traction control HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Full-Time Four-Wheel
Drive
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive sends
engine power to all four wheels
for extra traction. To get the most
out of Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive,
you must be familiar with its
operation.
Transfer Case Buttons
The transfer case buttons are
located to the right of the instrument
panel cluster. Use these switches to
shift into and out of the different
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive modes.4
m(Four-Wheel High):This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
You can also use this setting for
light or variable off-road conditions.
N (Neutral):Shift the transfer
case to Neutral only when towing
the vehicle. SeeRecreational
Vehicle Towing on page 4-40or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-40
for more information.
Notice:Driving on pavement in
Four-Wheel High Lock or Four
Wheel Low Lock for extended
periods may cause premature
wear on the vehicle powertrain
and tires. Do not drive in
Four-Wheel High Lock or
Four-Wheel Low Lock on
pavement for extended periods.
4
mQ(Four-Wheel-High Lock):
Use this setting when you need
extra traction in most off-road
situations such as sand, mud, snow
or level, rocky trails.Notice:Operating the vehicle in
Four-Wheel-Low Lock above
30 mph (48 km/h) for any
extended period of time could
cause damage to the transfer
case. Do not operate the vehicle
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above
30 mph (48 km/h) for extended
periods.
4
nQ(Four-Wheel-Low Lock):
This setting delivers extra torque to
all four wheels and is used for
extreme off-road conditions.
If the vehicle has locking axles,
they can be locked for additional
traction in extreme off-road
situations. SeeLocking Rear Axle
on page 4-8andLocking Front Axle
on page 4-9.
Indicator lights in the buttons show
which setting the transfer case
is in. The indicator lights will come
on briey when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. The If the lights do
not come on, take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer for service.
2-24 Features and Controls

Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .3-5
Horn...................................3-5
Tilt Wheel...........................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................3-6
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................3-6
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........3-7
Flash-to-Pass......................3-7
Windshield Wipers..............3-7
Windshield Washer.............3-8
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................3-8
Cruise Control....................3-9
Exterior Lamps..................3-11
Headlamps on Reminder. . .3-13
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)..................3-13
Automatic Headlamp
System............................3-14
Off-Road Lamps................3-14
Fog Lamps.......................3-15
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-15
Dome Lamp......................3-16
Dome Lamp Override........3-16
Exit Lighting......................3-16
Reading Lamps.................3-16
Electric Power
Management...................3-17
Battery Run-Down
Protection........................3-17
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter.............................3-18
Climate Controls
Climate Control System. . . .3-19
Outlet Adjustment.............3-21
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .3-23
Speedometer and
Odometer........................3-24
Trip Odometer..................3-24
Tachometer.......................3-24
Safety Belt Reminders......3-24
Airbag Readiness Light.....3-25
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................3-26
Charging System Light......3-27
Up-Shift Light....................3-27
Brake System Warning
Light................................3-27
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......3-28
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
..................3-29
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........3-29
Tire Pressure Light...........3-30
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................3-30
Instrument Panel 3-1

The main components of the
instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.Windshield Wipers
on page 3-7.Windshield Washer
on page 3-8.Cruise Control on
page 3-9.
C.Horn on page 3-5.
D.Instrument Panel Cluster on
page 3-23.
E.Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 3-5.
F.Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive on
page 2-24.Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 3-26.
Locking Rear Axle on page 4-8.
Locking Front Axle on page 4-9
(If Equipped) orTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7.
G.Exterior Lamps on page 3-11.
Dome Lamp Override on
page 3-16.Instrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15.
Fog Lamps on page 3-15.
OnStar
®System on page 2-39
andBluetooth®on page 3-52.H.Parking Brake on page 2-28.
I.Audio System(s) on page 3-41.
J.Climate Control System on
page 3-19.
K.Rear Window Wiper/Washer on
page 3-8(If Equipped).
L.Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-7(For vehicles with
Locking Front Axle).
M.Off-Road Lamps on page 3-14.
N. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on
page 2-19orManual
Transmission Operation on
page 2-22.
O.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-18.
P.Glove Box on page 2-47.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press this button located on
the instrument panel, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps ash
on and off. This warns others that
you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the
ashers off.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn
symbol on the steering wheel pad.
Instrument Panel 3-5

The rear window washer uses the
same uid bottle as the windshield
washer. Check the uid level if
the windshield can be washed, but
the rear windows cannot.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more can
be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
9(Off):Turns the cruise control
system off.
R(On):Turns the cruise control the
system on.
S(Resume/Accelerate):This
position makes the vehicle
accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
rT(Set):Press this button to
set the speed.
Cruise control will not work if the
parking brake is set, or if the master
cylinder brake uid level is low.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off.
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the 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 excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The cruise control disengages, if the
vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS) and it begins to limit
wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7.
When road conditions allow the
cruise control to be safely used
again, you can turn it back on.
Instrument Panel 3-9

brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-27.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37for all brake related DIC
messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The StabiliTrak system or the
Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes
on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.The indicator/warning light ashes
while the StabiliTrak or TCS system
is working to control the vehicle
on a low traction surface.
If the TCS warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
The light comes on when the TCS
and the StabiliTrak system is
turned off. If the TCS is off, wheel
spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak
system is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak system and the warning
light turns off.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for more
information
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is in the shaded
area of the gage, the engine is
too hot. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the
vehicle has been operating under
normal driving conditions, pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27for more information.
United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-29

SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message displays if the
vehicle needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE CHARG (Charge)
SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a
problem with the battery charging
system. Under certain conditions,
the battery warning light may
also turn on in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System
Light on page 3-27. 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 have the electrical
system checked by your
dealer/retailer. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the
display.
SERVICE STAB (Stability)
SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for
more information.
STAB (Stability)
SYS (System) OFF
This message displays when the
StabiliTrak®system is turned
off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-6for more information.
TRAC (Traction) OFF
This message along with the
traction off light displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS)
is turned off by pressing the TCS
button. SeeStabiliTrak
®/Traction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-29andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for
more information.
TRACTION FAULT
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). Check the TCS
as soon as possible and have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for
more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the
display.
TURN SIGNAL
This message displays when the
turn signal is on for about 0.75 miles
(1.2 km) of travel. Press and
release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
3-40 Instrument Panel

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-1
Defensive Driving................4-2
Drunk Driving.....................4-2
Control of a Vehicle............4-3
Braking...............................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-5
Braking in Emergencies......4-6
StabiliTrak®System............4-6
Traction Control
System (TCS)...................4-7
Locking Rear Axle..............4-8
Locking Front Axle..............4-9
Steering............................4-10
Off-Road Recovery............4-11
Passing.............................4-12
Loss of Control.................4-12
Off-Road Driving...............4-13
Assist Steps......................4-28
Driving at Night.................4-28
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-29
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-30
Highway Hypnosis.............4-30
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .4-30
Winter Driving...................4-31
If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow
...................4-33
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-34
Recovery Loops................4-34
Loading the Vehicle..........4-35
Truck-Camper Loading
Information......................4-39
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-40
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-40
Towing a Trailer................4-42
Trailer
Recommendations...........4-53
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inated.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

Police records show that almost
40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these
deaths are the result of someone
who was drinking and driving.
In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related
deaths have been associated
with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
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 hasbeen 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 the 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 the vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing
it 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 the vehicle
and others is important.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3

automatically disabled. See
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive on
page 2-24for more information. It is
recommended to leave the system
on for normal driving conditions,
but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow, and it is
necessary to “rock” the vehicle to
attempt to free it. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 4-33.
To turn the system off, press and
hold the TCS/StabiliTrak button until
the traction off light comes on.
This light comes on steady when
TCS has been turned off. This light
ashes when StabiliTrak is active.To Turn off TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the TCS/StabiliTrak
button until the STAB SYS OFF
message displays on the DIC. Press
and release the TCS/StabiliTrak
button again to turn StabiliTrak
back on. See “Traction Control
System (TCS)”, following, for more
information on turning TCS off
and on.
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel
spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The
system operates only if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, TCS reduces
engine power. The system may
be heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.TCS can operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this
happens, the system may be
heard working or a reduction in
acceleration may be noticed. This is
normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
Examples of these conditions
include hard acceleration in a turn,
an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough
roads.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. The cruise control
can be re-engaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-9for more information.
TRACTION FAULT appears on
the Driver information Center (DIC)
when a TCS or antilock brake
system problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs service.
When this message is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7