Traction Control System - All Wheel Drive (AWD)

The traction control system is designed to limit wheel spin by modulating engine torque, in order to achieve maximum traction, when driving on slippery or loose surfaces. On all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, the ABS module communicates with the PCM to assist with traction control. When the drive wheels lose traction and begin to spin at different speeds than the non-drive wheels, with vehicle speed under 100 km/h (62 mph), the ABS module requests the PCM to reduce engine torque while simultaneously activating the HCU to apply and release the appropriate brake caliper(s) to maintain vehicle traction. The PCM reduces engine torque by minor incremental timing changes and fewer fuel injector pulses until the ABS module ends the traction control request. The request ends when the speed of the driven wheels return to the desired speed. After the vehicle speed exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph), traction control is accomplished only through the PCM torque control.

The traction control system can be disabled by pressing the traction control switch and is indicated by the traction control light in the instrument cluster. The traction control system will reset and return to normal operation when the ignition switch is cycled or when the traction control switch is pressed and released a second time during the same ignition cycle.