Is It Safe To Drive Your Audi Q5 With ABS & Traction Control Light On? Q5 is a series of high-performing luxury crossover SUVs manufactured by the German automaker Audi (since 2008). In addition to an alluring exterior, Audi Q5 comes with an easy-to-use infotainment system, a powerful engine lineup, and a lavish interior. Besides, it also comes with advanced safety features like ETC (Off-road and traction control), an anti-lock braking system, secondary collision brake assist, stability control, front/side-impact airbags, and a driverassistance system designed to prevent or diminish the severity of an accident. Malfunctions in any of those protective features can put your safety in jeopardy. So, signs like illuminated traction control and ABS light on the dash of your Audi Q5 shouldn’t be neglected. Let’s discuss what triggers those warning lights in the first place and the way you can deal with them. To begin with, let’s converse about the importance of ABS and traction control system.
What is ABS and traction control? The ABS or anti-lock braking system essentially prevents your car wheels from locking up and skidding during an emergency braking event. By doing so, it allows you to steer your Audi Q5 to safety. Similarly, the traction control system prevents wheel spinning and maintains optimal traction between the tires and road surface. The ABS and traction control system works in close coordination with the braking system to give you better control over your vehicle. The ABS has four major parts namely; a control module, a pump, valves, and wheel speed sensors. It works on the principle of cadence and threshold braking. To prevent your car wheels from locking up and skidding, it regulates brake pressure within the brake lines. The traction control of your car prevents the wheels from spinning when you're accelerating. A minor technical deformity in ABS or traction control of your Audi Q5 can give rise to all sorts of drivability problems and you might end up in a fatal collision. Therefore, telltale signs like illuminated ABS or traction control light on the dash of your Audi Q5 should not be overlooked. You should figure out the reasons behind the emergence of those warning lights so that you can repair them on time.
Why is the ABS and traction control light on? Bad wheel speed sensors The wheel speed sensors essentially inform your car computer the speeds at which individual wheels are rotating. The ABS/traction control module uses the data received from these sensors to adjust power shifting among the wheels. However, inaccurate data provided by malfunctioning wheel speed sensors can deactivate those safety features, as a result of which you might end up in a fatal road accident. When the onboard computer finds out the inaccuracy in the wheel speed sensor readings, it would turn on the ABS and traction control warning lights to warn you about the problem. Some of the most common reasons behind wheel speed sensor failure in your Audi Q5 are as follow;
Accumulation of dirt and other contaminants Physical damage Bad wiring
Faulty ABS control module The ABS control module is a kind of microprocessor that analyzes the wheel speed sensor data in an attempt to regulate brake pressure within the system to prevent your car wheels from locking up and skidding. In addition to this, the ABS controller also regulates the operation of your vehicle’s traction control system. In simple words, they are interlinked and malfunctions in the ABS controller can turn on both the ABS and traction control light on the dash of your Audi Q5. The following reasons are solely responsible for ABS controller failure in your car.
Faulty speed sensors Damaged wiring Blown fuse Contamination
Low brake fluid As we have discussed earlier, the ABS and traction control system works in close coordination with the braking system of your vehicle. Running low on brake fluid can make it harder for them to stay operational. When the onboard computer finds out about the problem, it would trigger both the ABS and traction control light on the dash of your Audi. All you have to do is to check the brake fluid level of your car and if it's declining, consider replenishing it. It’s also worth mentioning that brake fluid contamination (or the presence of air and water molecules in the brake fluid) can give rise to ABS and traction control problems in your Audi Q5. So, it’s in your best interest to flush the brake fluid more often.
Turned off traction control This is another plausible explanation for the illumination of ABS/traction control light in a car. Traction control is an advanced safety feature that prevents your car wheels from losing grip and spinning. However, you can turn it off or on according to your requirement. If your Audi Q5's ABS or traction control light is on, you should check if its traction control is on or not.
In conclusion It's not safe to drive your Audi Q5 with a malfunctioning ABS/traction control system. So, if your ABS or traction control warning light is on, you should consult with your mechanic about the issue. For safe driving, reasons behind the illumination of such warning slights must be identified and repaired without delay.