The Chevrolet Equinox traction control warning light can mean several different things. It may simply appear to inform you that the system is on or off, but if it’s accompanied by a “service traction control” message, there may be an underlying problem with the system.
It can be unsettling when your traction control light on your Equinox turns on, especially if you’ve never noticed it before. So, what does it mean when it appears? And can you keep driving while it’s on?
Here’s what to know about how the Equinox’s traction control works, when to see a mechanic for car repairs
, and some common culprits that can cause problems with the system. MORE: How to lower Chevrolet Equinox insurance costs
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Why your Equinox traction control light turns on
The traction control (TCS) light can certainly be one of the more ominous indicator lights on your Equinox—and also one of the more confusing ones. Your Equinox’s traction control light might not automatically mean there’s a problem. Sometimes, it may only be informing you whether the system is on or off. Other times, it will mean an issue has been detected somewhere in the system and it needs to be serviced.
The Equinox has two related but distinct systems that help you maintain control of your vehicle in challenging, slippery driving conditions. The traction control system (TCS) helps limit wheel spin, and its StabiliTrak system helps maintain directional control. As a default, both are automatically engaged once you turn on your vehicle.
Leaving both systems on during normal driving conditions is recommended, but in some situations, it might be better to turn one or both features off—such as if you’re stuck in ice, snow, or mud, or if you’re using tire chains.
You can turn your Equinox’s traction control off manually by pressing the “StabiliTrak Off” button—it looks like a vehicle with curved tire trails behind it and the word “Off” below it. After you press it, you should see an indicator light on your instrument cluster telling you it’s off—it has the letters “TC” inside a horseshoe shape with a slash through it. This light should stay on until you turn the traction control back on.
To turn off both traction control and StabiliTrak in your Equinox, you’ll press and hold the same button until both the traction control and “StabiliTrak Off” symbols display, along with the applicable message on your dashboard. To turn both systems back on, you can simply press the StabiliTrak button again.
The key to understanding what your traction control light means is to pay attention to the text that appears along with it:
StabiliTrak Off: The StabiliTrak system has turned off.
Traction Control Off: The Equinox’s TCS has turned off.
Traction Control On: This message briefly appears when the TCS turns on initially.
Service Traction Control: A problem has been detected with the TCS that should be inspected and repaired.
Service StabiliTrak: A problem has been discovered with the StabiliTrak system that needs to be addressed.
You can check your owner’s manual to find more information on how your Equinox’s StabiliTrak and traction control systems work.
If you’re getting a “Service Traction Control” message from your Equinox, here are some common traction control malfunction
causes. MORE: Chevrolet common problems
Temporary loss of traction
If you’re driving in slippery conditions, it’s possible your traction control light might turn on temporarily
But if you have a “Service Traction Control” message that’s staying on even after driving conditions improve, it’s more likely there’s a problem with the system, meaning you’ll want to schedule an appointment with a mechanic for a traction control system inspection
. Faulty wheel speed sensors
An important component of the Equinox’s traction control and StabiliTrak systems are its wheel speed sensors. These help the systems monitor wheel movement to detect potential slippage and respond accordingly to help you maintain control of your vehicle.
When sensors become dirty or outright fail, it could trigger warning messages to appear on your dashboard. You may be able to check for this yourself if you have an OBD-II scanner, or you can have a mechanic take a look for you.
MORE: Wheel speed sensor replacement cost
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) control module malfunction
On some vehicles, the anti-lock brake (ABS) system and the traction control system will share the same control module. If something is wrong with the ABS control module, your traction control warning light might illuminate, along with the ABS system light
. Because of the range of problems that could cause these lights to turn on, it’s best to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible to get to the root of the problem.
Missing ABS tone ring
Part of your wheel’s setup involves an ABS tone ring, and the movement of this component is what your sensor uses to measure your wheel speed. If this part breaks off of one or more of your wheels, just like with an ABS control module malfunction—or any other part of the ABS system, for that matter—this problem will often cause both your traction control and ABS indicator lights to turn on.
MORE: Abs speed sensor replacement cost
Low tire pressure
Low tire pressure can also be a culprit behind the TCS light turning on since it could potentially affect the wheel speed sensors’ readings. It’s a good idea to double-check your tire pressure if this light comes on.
Problems with your Equinox’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) itself could also contribute to this problem.
MORE: What to do if your car’s tire pressure warning light is on
Traction control system turned off
The Equinox’s traction control and StabiliTrak systems are designed to remain on as a default, but as mentioned above, you can turn them off
manually. To spare yourself a needless trip to the auto shop, it never hurts to check whether you might have accidentally bumped the StabiliTrak button yourself. If you still get a message saying the system is off when you try to turn it back on, even after restarting your vehicle, it’s possible there might be a problem with the system.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
You should generally still be able to drive your Equinox with a TCS or StabiliTrak light on, but it could be dangerous in slippery conditions.
When one or both systems aren’t working properly, your vehicle might not respond the way you expect to ice, snow, or other challenging conditions, which could put you at greater risk of getting into an accident.
If you have a system warning light that remains on even after some troubleshooting, you’ll want to have a mechanic inspect it and make any necessary repairs so you can keep driving safely.
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