When you see the traction control light and the ABS light come on and stay on the dashboard of your 2016 Ford Escape, it could mean one of three things: either your anti-lock brake system
(ABS) is experiencing problems, there’s an issue with your tracking control system, or there’s a problem with your TCS/ABS control center. Seeing new lights appear on your dashboard is never fun, but do the ABS and traction control lights in your 2016 Ford Escape warrant a trip to a car repair
shop? Let’s take a closer look at what these lights do in your car to help you understand the implications. Why your Ford Escape traction control light turns on
The traction control (TCS) light
in your Ford Escape is meant to warn drivers of a loss of traction—so if you see this light come on while you’re driving, it probably means your traction control system is working exactly how it’s meant to. Using sensors, your Ford will keep an eye on the speed of each wheel and any potential loss of traction in slippery conditions. Your vehicle sends this information to a computer that will automatically apply the brakes or reduce power to keep you from skidding, which increases traction in your tires.
However, when the TCS light and/or ABS light comes on and doesn’t turn off, this could indicate that your tracking control system is not working exactly properly. This might indicate a problem with your braking and TCS systems, such as a traction control malfunction
. In these cases, visiting the mechanic is a good idea, since driving without your TCS could cause you to slip and slide in less-than-perfect driving conditions. The following list represents all of the reasons that your TCS and ABS lights may have turned on. Take a look to see which one fits!
Temporary loss of traction
If you’re driving in heavy rain or snow, you might notice your TCS and/or ABS lights come on. This is normal and expected, as this serves as an indicator that your braking system is functioning as it should. In these cases, you’ll likely notice the light turning on and off as the system engages and disengages.
If the light stays on for an extended period of time, however, you could be dealing with a different problem. In these cases, it’s best to have a professional take a look at your car to ensure that it’s operating as it should.
Faulty wheel speed sensors
One of the most common causes of a TCS malfunction in the Ford Escape is a failing wheel speed sensor. Wheel sensors are an integral part of your TCS/ABS system because they detect a loss of traction and trigger the system. When those sensors malfunction, it can cause the system to be triggered seemingly at random.
In this case, it’s best to talk to your mechanic. They’ll be able to replace the failing sensor for you and turn off the warning lights if necessary.
An ABS malfunction
Since the ABS and TCS share a control module in your Ford Escape, it’s easy for one system to be triggered by the other. Sometimes, a failing ABS will trigger your TCS light, too. This is pretty common for the 2016 Escape in particular, and many drivers have reported this issue.
In this case, talk to your mechanic right away. Driving with malfunctioning ABS can be dangerous!
Low tire pressure
When your vehicle has low tire pressure
, the wheel sensors might interpret it as a loss of traction. This can cause your TCS to be triggered. However, it’s very unlikely that this problem would be paired with an ABS light, too. Typically, low tire pressure is only the solution when the TCS light is the only light that turns on.
MORE: How often to check your car’s tire pressure
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If the control module for your TCS and ABS systems breaks, you’ll see both lights turn on at once to indicate the issue. This is another situation that requires you to go straight to your mechanic, since you’ll need to get your TCS/ABS module fixed as quickly as possible.
Traction control system turned off
If you turn off your traction control system
using the button on the left-hand side of your dashboard, it can cause your TCS light to turn on. While it’s not easy to turn this system off by accident, it’s certainly not impossible. Check to be sure that your system is on before you take your Ford to the shop. Can you drive with the traction control light on?
While you can drive with the traction control light and/or ABS light on, you might find it difficult to control your car in bad driving conditions. As such, it’s best to talk to your mechanic if you can’t find the root of the issue on your own.
Driving without traction control or ABS could easily cause a car accident if the driving conditions are less than ideal. As such, getting these warning lights checked out will make sure that you’re safe in your Ford no matter the weather.
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