What is traction control on a car and how does it work? Is it really useful or just a marketing ploy?

It's integrated with the engine and transmission management systems as well as the anti-lock brake system. It minimizes wheel spin under all operating conditions and helps the driver to maintain control of the vehicle under widely varying conditions. It does this by limiting engine power output and controlled activation of individual wheel brakes to stop wheelspin. More advanced systems use accellerometers to detect impending skid conditions and limit power to avoid a skid. Most of them are pretty good. The system on the Audi A-8 is amazing, you can drop the pedal on a twisting, icy road and maintain control at speeds you'd never want to try otherwise.What is traction control on a car and how does it work? Is it really useful or just a marketing ploy?
It is not a marketing ploy and can be helpful especially in wet and slippery road conditions. Traction control electronically alters the power to your drive wheels depending on surface friction so the wheel with the least friction gets less power. It is kind of an advanced limited slip from the old days. The difference is that limited slip systems were manual and traction control is electronic and a lot more precise.What is traction control on a car and how does it work? Is it really useful or just a marketing ploy?
Traction control is an electronic system in your vehicle that detects wheel spin and prevents it from happening. Traction is then regained to your drive wheel (front-, rear-, or all-wheel-drive).