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5 minute read Published on Jan 9, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Have you ever felt your car skid or "fishtail" when driving on an icy road in the middle of winter? That moment of initial panic is exactly what traction control is designed to prevent. A traction control system is a standard safety feature found in most modern vehicles, designed to prevent wheel spin and a loss of traction.
Because Canadian winters are fraught with snow and heavy rainfall, black ice can quickly deteriorate road surface conditions, making traction control all the more important. So, how exactly does this system work? How can you tell if your vehicle has it? And how does this type of system impact your auto insurance? We've answered all of these questions and more below.
As we mentioned, traction control is a safety feature found in most modern vehicles. Specifically, it's an electronic stability control system that ensures your car’s wheels do not lose grip on the road surface, especially when accelerating or driving on slippery surfaces. Certain driving situations can cause one or more wheels to lose their grip, which in turn causes your vehicle to slip, potentially leading to a loss of control. Common scenarios where your wheels can lose traction include slippery roads due to rainy weather, freezing temperatures, and even loose gravel.
While Canadians are used to driving in slippery conditions throughout the winter, the severity and frequency of storms are becoming more severe as climate change progresses. Ultimately, your vehicle's traction control system is essential in keeping you and your passengers safe until you get to your destination.
Modern traction control systems monitor the speed of each wheel using wheel speed sensors. These sensors are part of a larger Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which prevents your wheels from locking up when you press on the brake. When the traction control system detects that one wheel is spinning faster than the others, AKA, it's lost traction, it automatically intervenes to restore your tire's grip on the road. You can think of a traction control system like someone grabbing your arm right as you're about to slip on ice.
Traction control also works hand-in-hand with other systems in your vehicle, including the electronic stability control (ESC), which helps to prevent your car from skidding or losing control when you navigate bends in the road, known as cornering. By preventing wheel spin and loss of traction, traction control improves vehicle safety and ensures that performance levels are maintained even in less-than-ideal conditions. It allows drivers to focus on where they want to go rather than worrying about whether their vehicle can handle the road ahead.
Traction control in all driving situations is ideal as it prevents individual wheels from slipping. But in Canada, where slippery surfaces are common during the winter months, this technology proves to be a valuable safety net. According to Statistics Canada, severe weather incidents in Canada cost insurers $3.1 billion in 2023. Traction control systems help to reduce the severity of crashes in snowy or rainy conditions. Here's a closer look at how your traction control system benefits you as a motorist:
Although traction control isn't meant to replace winter tires, when used together, it can maximize the safety of your vehicle. Winter tires improve grip on the road, and traction control ensures that engine power is used effectively to prevent wheel slip, especially when you're accelerating or driving uphill.
Imagine you're driving on the 401 in Ontario in deep snow. As the car ahead of you brakes, you do the same. However, when you go to accelerate once again, you find your wheels start to spin. To prevent this, your traction control will keep you moving forward in a straight line, without fishtailing.
Despite being a major safety system in vehicles, most Canadians misunderstand what traction control can and can’t do. Let's clarify some of these misconceptions below:
Nope! An anti-lock braking system helps drivers stop the vehicle safely by preventing all four individual wheels from locking up. In contrast, traction control prevents wheel slippage when you're accelerating.
Not quite. Although developed for aircraft in the 1950s, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that high-end luxury cars and premium sports cars began incorporating these systems. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, traction control systems became more common but were still mostly limited to premium vehicles due to the cost of the technology. By 2012, most vehicles were equipped with traction control, but it's still not universal, especially if you're buying a base model.
Typically, you'll want to keep your traction control on at all times. However, if you're stuck in deep snow or mud, disabling traction control can help you accelerate with more engine power to get you unstuck, while keeping it on in this scenario would reduce engine power during acceleration.
While having traction control itself doesn’t guarantee you'll be quoted for lower car insurance premiums, it can play a role in reducing your overall risk profile as a customer. In other words, the lower your risk profile, the less expensive your insurance rates will be. Some Canadian insurance companies may offer a discount to those with advanced safety features in their vehicles, like traction control, but it depends on the insurer. If you're enrolled in a usage-based insurance program or telematics insurance program, your provider is likely already monitoring your traction control system, as your acceleration patterns are recorded and used to price your premiums.
If you're unsure whether your vehicle is equipped with traction control, there are a couple of ways you can double-check:
When you turn on your vehicle’s ignition, various dashboard lights will illuminate briefly as the car performs a system check. The traction control light (often depicted as a car with tread lines or the letters “TC”) should light up and then turn off after a few seconds if the system functions correctly.
Some vehicles are also equipped with traction control buttons that allow you to engage and disable traction control. The button might say “TCS,” “ESC,” or show the same squiggly car icon as your dashboard.
If you're still unable to determine if your vehicle has traction control, check your owner's manual. As a last-ditch effort, you can also call your dealership or vehicle manufacturer directly.
Even with traction control, safe driving habits are your best defence when navigating dangerous road conditions. Here's what you need to remember:
Below, we highlight cases where traction control might not engage properly:
Worn-out tires: If your tires have no grip, no amount of technology will help you from spinning out. Ensure you're rotating your tires and replacing them to maintain traction year-round.
Travelling on black ice: Traction control helps with acceleration, not stopping. Slow down and leave extra space when travelling on icy roads.
Here’s how to handle driving when traction control can’t keep up:
Ease into acceleration: Don’t slam on the gas; ease into it to avoid slipping wheels.
Keep your tires properly inflated: Cold weather can diminish your tire pressure quickly. Under-inflated tires reduce grip on the road.
Check out our guide for more safe driving tips!
Traction control is vital for driving safely in winter conditions across Canada. Whether you're unsure about how your car's traction control affects your premiums or have other insurance questions, BrokerLink is here to help. We help Canadians purchase affordable coverage for the following policies:
ATV insurance
Motorcycle insurance
Collision car coverage
Comprehensive car coverage
Accident forgiveness
Uninsured motorist coverage
Accident benefits coverage
Liability car insurance
Contact us directly over the phone, or use our online quote tool today!
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