Avensis 1.8T3X Auto

[Phil F]

Hi all,

The traction control light is sometimes coming on when going around,or coming out of,bends,resulting in the ABS coming on and trying to slow the car!...quite perturbing at times!.

It has been suggested to me that this could be caused by unevenly worn front tyres.Actually this is the case with two Bridgestones,one fairly new and one fairly old,although the old one is still well within the safe limit.On the other hand one tyre centre manager has said it is unlikely to be the tyres in his opinion,and there is probably a ABS fault.

Anybody had this fault?...I cannot remember seeing any issues here with ABS.

Cheers....Phil.

[Konrad C]

Hi Phil,

Why don't you swap one of front wheels so that they have the same amount of wear? That way the tyres will be roughly the same diameter. Also make sure they have the correct pressure.

The ABS/traction control could be oversensitive, and worn tyre is spinning quicker than the newer tyre, fooling the system to react.

Does the fault only happen when turning with the newer tyre on the inside? If the newer tyre is on the right side, turning right will cause the fault you mentioned, or visa versa. The inner tyre rotates less than the outer tyre when turning. A bigger diameter tyre(new) will rotate slower than a smaller(worn) tyre. This all adds up.

I think the system is doing it's job, but the uneven front tyres are the issue. Also it is far cheaper to swap the tyres around than fix the traction control/ABS system.

Start simple first.

I hope this makes sense.

[Phil F]

Hi Phil,

Why don't you swap one of front wheels so that they have the same amount of wear? That way the tyres will be roughly the same diameter. Also make sure they have the correct pressure.

The ABS/traction control could be oversensitive, and worn tyre is spinning quicker than the newer tyre, fooling the system to react.

Does the fault only happen when turning with the newer tyre on the inside? If the newer tyre is on the right side, turning right will cause the fault you mentioned, or visa versa. The inner tyre rotates less than the outer tyre when turning. A bigger diameter tyre(new) will rotate slower than a smaller(worn) tyre. This all adds up.

I think the system is doing it's job, but the uneven front tyres are the issue. Also it is far cheaper to swap the tyres around than fix the traction control/ABS system.

Start simple first.

I hope this makes sense.

Hi Konrad,

Thanks for that.Yes,I have two newish tyres on the rear,I think I will get them swopped around and see what happens.

Phil.