Traction Control System - Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

The traction control system is designed to limit wheel spin by modulating engine torque, in order to achieve maximum traction, when driving on slippery or loose surfaces. On front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, the ABS module sends the PCM wheel speed information over the high-speed controller area network (HS-CAN) bus. The PCM uses this information to determine if traction control is necessary. When the drive wheels lose traction and begin to spin at different speeds than the non-drive wheels, the PCM reduces engine torque to maintain vehicle traction by minor incremental timing changes and fewer fuel injector pulses until the speed of the driven wheels return to the desired speed. The PCM also sends a request to the instrument cluster to flash the traction control indicator.

The traction control system can be disabled by pressing the traction control switch and is indicated by the traction control indicator in the instrument cluster. The traction control system will reset and return to normal operation when the ignition switch is cycled or when the traction control switch is pressed and released a second time during the same ignition cycle.