A system and method using a vehicle drive shaft torque coupled to a driven wheel and a non-driven wheel speed for a vehicle throttle control system includes reading first and second torque values generated by the torque sensor. The method identifies when a sustained drop occurs between the first and second torque values. Another step determines if a change occurred between the first and second torque value readings in any of: a throttle position; a gear setting; and a brake pressure. A detected traction loss is signaled when the sustained drop occurred with no change between the first and second torque value readings in the throttle position, gear setting, and brake pressure. A desired throttle value is calculated using an engine torque and a target engine speed to prevent driven wheel slip. A throttle command signal changes an existing throttle value to the desired throttle value.