk you through optional coverages like collision, explain their benefits, and help you understand the cost of adding them to your policy. We’re here to make sure you’re protected when it matters most.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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FAQs on driving traction

What happens if you turn off traction control while driving?

When traction control is turned off, you might notice your car handles a bit differently, especially on slippery surfaces. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep it on most of the time. However, while traction control is great for everyday driving, the option to turn it off is available for specific situations or personal preferences. Just be careful—disabling it can reduce your car’s stability and control in regular driving conditions, which could make things a lot trickier than you’re used to.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.