traction control CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1999 3.G Owners Manual

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2-39
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
enhanced traction control system begins to limit wheel
spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage.
(See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.) When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you
may turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

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2-69
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever
to FIRST (1) or SECOND (2), the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,
move the shift lever back to a position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2). The warning light
should go off. (See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in
the Index for more information.)

The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully. If
the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning light
stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when
the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
When your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin, this light will
come on.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the Enhanced
Traction System active light comes on, so adjust your
driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.

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4-11 Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.

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4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid.If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System, or if
the transaxle shift lever is not in the OVERDRIVE (
)
position, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.

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6-44

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.

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6-45 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow tires,
space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

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9-6
Inspections
Brake System 7-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caliper/Knuckle 7-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust System 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Drive Axle Boot 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Drive Axle Seal 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Throttle System 7-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing the Boot 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster 2-62, 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intensity Control 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intensity Control 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack, Tire 5-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Release Button 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labels
Certification 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Parts Identification 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Identification Number 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamps
Exterior 2
-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Reading 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Map 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latches, Seatback 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2-30 . . . . . . .
Lighter 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights
Air Bag Readiness 1
-24, 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2-68, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning 2-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Engine 2-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enhanced Traction System Active 2-69, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light 2-68, 4-10 . . . .
ETS Active 2-69, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ETS Warning 2-68, 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .