Your BMW is equipped with a traction control system that helps keep your vehicle stable while on difficult roads. If the light is illuminated, it may mean the system has engaged—or it may mean you have a larger problem on your hands.
When most dashboard lights come on, it spells trouble. Fortunately, that’s not always the case when it comes to the traction control light. If you see that little yellow triangle light up in your BMW, you don’t have to immediately brace for an expensive car repair
. Instead, think about the conditions of the road you’re on. But if the roads are clear and the light stays on instead of turning back off, you’ll want to start troubleshooting. We’ll go over some of the most common reasons the traction control light will turn on.
Why your BMW traction control light turns on
The traction control light
is meant to illuminate. It lets you know that the traction control system (TCS) has engaged and that your driving will be more stable. But what causes it to engage? To understand that, we’ll first explain what it does. The TCS senses whether or not your vehicle’s tires have an appropriate amount of grip on the road. If this is not the case, it will adjust the amount of energy going to all of the wheels to reduce the chance of skidding. When roads are snowy or icy or there are heavy rains, the chances of your tires losing traction are higher. The TCS will usually come on—and so will the light—in these kinds of conditions.
On your BMW, this light will look like a small yellow triangle in a circle. You will also see the TCS referred to as Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which is one small part of BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. Most models come standard with DSC, including the BMW X1
and BMW X7
. You can turn this feature off by pressing a button on the console, though this makes driving more unsafe. Even so, you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t have it interfering. If you’re trying to drive through a snowbank or have tire chains on, you should manually disengage the system so your vehicle will actually move.
DTC works just like any other TCS—if the light comes on and stays on, you have an issue somewhere. Whether it be in the sensors, the brakes, or even the battery, the issue will have to be addressed.
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Temporary loss of traction
This is the best-case scenario—you’re on a slippery stretch of your road and your DTC light flickers to life. Once you’ve navigated to more solid ground, it blips right back off and you go about the rest of your drive as usual. This means there’s nothing to worry about—everything is functioning as it should. You should not need to make any repairs or get your vehicle checked out.
But if the light does not turn off or if other warning lights come on at the same time, you should prepare yourself for a trip to the mechanic.
MORE: Common problems with BMWs
Sensor failure
There are multiple sensors involved in the DSC system and if any one of them fails, it can cause the DTC light to illuminate. Common failures are found in the wheel sensors since there are four of them and they experience significant wear and tear
over time. The inability of the wheel to send information about its grip to the DSC causes issues. Luckily, this should be a fairly easy fix. Another sensor to check might be the steering angle sensor. This lets your vehicle know what way it should be turning—another aspect that, if broken, can throw off the DSC. If the DTC light is having trouble, check the sensor or the wiring.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
The ABS and the DSC have several components that are connected, which means that a problem in one can trigger the warning light of the other. If you’ve checked the sensors and all is well, try looking at your brake fluid levels or the ABS pump to see if those are in good condition. They might be the source of your woes.
This particular problem should be fixed right away by an expert. Brakes are an essential part of your vehicle, and repairs shouldn’t be delayed!
MORE: What is an engine misfire?
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Electrical or battery problems
A persistent DTC light might also be caused by a low-voltage battery or a worn connection. Too little energy from the battery and the DSC won’t be able to run, prompting the DTC light to show up. The solution may be as simple as getting the battery replaced!
MORE: How can I remove my BMW battery?
DSC control module problems
The DSC is closely connected to the ABS and uses its control module to run. Should a breakdown occur in the control module, the DTC light will most likely turn on. If you are not seeing brake warning lights as well, this is probably not the issue.
If a combination of brake lights and the DTC light is illuminated, this is something worth looking at.
MORE: BMW ABS control module replacement
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
Because the DTC light is part of normal driving functions, yes, your BMW will run even if the light is illuminated. When you’re driving on treacherous roads, you don’t have to worry—as long as it shuts off when you’re back in stable conditions, you can continue using your vehicle as normal.
You should think twice about driving around if you suspect there is a deeper issue at hand. When the light refuses to turn off or there are other warning lights lit up, the only place you should take your car is the mechanic. While issues like faulty sensors shouldn’t cause much trouble, the problem can be something more serious—like your brake system. It never hurts to take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out!
“Insurance companies originally charged me $189 while driving my BMW 300 miles per year. Thanks to Jerry
, I only pay $56! I’m so happy.” —Ray T.
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