What does traction control do in a vehicle?

Traction control is a system designed to enhance vehicle stability and performance by preventing wheel spin, particularly during acceleration. When a vehicle encounters slippery conditions, such as wet or icy roads, the wheels can start to rotate faster than the vehicle is moving. This loss of grip can lead to a loss of control.

By activating brake sensors, the traction control system identifies when one or more wheels are losing traction. It then intervenes by applying the brakes to those spinning wheels, thus allowing more power to be directed to the wheels that have better traction. This process effectively helps to maintain stability and control under challenging driving conditions, ensuring that the vehicle can accelerate safely without skidding or losing control.

The other options reflect different vehicle systems or functionalities that do not pertain to the primary purpose of traction control. For instance, preventing acceleration entirely would not be effective or safe in typical driving situations, while enhancing steering response is typically managed by other systems, such as power steering. Additionally, limiting engine power during braking is not the function of traction control, as the goal is to manage power during acceleration rather than to restrict it in braking scenarios.