traction control BUICK ENVISION 2021 User Guide

Buick E2UB-N Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583509) - 2021 - CRC - 1/8/21
Driving and Operating 187
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Driving Information
Driver Behavior
Driving is an important responsibility. Driver
behavior, the driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a vehicle
performs.
Being aware of these factors can help in
understanding how the vehicle handles and
what can be done to avoid many types of
crashes, including a rollover crash.
Most serious injuries and fatalities to
unbelted occupants can be reduced or
prevented by the use of seat belts. In a
rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden or abrupt
turns, and drunken or aggressive driving can
help make trips safer and avoid the
possibility of a crash.
Driving Environment
Be prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during other times
where visibility or traction may be limited, such as on curves, slippery roads, or hilly
terrain. Unfamiliar surroundings can also
have hidden hazards.
Vehicle Design
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
This is because they have a higher ground
clearance and a narrower track or shorter
wheelbase than passenger cars, which makes
them more capable for off-road driving.
While these design characteristics provide
the driver with a better view of the road,
these vehicles do have a higher center of
gravity than other types of vehicles.
A utility vehicle does not handle the same
as a vehicle with a lower center of gravity,
like a car, in similar situations.
Safe driver behavior and understanding of
the environment can help avoid a rollover
crash in any type of vehicle, including utility
vehicles.
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:

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188 Driving and Operating
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.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.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments haveenacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 041.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.

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Driving and Operating 191
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road. There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
See
Tires 0278.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.

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{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0210.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0207.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
(Continued)

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Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0203.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
210.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the
Vehicle 0304.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire
and Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)

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Driving and Operating 207
Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode:1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), press the M (Manual Mode) button.
2. Pull the steering wheel control toward you to shift. Pull the left control to
downshift, and the right control to
upshift.
To exit Permanent Tap Shift Mode, pull the
D (Drive) switch on the center console.
Temporary Tap Manual Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap Shift Mode: 1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in Permanent Tap Shift Mode, the
Tap Shift controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Shift Mode, allowing the
transmission to be manually shifted.
2. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly. Automatic shifts return after no
manual shifts have been done for seven
to 10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle will have
firmer, quicker shifting. This can be used for
sport driving or when climbing or
descending hills, to stay in gear longer,
or to downshift for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will only allow shifting
into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed
and engine revolutions per minute (rpm).
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the
M or D will flash in the instrument cluster.
The transmission will not automatically shift
to the next higher gear if the engine rpm is
too high. It will only automatically shift to
the next lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can operate in
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. When the
AWD feature is active, the system transfers
engine power, if required, to all four wheels.
The system is fully automatic and adjusts to
road conditions for improved traction and
control. In FWD Mode engine power is
transferred to the front wheels only, and
the AWD feature is off.
The AWD feature is automatically activated
when certain modes are selected using the
Driver Mode Control switch. When an AWD
mode change is requested the light will
flash briefly while the system is engaging
and the AWD light will be displayed when
the system is active. When a non-AWD
Mode is selected, the light will flash briefly
while the system disengages and a 2WD
light will be displayed when the AWD
system is off. See
Driver Mode Control 0212.
When a compact spare tire is installed on an
AWD vehicle, the system will automatically
detect the compact spare and reduce AWD
performance to protect the system. To
restore AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on the system, replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire 0301.Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when the
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor
or clicking noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake pedal may
move slightly. This is normal.

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HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on slippery
road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. On an All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicle in AWD or Sport Mode, the system
will operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, TCS applies the
brakes to the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the system
senses a discrepancy between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's
brakes to help steer the vehicle in the
direction which you are steering.
If cruise control is being used and traction
control or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC will automatically turn on when cruise
control is set.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0193 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message may display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
d
comes on and stays on to indicate that the
system is inactive and is not assisting the
driver in maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.

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Driving and Operating 211
Drive the vehicle. Ifdcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster and a DIC message may
display. To turn TCS on again, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off and a DIC
message may display.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis
pressed, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgin the
instrument cluster turn off and a DIC
message may display.
Adding accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0254.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
HDC can be used when driving downhill.
It sets and maintains vehicle speed while
descending a very steep incline in a forward
or reverse gear.
Press5to enable or disable HDC. Vehicle
speed must be below 50 km/h (31 mph).
The HDC light displays on the instrument
cluster when enabled.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds between
3 and 22 km/h (2 and 14 mph) on an incline
greater than or equal to a 10% grade.
A blinking HDC light indicates the system is
actively applying the brakes to maintain
vehicle speed.

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212 Driving and Operating
When HDC is activated, the initial HDC
speed is set to the current driving speed.
It can be increased or decreased by pressing
+RES or–SET on the steering wheel or by
applying the accelerator or brake pedal. This
adjusted speed becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between 22 and
60 km/h (14 and 37 mph); however vehicle
speed cannot be set or maintained in this
range. It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph) or
above 60 km/h (37 mph) for at least
30 seconds. Press
5again to re-enable HDC.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control (DMC) allows the driver
to adjust the overall driving experience to
better suit preference by adjusting multiple
subsystems. Driver Mode availability and
affected vehicle subsystems are dependent
upon vehicle trim level, region, and optional
features.
If the vehicle is in Tour Mode or AWD
Mode, it will stay in that mode through
future ignition cycles. If the vehicle is in any
other mode, it will return to Tour Mode
when the vehicle is restarted. When a mode
is selected, an indicator will come on in the
instrument cluster.
Driver Mode Control Switch
To activate each mode, press the MODE
button on the center console.
Tour Mode : Use for normal city and
highway driving to provide a smooth ride.
This setting provides balance between
comfort and handling. This is the standard/
default mode. There is no persistent
indicator in the instrument cluster for
this mode.
AWD Mode : AWD Mode provides drive
torque to all four wheels. Select AWD Mode
to improve traction and control on slippery
road surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. When in AWD Mode, the AWD Mode indicator light will be
on. For more information on AWD Mode,
see
All-Wheel Drive 0207.
Sport Mode : Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand a more
controlled response.
Sport Mode improves vehicle handling and
acceleration on dry pavement. When active,
Sport Mode modifies steering efforts,
transmission shifting, AWD torque and
suspension tuning, if equipped.
Off-Road Mode : Use this mode for off-road
recreational driving. Off-Road Mode should
be used to improve driving at moderate
speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt, unpaved roads,
or snow-covered roads. The accelerator pedal
is tuned for off-road use. This mode modifies
pedal mapping, AWD, ABS, ESC, and TCS
Performance.
Snow/Ice Mode : Snow/Ice Mode improves
vehicle acceleration on snow and ice covered
roads. When active, Snow/Ice Mode will
adjust acceleration to optimize traction on
slippery surfaces. This can compromise the
acceleration on dry asphalt.

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This feature is not intended for use when
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow,
or gravel. If the vehicle becomes stuck, seeIf
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0193.
Cruise Control
With cruise control the vehicle can maintain
a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use 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.
With the Traction Control System (TCS), the
system may begin to limit wheel spin while
you are using cruise control. If this happens,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0210. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is activated,
cruise control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0231. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, cruise control can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.
5: Press to turn cruise control on or off.
A white indicator comes on in the
instrument cluster when cruise control is
turned on. RES+ :
If there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume to that speed or
press and hold to accelerate. If cruise control
is already active, use to increase vehicle
speed.
SET− :Press the control down briefly to set
the speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active, use to
decrease vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the
5button is on when not in use, SET–
or RES+ could get pressed and go into cruise
when not desired. Keep the
5button off
when cruise is not being used.
1. Press
5to turn the cruise system on.
2. Get to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET– . The desired set
speed briefly appears in the instrument
cluster.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.