What the Dashboard Warning Lights Mean in Your Car CR's experts decode oil pressure, coolant temperature, check engine, tire pressure, and traction control warnings By Benjamin Preston April 27, 2025 ...

The TC on this symbol stands for "traction control," a safety feature developed in the 1980s as a means to prevent the wheels of a vehicle from losing grip while on the road.

When the system engages, the traction control warning light will appear on your car's dashboard temporarily, and you might feel the car judder a little as it cuts power to the wheel.

Simply put, traction control keeps you stable while accelerating, so your car may alert you with the triangle symbol warning light when there's an issue with this tech.