Chevy Cruze Service Traction Control And Check Engine Light Difference

Last updated on January 13th, 2023 at 08:42 pm

Chevy Cruze Service Traction Control And Check Engine Light Difference: Today’s vehicles have computer systems that monitor and control all their components and efficiently enhance the cars. If anything goes faulty, the PCM or ECU will alert you, the driver using an indicator light on the vehicle’s dashboard.

Notwithstanding, it is troublesome and distracting for a warning light to illuminate your dashboard. Especially for the check engine light, which is inconvenient as it pops up; the moment it appears on the dash of your Chevy Cruze, you wouldn’t feel safe or even trust your vehicle any longer. Its illumination signifies severe issues from the ABS, emission systems, and engine diagnostic controls.

On the other hand, the service traction control is another indicator light on the dashboard but not as severe as the check engine light. It is a common issue on all models of Chevy Cruze and a trademark for all GMs. It is de the letters ‘TC’ or an image resembling a car with lines bending away from the tires, or it might look different due to the car model. Although, several circumstances would trigger the service traction control.

On the off chance that you are wondering about the distinctive features of the service traction control and check engine light;

Perchance this article will bring to lamplight and proffer solutions to these specific queries ranging from; differences between Chevy Cruze service traction control and check engine light, why did my traction control and check engine light come on, and what causes Chevy Cruze service traction control and check engine light.

Be it as it may be, a thorough study of this article would benefit you!

Differences Between Chevy Cruze Service Traction Control And Check Engine Light

The differences between service TC and CEL on the Chevy Cruze are below;

1. The service traction control primarily depends on weather conditions as it is associated with the TCS that detects when your vehicle’s tires lose grip with the road during windy, rainy, or even icy conditions. Still, the check engine light is independent of the weather conditions.
2. The check engine light on your Chevy Cruze leads to a difficult situation that would need immediate attention, unlike the service traction control, which you might continue to drive to some extent even when it illuminates on your vehicle’s dashboard.
3. Using an OBDII scanner, you would observe that both lights have different trouble codes in as much as they have exact causes or defective traction system might have triggered them.
4. The service traction control indicates that the traction control system works effectively to prevent the tires from slipping and allow your vehicle to move in the right direction while driving. Still, the indication of the check engine light signifies a severe issue due to faulty TCS and other defective components.
5. The service traction control is usually a prominent issue with Chevy Cruze and other GMs, unlike the check engine light issues.

Why Did My Traction Control And Check Engine Light Come On?

Without much ado, the TC and CEL would come on due to faulty wheel sensors, low tire pressure, a misfiring engine, a system programming error, and a few others. The most common cause of these lights coming on would be a lousy traction control system and malfunction due to road conditions. 

However, if these lights should in any wise come on, then it is a result of the lousy traction control system.

What Causes Chevy Cruze Service Traction Control And Check Engine Light?

The causes of the service traction control and check engine light on your Chevy Cruze are below:

1.     Defective Wheel Speed Sensors

The wheel sensor is a tachometer that calculates the rotational speed of your vehicle’s wheel. The information would go to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which determines the distance and momentum of the traveling Chevy. Be it as it may be, when necessary, the ECU utilizes the information to regulate your Chevy Cruze’s speed and initiate the traction control system. If eventually, the wheel sensors become lousy, it would cause the service traction control and check engine light to come on.

2.     Low Tire Pressure

When two or more of the tires in your Chevy Cruze are not inflated correctly to the proper level, not only does low tire pressure cause the traction control and check engine lights to come on, but it can also cause issues like a higher tendency to wear and tear of the tires and also reduced fuel efficiency.

So, once you notice traction control and check-engine lights in your Chevy Cruze, you should suspect low tire pressure. Thus, low tire pressure is one of the causes of the check engine (CEL) and traction control lights illuminating your dashboard.

3.     Traction Control System Turned-Off

If the traction system is turned-off accidentally, the deactivated traction control will turn on the subsequent warning light. Similarly, if you turned it off intentionally, it would also trigger the traction control light on, and the check engine light (CEL)) will be turned on your Chevy Cruze. On the other hand, if the TCS malfunctions as regards any faulty components, it will also trigger its light and that of the check engine light in the most severe cases.

4.     Bad Weather Condition

The Chevy Cruze service traction control and check engine light (CEL) would come on due to defective TSC and bad weather conditions like icy storms, rain, and snow. These situations could be challenging to the TCS and make it malfunction in stability and control of your vehicle’s speed, direction, and safety. It would be wiser to pull over when the weather conditions are unfavorable to avoid losing traction with the road.

5.     Programming Error 

In most cases, the programmed instructions that run the PCM and ECU fail due to some error. The Chevy Cruze service traction control (TC) and check engine light would come on immediately. To put off this warning, you would require a professional mechanic who could reprogram your system to be regular and adequate.

Note: The highlighted issues would be stored in the ECU/ECM/PCM as pending, established, or enduring codes and, perchance, would require an advanced OBDII scan tool to read and interpret the causes of the problems.

Conclusion 

Finally, the check engine light is a severe warning you should attend to immediately after it illuminates your Chevy Cruze. In contrast, the service traction control is unlike the check engine light in terms of severity. 

Notwithstanding, the most specific reason for the service traction control and the check engine light coming on is due to malfunctioning of the traction control system due to bad road conditions. Other reasons are low tire pressure, programming errors, and a defective wheel speed sensor.

So far, whenever you observe both lights come on, I recommend you contact a professional mechanic who will check your Chevy Cruze immediately using an OBDII scan tool and also proffer solutions to the causes of the warning lights triggered. Do like and share this guide on; the differences between Chevy Cruze service traction control and check engine light with others!

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