While an advantage in certain situations, traction control is not a substitute for safe riding.

In wet or slippery conditions, or under abrupt acceleration, the traction-control system will limit torque to the drive wheel during loss of traction.

By reducing tire spin, the Traction Control System will maintain control, while allowing maximum acceleration.

During start up, the traction-control lamp flashes simultaneously with the ABS lamp, this indicates that both systems are waiting for the vehicle to complete a wheel speed sensor check. The traction control system is operational after startup even during the wheel speed sensor check. The traction control lamp should turn off when the sensor check is complete.

Traction control is automatically enabled at each ignition start cycle. The rider may choose to disable traction control anytime the vehicle is at a complete stop and the engine is running by pressing and holding the traction control switch for one full second.

The rider may find it beneficial to disengage traction control in low speed low traction situations such as, riding in deep sand, riding uphill on wet grass, or similar situations. The traction control lamp will illuminate and remain illuminated to indicate traction control is disabled. However, if the TC lamp remains on in conjunction with the fault indicator lamp, it means the traction control system has faulted, if this occurs see an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

During some fault conditions Traction Control will be enabled with degraded function and cannot be disabled.

The rider may again enable traction control at any time during vehicle operation by pressing and releasing the Traction control switch.

If the traction control lamp begins fast-blinking while riding, it means the traction-control system is intervening.