What the Dashboard Warning Lights Mean in Your Car

What it means: When a tire that’s getting power from the engine loses grip, the traction control system (TCS) activates and this light flashes. This usually happens because the car has detected that one wheel is spinning significantly faster than the others, so it limits power and uses the brakes to maintain grip. This improves overall traction and prevents dangerous skidding.

What to do if it lights up: If it flashes briefly, don’t panic—that just means the TCS was active. If the light is on continuously, there’s a problem with the system or it is turned off. It can be dangerous to drive without TCS, so take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible.