How to Turn off the TC light on a Chevy Malibu
The Traction control system, TC, forms part of the safety features in modern cars that work to detect whenever a car loses grip on the road. The system then slows the speed of the slipping car. Traction control has been a standard feature in all cars since 2012, meaning it is an additional feature in the recent Chevy Malibu models.
Typically, it is safe to drive your car with the TC light on, but you should not do so under certain conditions. If the TC light, ABS light, and red-light brake warning lights are illuminated, it could imply an issue with the entire braking system. Locating the TC button is the first step—this will depend on the car model. The best course of action would be to consult your owner’s manual for a step-wise procedure.
This article gives a detailed explanation of the traction control, and how to turn off the TC light on a Chevy Malibu.
What is Traction Control?
Driving at night and under poor weather conditions such as snowstorms or rain can be really scary. Many drivers are often engulfed by the worry of the car losing traction, hydroplaning, and possible risk of crashing. This led to the invention of the traction control, which prevents your car from losing traction at all.
The traction control system, TC, is one of the safety features that helps maintain the car’s grip between the tires and the road in dangerous and slippery conditions. It ensures that the car keeps traction by limiting the spinning of the wheels so that you can stay connected to the road surface.
This system employs active sensors located on the four wheels. These sensors work to monitor each tire, recording their speed and what they are doing. If these tires happen to spin faster than the car speed, they will lose traction and hence skid.
The traction control comes in handy at this point. It is activated when the tire spins faster than it should, and automatically slows down the vehicle speed. This way, your car can regain traction.
Nowadays, the traction control has been made a standard feature in any new car. It is possible to turn it on and off when you please, but there are several instances where you need to turn it off. Still, it is safer to leave it on.
How to turn off the TC light on a Chevy Malibu
Ideally, the traction control system should be left on even if the conditions are not dangerous. That is its default setting whenever you start your Chevy Malibu. Though rare, you may have to manually turn off the safety feature.
First, you need to locate the TC button on your Chevy Malibu. This can be a very difficult task if you do not know what you are looking for. The traction control button tends to feature a car with squiggly lines behind its tires. In most vehicles, this is usually to the bottom right or left of your steering wheel. It can show off or on, or a light illuminates to indicate whether the system is on or off.
The TC light illuminated may mean a number of things depending on the image. If the image with a car and skid marks is illuminated, it means that the system is doing its job. It could also be that there is a triangle with TCS and a light through it. This implies an issue with the system. Both these lights appear on the dashboard.
Hitting the button can switch it off, hence turning off the light. If that is not the case, the light can go off if the sensors are knocked out of place. This can happen if your hit a pothole, or run over a curb. There are different possibilities depending on the car model. Hence, it is advisable to consult your owner’s manual.
How to fix the TC light?
If the light stays on, you can try restarting your car. When it is safe, turn off your car and let it sit for a minute or two, then you can turn it on. Restarting the car often does the trick. However, if the illuminated light persists even after the restart, it is advisable to have your car checked by a certified mechanic. A professional mechanic is always well-equipped with tools and expertise to diagnose and repair the problem.
FAQs
Why should traction control always remain on?
The traction control is a safety feature and should stay on to perform its safety purposes. However, if you happen to get stuck in the sand, mud, or snow, turning off the system is advised so you can get unstuck.
Does traction control use more gas?
The traction control system does not have any effect on the gas mileage. You need not worry about the traction control impacting your fuel.
Conclusion
The traction control is a vital addition in any vehicle. It ensures that your car remains on the road regardless of the road conditions. Still, there are times when you need to turn it off. This article shows you how.
