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What Is Traction Control On A Jeep Wrangler? (Explained)

Traction control is an integral part of every Jeep Wrangler. Do you know about this component, despite the fact that you drive your Jeep every day? Also, do you know what purpose the traction control even serves? 

A traction control system is mainly an auxiliary safety system in your vehicle’s mainframe. It is responsible for providing friction to the ball bearings of your brakes, depending on the situation and terrain. 

However, that is not all there is to this system. In this article, we will be covering everything that you would need to know regarding traction control in your Jeep Wrangler. So scroll down below and keep reading! 

What Is Traction Control On A Jeep Wrangler?

Traction control is a fundamental safety system. It is used to provide the appropriate amount of friction needed in the Jeep Wrangler, depending on the vehicle’s surface. 

It works together with various sensors in the Jeep’s wheel. It detects when exactly you are pressing the brakes and then sends signals to the wheels to slow down the spinning at a specific rate and eventually stop. 

Additionally, it also decreases the reaction force on the engine when braking. 

According to Newton’s third law, an opposite force of equal magnitude should act on it when a body brakes. In the case of the Jeep wrangler, the traction control helps decrease the opposing force on the automobile. 

Hence, the passengers will only feel a lower or ‘watered-down’ recoil from the total opposite force. 

What Is The Benefit Of Jeep Wrangler Traction Control?

If your Jeep doesn’t have Traction control, there are a lot of benefits that you are missing out on. We have compiled and listed some of these points and their details below. 

Of course, just because your Jeep Wrangler features a Traction control doesn’t mean that you will be able to enjoy all of these advantages. We have only included benefits that will be able to give you a general outlook. 

1. Safe For Rough Weathers

Traction control systems shine the best when the surface has lowered friction. In such cases, you might not be able to brake without having some demerits. 

Its control mechanism allows the ball bearings in the wheel to slow down and stop when you press on the brakes. As such, traction control systems are great for snowy or rainy terrains. 

2. Simple Infrastructure

There is nothing complicated about the way that the traction system has been built inside your vehicle. They even share the same network architecture as the ABS system most of the time.

The main advantage of this simplicity is that you will not need a lot of time or complicated technicalities if you want to change the old system. Pop the screws out, and you can place the new system in place of the old one. 

3. Avoiding Uncertain Accidents

Traction control works together with the ABS to provide the driver with a safe environment and experience. They will decrease the reaction time and treble of the vehicle when you press the brake. 

As a result, the stopping is almost instantaneous, depending on how far the thing in front of you is. Additionally, the system also detects if there is any rotation of the wheels and takes measures accordingly. 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Jeep Wrangler Traction Control?

Just having traction control in your Jeep Wrangler doesn’t ensure smooth operations. There are also several disadvantages to this. We have listed these points below along with their details in brief. 

1. High Cost

Traction controls might have simple core architecture. However, it is manufactured with a very sophisticated and high functioning gear. As a result, buying the entire system from scratch can be very expensive. 

The maintenance of the traction is also very high. Not only do you need to replace the gears at regular intervals, but these components also cost a fortune. 

Additionally, these components do not have a good positioning inside the system. Hence they are quite prone to breaking without any prior warnings. 

2. Limited Use

Traction control systems might not be the best component in certain places. For instance, if you live in a warm country, there won’t be too many functions that the traction control can carry out. 

In addition, many professionals claim that having a traction control switched on can throttle the Jeep significantly. As such, it will not reach its full potential at all the times when the traction is switched on. 

When Should You Turn Off Traction Control Of Jeep Wrangler?

Several scenarios can require you to turn the traction off. We have compiled some of these situations that can you out and displayed them below. 

Do note that just because we are giving these scenarios doesn’t necessarily mean that it is mandatory that you turn the traction off.

Faulty ABS module:

We have already mentioned the fact that the traction control works together with the ABS system to carry out its functions.

Since they are both interconnected, it is better to switch the traction off if the ABS module breaks.  Otherwise, keeping it on will only cause the warning lights to flash continuously. 

Low pressure in the tire:

The traction system uses sensors in the wheel to detect motion and take measures accordingly. 

However, if the tires have lower pressure, then this could mess up the sensors. As a result, the traction control could also act up and not work the same way you want it to. 

In these situations, it is advised that you keep the traction off lest it causes some sort of misunderstanding. 

Low Fluid Levels:

The usage of traction controls also influences low fluid levels. If your vehicle has dangerously low fluid levels in its engine, you can cut down on the consumption by switching several functions off. 

Traction control counts as one of these functions. Since it is nothing too major, you can definitely drive even without traction. 

Low battery:

If you do not have enough battery power at a certain point in time, you can choose to turn the traction off; This will allow you to conserve the energy and distribute it to more important places.

However, in the case that you keep the traction on despite low power, the vehicle’s battery will run out even faster than expected. 

Does Jeep Wrangler Traction Control Use More Gas?

Traction control doesn’t affect the rate of gas expenditure. In fact, it doesn’t use gas in the first place. No amount of gasoline or diesel gives power to the traction control system. 

The traction system is part of an extensive network of electrical modules that draw power from the battery. 

That is why the more powerful electric power there is in the battery, the longer the system will work on a single charge.

Can You Drive Jeep Wrangler Without Traction Control?

Yes, you can drive your Jeep Wrangler without switching the Traction Control. As a matter of fact, traction control doesn’t affect how you drive your vehicle. 

This is just an auxiliary safety system responsible for taking care of the brakes and ensuring that the car doesn’t slip in any unpredictable terrain. 

It doesn’t matter at all whether you are going to drive your car with or without the traction control system. 

Conclusion

With the vast amount of money associated with both purchasing and maintaining the system, it is pretty reasonable if you are getting second thoughts.

But do note down that there will be several advantages that you will be compromising if you are against this installation. Not only is this a question of comfort, but this also involves your safety in the long run. 

If you are willing to spend a huge amount of money on the traction system, you will understand how lucky you actually are!

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