Traction Control light and a bad accident!

Aloha!
I have a 2010 4x4.
Recently had the upper and lower ball joints replaced. Afterward the traction control light came on.
Took it back twice to the shop that worked on it and they were unable to get it off.
A few days ago I was involved in a pretty bad accident on the fwy.
Lots of rain and going about 50mph my truck hit a puddle and spun out of control.
The vehicle that hit me rolled. Thank God no one was hurt!
Can anyone tell me what the traction control does exactly?
And if that light comes on is a feature on the truck disabled that might have given me more traction during the above incident?
Any feed back is greatly appreciated!

Steve

 

No amount of traction control can overcome either having bald tires or driving too fast for conditions.

If your traction control light is on, the issue isn’t necessarily traction control related either. I’ve always had an accompanying check engine light as well but never had anything wrong except a bad gas cap.

 

Sorry about your accident. Traction control is designed to kick in when it detects wheel slip while on throttle. Hydro-planing is not a situation where it would have helped.

 

Sorry about the accident. Glad it sounds like everyone is okay or at least wasn't seriously injured.

Since it sounds like a serious accident and others were involved, I do have a caution for you. If there is a lawsuit started or you believe one is pending you may not want to consult internet forums and social media for thoughts and advice on anything related to this incident without first consulting your own lawyer on the case if you have not already done so.

Best of luck on the best possible outcome for you and all those involved.

 

Traction control on = No donuts
Traction control off = Lots of donuts

 

That's why I leave my traction control on. I'm afraid all those donuts might attract the cops!

 

You and me both, man.

These glazed are fire.

 

Traction control is more for slow speed situations. If you've got one rear wheel on ice and the other on dry pavement a vehicle without traction control will send power to the wheel on ice and you don't move. Traction control taps into your ABS system and senses that one wheel is spinning and the other is not. It will apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel forcing the other wheel, the one with traction, to turn.

At times it is helpful, and it is a PITA at other times. If in muddy conditions the brakes are constantly being applied to one wheel or the other to prevent wheel spin. Is better to turn it off and just let the wheels spin. If you don't it is like driving while dragging an anchor behind you. I live on a steep hill with a 90 degree turn about 1/2 way up. I normally hit it with a little speed to get up easier. But on wet pavement it is normal for one rear wheel to spin slightly in the curve. The traction control will grab my brakes in the turn and dramatically slow me down just when I need the momentum.

 

Does 2010 have VSC? I wonder if the VSC wasn't calibrated, could that have sent the truck out of control? I wonder if the black box data would show if the VSC kicked in.

 

Thanks guys!
I’m really ignorant when it comes to the traction control and how it works.
So if the light is on...
The traction control is disabled?
And from what I’m hearing...
If it was disabled... In rainy conditions at a speed of around 45 mph it could have been a factor in why I lost control of the vehicle?
I ask because I want to get some feed back that I can take to the shop who worked on my truck and which caused the traction control light to come on in the first place.

 

Was 50, now it's 45 and also, no. Take some responsibility man. Your accident would have happened with or without traction control.

Even if we all pretend like traction control would have made a difference. It's YOUR responsibility to make sure your vehicle is road worthy before you operate it on the road. It is also YOUR responsibility to drive in a safe manner, conditions included.

 

Did you hear a beeping sound when you were spinning out of control?

 

Surely he was all on the brakes anyway.

 

ABS is anti-lock braking which would aid in stopping
Traction control is to limit and control traction while accelerating.

It sounds like you are confusing the function of the two aids in helping you stop.

 

I was going between 45-50mmph
In no way am I trying not see my part in the accident.
I went back twice to the shop that worked on my truck and they said it was just a sensor and i needed to take it to Toyota and get the computer cleared.
All I’m trying to learn is more about what the traction control actually does and if not having it might have been a factor.
Thanks guys for your feedback.

 

VSC might have been a factor.