What is electronic traction control?

Electronic traction control helps your car grip the road when accelerating. It uses wheel-speed sensors to detect any time the driven wheels are spinning faster than the car's other wheels, which indicates a loss of traction – also called wheelspin. In this case, it'll cut engine power for a split second, which allows the wheel to regain contact with the road, before reapplying it and allowing you to accelerate forward. You might feel the car's traction control kick in while accelerating on slippery roads, usually accompanied by a flashing warning light in the driver's dials.