brake light GMC ENVOY DENALI 2008 User Guide

Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, your vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, your vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for
all brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Service Light
This light will come on
briey when the engine
is started.
This light will come on if a problem is detected in the
StabiliTrak
®system.
For more information seeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6.
3-39

REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate
and liftglass. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass on page 2-12.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger side rear door is not fully closed. Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions,
and close the door again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect
the system for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-33andAirbag System on page 1-53for
more information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if a problem occurs with the
brake system. If this message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicleand check for the message on the DIC display. If the
message is still displayed, or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE CHARGING SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
battery charging system. Under certain conditions, the
charging system light may also turn on in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-36.
The battery will not be charging at an optimal rate and
the vehicle will lose the ability to enter the fuel economy
mode. The vehicle is safe to drive, however you should
have the electrical system checked by your
dealer/retailer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If this message displays, it means there may be a
problem with the StabiliTrak®system. If this message
appears, try to reset the system by performing the
following: stop; turn off the engine; then start the engine
again. If this message still comes on, it means there is a
problem. You should see your dealer/retailer for service.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however, you do not have the
benet of StabiliTrak
®, so reduce your speed and drive
accordingly.
3-56

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 3-41. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-69for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
This message displays anytime the StabiliTrak®system
activates to maintain vehicle stability. Any combination
of engine speed management, brake traction control,
and stability control displays this message.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display if driving conditions delay
StabiliTrak®system initialization. This is normal.
Once the system initializes, this message will no
longer be displayed on the DIC.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays when you press the StabiliTrak®
button for more than ve seconds or when stability control
has been automatically disabled. The StabiliTrak®button
is located on the transmission shift handle. To limit
wheel spin and realize the full benets of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak
®on. However, you should turn StabiliTrak®off
if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and
you want to rock your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you
are driving in extreme off-road conditions and require
more wheel spin. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-33. To turn the StabiliTrak
®
system back on, press the StabiliTrak®button again.
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
The message may display if the brake system
warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
The message displays if the vehicle is shifted
into 4LO.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
3-57

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
This message may display and a chime may sound if
the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly. Fully
reinstall the fuel cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. This message remains on until it is
manually cleared from the DIC display. The DIC
message is also cancelled if the ignition is turned off.
The DIC message and the Service Engine Soon
light may come on again during a second trip if the
fuel cap is still not tightened properly. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-41for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when you momentarily press
the StabiliTrak®button located on the transmission
shift handle. In this mode, stability control and the
brake-traction control are functional. Engine speed
management will be modied and the driven wheels
can spin more freely. For more details on this mode,
seeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime sounds if a turn
signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program some features to one setting
based on your preference. All of the customizable
options listed may not be available on your vehicle.
Only the options available display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
To change feature preferences, make sure the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in PARK (P). To avoid excessive
drain on the battery, it is recommended that the
headlamps are turned off.
Press the customization button to scroll through the
available customizable options.
After pressing the customization button, VEHICLE
SETTINGS momentarily displays before going to a
customization option.
3-58

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance
of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
4-3

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
will stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
4-4

StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®, Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) which combines antilock brake,
traction and stability control systems and helps the driver
maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving
conditions.
Traction control activates when the controller senses
wheel spin. StabiliTrak
®will selectively apply the brakes
and reduce engine torque to help regain traction.
Stability control activates when the controller senses
a discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is travelling. StabiliTrak
®selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to help guide the vehicle in the direction which
you are steering.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to
insure there are no problems. You may hear or feel the
system working. This is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with your vehicle. If driving conditions delay
system initialization, the STABILITRAK NOT READY
message may be displayed. If this is the case, your
vehicle does not need servicing.
For more information on the stability messages,
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53.When the StabiliTrak
®
system is both on and
actively controlling the
stability of the vehicle,
the StabiliTrak
®light will
blink for the duration of
the event.
You may also feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
The StabiliTrak
®disable
button is located on the
transmission shift handle.
The StabiliTrak
®system is automatically disabled in
4LO mode and cannot be turned on until the vehicle
is switched to 2HI, 4HI, or 4AWD.
The StabiliTrak
®system has three modes of operation:
STABILITRAK ON, TRACTION CONTROL OFF,
and STABILITRAK OFF.
STABILITRAK ON -The vehicle will default to
STABILITRAK ON every time the driver starts the
vehicle. The StabiliTrak
®light will be off and no DIC
messages will be displayed.
4-6

TRACTION CONTROL OFF - The driver can modify
the engine speed management system by momentarily
pressing the StabiliTrak
®button on the transmission
shift handle. The StabiliTrak®light will come on and
TRACTION CONTROL OFF will be displayed. For
vehicles without a DIC, the StabiliTrak
®indicator light
will come on. Momentarily pressing the StabiliTrak®
button again will return the system to the STABILITRAK
ON mode.
STABILITRAK OFF - The driver can turn off StabiliTrak
®
by pressing the StabiliTrak®button for more than
ve seconds. The StabiliTrak®light will come on and
STABILITRAK OFF will be displayed. For vehicles
without a DIC, the StabiliTrak
®indicator light will come
on. Momentarily pressing the StabiliTrak®button again
will return the system to the STABILITRAK ON mode.
See StabiliTrak
®Off below for more information.
Traction Control Off
In this mode, stability control and brake-traction control
are functional. Engine speed management will be
modied and the driven wheels can spin more freely.
This can cause the brake-traction control to activate more
frequently. If the controller detects excessive wheel spin
in this mode, the StabiliTrak
®indicator light may blink and
the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message may be displayed
to warn the driver that damage may occur to the
transfer case.
StabiliTrak®Off
In this mode, both stability control and part of the
traction control system are disabled. Your vehicle will
still have brake-traction control, but will not be able
to use the engine speed management system. You may
still hear system noises as a result of the brake-traction
control coming on. If the controller detects excessive
wheel spin in this mode, the StabiliTrak
®indicator light
may blink and the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message
may be displayed to warn the driver that damage may
occur to the transfer case.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you may want to “rock” your vehicle in an
attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the
system when driving in extreme off-road conditions where
high wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-33for more
information.
When the transfer case is in 4LO, the stability system is
automatically disabled. The StabiliTrak
®light will come
on and the STABILITRAK OFF message will appear on
the DIC. The StabiliTrak
®system cannot be turned on
until the vehicle is switched to 2HI, 4HI, or 4AWD.
4-7

The following chart describes the StabiliTrak®system events and the corresponding messages and lights that will be
displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
Vehicles with a DIC Vehicles without a DIC Event
StabiliTrak®
Indicator LightDIC MessageStabiliTrak
®
Indicator LightStabiliTrak
®Service
Light—
Off None Off OffStabiliTrak
®On
mode (System is fully
enabled, but is not
actively controlling
vehicle stability).
Solid Traction Control Off Solid OffTraction Control
Off Mode
Solid StabiliTrak
®Off Solid OffStabiliTrak
®Off Mode
(StabiliTrak®indicator
light will ash when
system rst enters
this mode).
Blinking StabiliTrak
®Active Blinking OffStabiliTrak
®system
activates using
engine speed
management, brake
traction control,
and/or stability
control.
Solid Service StabiliTrak
®Solid SolidStabiliTrak
®system is
disabled due to a
system fault.
SolidStabiliTrak
®Not
ReadySolid OffStabiliTrak®system is
disabled due to a
failure to initialize.
4-8

Notice:If the StabiliTrak®light comes on due to
heavy braking and/or because the traction control
system has been continuously active, do not allow
the wheel(s) of one axle to spin excessively. If you
do, you may be causing damage to the transfer case.
This could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin
excessively while the StabiliTrak
®, ABS and brake
warning lights and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are displayed, you could damage the
transfer case. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and this
message are displayed.
StabiliTrak
®may activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy acceleration while
turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the transmission.
When this happens, you may notice a reduction in
acceleration, or may hear a noise or vibration.
This is normal.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the StabiliTrak
®light will blink, and the
cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow, you may re-engage the cruise
control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
StabiliTrak
®will turn off automatically if a problem is
detected in the system. The StabiliTrak®light will come
on and SERVICE STABILITRAK will be displayed on
the DIC. For vehicles without a DIC, the StabiliTrak
®
light and the StabiliTrak®service light will both come on.
If the SERVICE STABILITRAK message (or StabiliTrak®
service light) does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for more information.
4-9