A 2013 Dodge Avenger's ABS and traction control light coming on isn’t necessarily bad–it lights up for a short time if the traction system is kicking in. However, if the light continues to shine, it could be a defective sensor or fuse, low brake fluid or tire pressure, or an ABS issue.
Okay, so how do you decide if you should worry? Do you drive to the nearest auto repair
? We’ll go over the most likely reasons your 2013 Dodge Avenger ABS and traction control light might come on and what you can do. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Why your 2013 Dodge Avenger traction control light turns on
The traction control (TCS) light
can turn on for multiple reasons if you have a 2013 Dodge Avenger, and the most common is to tell you the traction control system is working. What is this light even for then? The traction control system is responsible for tracking your wheels’ speed with sensors in case you start to lose traction. If one or more wheels run into problems, these sensors alert the traction control module so it applies the brakes. Your TRAC light pops on when this happens–it looks like a car with squiggly lines under it.
Your 2013 Dodge Avenger traction control is part of a larger system connected to the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). They help keep you from losing control when road conditions aren’t safe, like when it’s icy. Your owner’s manual
gives you information about how they work with the braking system. However, thanks to everything working together, there are multiple reasons why the ABS and traction control light might pop up. If you notice more than one warning light on your dashboard, it could be one of the other systems. Here are some possible things happening if you have a traction control malfunction
. Temporary loss of traction
This light isn’t necessarily bad–the traction control system activating can trigger the light. The wheels can lose traction if you travel in bad weather, such as rain or snow
, so you will likely notice the TSC light blinking on and off. You should only be concerned when the light doesn't go out or additional warning lights show up. If that occurs, get your Dodge Avenger checked at a repair shop
. Faulty wheel speed sensors
One item at the top of the list is a possible faulty wheel speed sensor
. The sensors are attached to the wheels, so they take a lot of damage over time. At some point, they just stop working properly. If you notice that the traction control light won’t shut off, you’ll want to get the wheel speed sensors tested with an OBD-II scan tool to look for trouble codes
. That will help you determine if it’s the sensor. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
The anti-lock brake system
module could also be acting up. The module helps control the ABS system, and you want to work anti-lock brakes! Problems like low brake fluid can also be to blame, so check your brake fluid levels
. One possible tipoff it’s the ABS is if both the traction control and ABS system lights
are on. Make sure to take your car to a mechanic to get things checked. Low tire pressure
Something as simple as low tire pressure
affects the TCS system. If one or more tires get too low, the sensors can misread it as the wheels skidding, triggering the TCS light. Another possibility is that the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) isn’t working properly. Check your tires
if the traction control light stays on, but there are no other warning lights.Broken TCS/ABS control module
Your control module for the traction control and anti-lock braking systems also be the culprit. Fuses stop working or a wire comes loose—there can be several reasons it isn’t functioning properly. A problem with the control module also turns on the traction light.
You know to suspect the control module when the light is on, even though road conditions are good. A mechanic can check whether the control module is functioning as expected.
Traction control system turned off
While the traction control system should always be on, there is a way to shut it off
thanks to the “ESC Off” button. But what if you forget to turn the TCS back on or bump it without realizing it? If this is why the light stays on, you should see the word “off” below the traction light image. Fortunately, this is an easy fix–just push the “ESC Off” button and the traction system will turn back on.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
Is it even a good idea to keep driving your 2013 Dodge Avenger with the traction control light on? You can continue to drive your car, just be careful while you do, particularly if the roads are not great.
Remember, the traction light can pop on if the system is kicking in, so if the light is only on for a bit, you’re okay. It’s just a concern if the light stays on or other warning lights go off at the same time. Traction control keeps you safe, so it’s important to get your car checked if you suspect there’s an issue!
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