A method for reducing the brake pressure commanded by a traction control system of a machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of estimating the instantaneous heat energy associated with an applied brake, estimating the accumulated heat energy associated with the applied brake during the time period that the brake is applied in response to the instantaneous heat energy; comparing the accumulated heat energy to a maximum allowable heat energy value; and reducing the magnitude of the braking command signal to reduce the applied brake pressure in response to the accumulated heat energy being greater than the maximum allowable heat energy value.