Traction Control is an important safety feature in modern automobiles. It’s an electronic control system that prevents wheelspin (irregular spinning of the vehicle’s wheels). It is able to do so by detecting when a driven wheel is about to break traction, and then reducing engine power of the vehicle and/or applying the appropriate brakes to prevent it.

In most modern cars, traction control systems work in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The ABS sensors in a car co-relate wheel speed and road speed to detect an impending wheel lock-up, and then they activate the traction control system if the wheel speed increases in relation to road speed.

Mercedes’ M-Class employs the Four Wheel Electronic Traction System or 4ETS for better traction and driving stability. When the driving situation demands it, the Four Wheel Electronic Traction System uses micro- computers to transfer the drive torque onto both the front and rear axles of the car.

The 4ETS then goes on to systematically apply the brakes to the spinning wheels and ensures that those wheels, which have good road adhesion, are given optimum traction. In this way, this innovative system can replace conventional locking differentials.