What does traction control actually do, and when would you turn it off?

I have a 2000 trans am, with traction control and a button to turn it off. what does it do, and why would u want it off?What does traction control actually do, and when would you turn it off?
Traction control uses a wheel speed sensor to determine when 1 wheel loses traction (spins faster than the other,) and applies the brake to that wheel to help it regain traction.


If you want to do any spirited driving, you wouldn't want the brakes to be clamping down all the time, so you'd turn off the TC and manage the slippage with your right foot.


Acceleration from a dead stop is adversely effected by TC, because it slows down your wheels at launch. -OR- Sometimes you might like to get a little sideways to drift around a corner (in a controlled racetrack environment, of course) and TC will not allow that.


*EDIT*


Well, thank you. You're not that crusty, after all. (but you are correct about 2 types of traction control, I stand corrected.) Isn't this just a love fest?What does traction control actually do, and when would you turn it off?
Traction control adjusts according to road conditions. And since it is for safety purposes, I would keep it on.


Master tech 40 yrs.
DrewDane provided a very good response regarding Traction Control, but there are two types of systems. One system senses tire spin and applies braking to the appropriate wheel while a second type actually cuts off gas to the engine. Both types of systems are intended to reduce or eliminate unwanted wheel spin.





In the event you decide to put on a disgusting display of horsepower with your Corvette Z06, however, you can disable the TC and smoke tires to your hearts content!