The Hyundai traction control warning light can indicate two different concerns. If the traction control light flashes, that means driving conditions are dangerous. But if the light stays on, there may be an issue with the traction control system.
When a warning light illuminates your dashboard, do you take your vehicle straight to the car repair
shop for a diagnosis—or do you tend to ignore it? We’ve all been there! In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the common causes that may trigger your Hyundai traction control light. 
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Why your Hyundai traction control light turns on
The traction control (TCS) light
on a Hyundai vehicle can be confusing for some drivers. That’s because it can mean two different things—either to warn you of treacherous road conditions ahead or to indicate a possible problem with the traction control system. As an active safety feature, the traction control system uses active sensors on all four wheels to help monitor the vehicle’s speed and keep the grip between the tires in dangerous road conditions. Should the sensors detect an issue, the traction control module will step in to prevent your vehicle from skidding or hydroplaning. If that happens, the TCS light, which looks like a car with wavy skid lines behind the wheels, will flash to warn you of a potential problem.
But what does it mean when the traction control light stays on? If the TCS light doesn’t go away on its own, there could be an issue with one of the components involved in this system—from the control module itself to the wheels below. Let’s dig a little deeper into the potential causes of a traction control malfunction
. Temporary loss of traction
It’s completely normal for the traction control light to flash on and off when you’re driving in slippery conditions, such as heavy rain or snow
. But if the TCS light stays on (or is accompanied by other warning lights), you could have a possible issue on your hands. If this is the case, you should take your Hyundai vehicle to a local mechanic for an inspection
to get a proper diagnosis. Faulty wheel speed sensors
The most common cause of a TCS light that stays on may have to do with a faulty wheel speed sensor. Considering that these sensors are attached to your wheels, they are subject to wear and tear due to rough road conditions.
If you suspect this to be the cause of your traction control light malfunction, you should get your wheel speed sensors checked out by a local repair shop. Or, if you have an OBD-II scan tool on hand, look for trouble codes
connected with these sensors. MORE: Hyundai ABS speed sensor cost
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
Did you know that the traction control system and anti-lock brake system
work hand in hand? In fact, they actually use the same control module! If you’re experiencing issues with your anti-lock brake system, such as a brake pedal position sensor malfunction or low brake fluid, the TCS light may be triggered alongside the ABS system light
. If the traction control light and anti-lock brake system light both turn on, you’ll need to take your vehicle to the repair shop or the service center of your local Hyundai dealership to check out your stability control system.
Low tire pressure
Low tire pressure
is another common issue you may encounter when dealing with TCS troubles. The active sensors on your wheels could interpret low tire pressure as a traction control issue, thus causing the traction control light to illuminate. Your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may also prompt the TCS light to turn on. Check out your tire pressure if the TCS light turns on in your Hyundai vehicle without any other warning lights.
Broken TCS/ABS control module
If the “Service Traction Control” light comes on, there may be a problem with your Hyundai’s traction control and anti-lock braking systems. The Check Engine Light may trigger as well.
Take your vehicle to the repair shop or Hyundai dealership to get your control module inspected if this light doesn’t disappear on its own.
Traction control system turned off
Did you accidentally turn off
your traction control system? While the traction control system is always on, there’s a chance you just inadvertently turned it off, as this button is generally located near the turn signal or lower dashboard controls in your Hyundai. So before you take your vehicle to the mechanic or Hyundai dealership, make certain that you didn’t turn off this system by mistake to avoid paying any unnecessary service costs.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
You can technically drive with the traction control light on your Hyundai, but we’d advise you to do so with the utmost caution—especially in vulnerable conditions.
As we have mentioned previously, the TCS light will turn off and on when you’re driving in slippery road conditions with little traction. That’s just the traction control system doing its job! But if this light stays on, that means you could have a potential problem with the system. In this case, it’s best to take your Hyundai to a local mechanic or dealership to get this issue resolved.
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