I thought of another question. Sorry to come up with so many.........I feel like I'm being a pest. Like I said earlier I got this car in August '10 so this is my first Winter with it. I'm also getting used to FWD as I've always had RWD.
I have noticed that when it's slick out and the TCS is off if it should spin a little in a slick spot the TCS light will flicker on the dash and I will hear an odd noise under the hood almost like a noise you would hear with ABS. Is this normal?
I can turn on the TCS and the light will stay lit and I assume it is doing what it should and I really don't hear that noise then.
Sorry to ramble on, it's just all new to me. Thanks,Scott

 

You have it backwards. If the TSC OFF light is on, then the TCS is off or has a problem. If the TCS OFF light is off then the system is on. TCS defaults as on (no light) every time you start the car. You can turn if off manually (the light will then be on) but I wouldn't suggest doing it.

And yes, the sound you heard is normal. It's the system killing power to the wheels to prevent them from spinning. The light will flicker when it detects wheel spin.

 

Well I'm glad that all is ok with that then. I'll have to check on this, but it looks like the light on the push button is burned out. The one works on 'cruise' push button, but not on the 'TCS' button. The dash indicator light works, though. Scott

 

I corrected my last post. In the XG, the light just says TCS. It's newer Hyundai's that actually say TCS OFF. The switch itself does say TCS OFF but the switch does not have a light. The only light is in the instrument cluster. If the light is on then there is a problem or the system was manually turned off. The TCS light will go on for a second when the engine is started (as a test of the bulb) but will go off if the system is functioning. If the light is off and then flickers while driving, then the system detects wheel slippage and is working. If you manually turn the system off, the light will go on steady.

Do you have the owners manual? If not, I can email you a copy in PDF form.

 

Yes, I have the owner's manual. I should have looked at it instead of bothering somebody about it, but wanted to get a driver's perspective. Is there a reason I would want it off? Fuel savings? Thanks again.

 

I wasn't sure if you had a manual. I know many people complain about not getting one with a used car.

Some people claim there is a fuel savings with TCS off but in all my testing I've not seen any difference.

The only time to turn it off is if you get stuck in deep snow. TCS is good for preventing you from spinning your wheels but if you get into deep snow and are stuck, it's good to turn off the TCS so you can spin the wheels to get out or to rock the car forward and reverse to get out. Also, some people have found it's good to shut off when driving through deep snow to prevent from getting stuck.

Personally, I don't purposely drive into deep snow and I always drive on dedicated winter tires for better traction. TCS is only as good as the traction your tires have and winter tires are a must in snowy weather. The best all-season tires are no match for even cheap winter tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=122
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=135