traction control BUICK LACROSSE 2007 User Guide

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 286
Defensive Driving...................................... 286
Drunken Driving........................................ 287
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 290
Braking...................................................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 291
Braking in Emergencies............................. 293
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 294
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 295
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 296
Steering.................................................... 297
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 300
Passing..................................................... 300
Loss of Control.......................................... 302
Driving at Night......................................... 303
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 305City Driving............................................... 308
Freeway Driving........................................ 309
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 310
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 311
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 312
Winter Driving........................................... 314
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 318
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 319
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 319
Towing........................................................ 325
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 325
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 327
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
285

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 294.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 341.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 186.
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.
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 may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
290

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have 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 one or both of the
front wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
front brakes and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin. It may also upshift the transaxle to limit
wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed when the system is limiting wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow safe use of the cruise control, it can be used
again. SeeCruise Control on page 154.The TCS operates in all transaxle shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle
only as high as the shift lever position that was
chosen, so use the lower gears only when
necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 114.
This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, will
display on the DIC for
three seconds when the
TCS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message will also
come on in the DIC. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
driving accordingly.
294

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you ever
need to. The TCS should be turned off if the
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 319andIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 318.
To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button
located above the radio.
When the TCS is turned off, the TCS warning light
will come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message on the DIC. It will disappear when
the TCS is turned back on. If the TCS is limiting
wheel spin when the TCS button is pressed, the
TCS warning light will come on and the TCS will
turn off right away.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 341for more information.Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The
system operates only if it senses that one or
both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transaxle to limit wheel spin. You may feel or
hear the system working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed when the system is limiting wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow safe use of it, the cruise control can be used
again. SeeCruise Control on page 154.
295

The ETS operates in all transaxle shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle
only as high as the chosen shift lever position,
so use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 114.
This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, will
display on the DIC for
three seconds when the
ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message will also
come on in the DIC. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the ETS on.
But you can turn the system off if you ever
need to. The ETS should be turned off if the
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required.To turn the ETS on or off, press the ETS button
located above the radio.
When the ETS is turned off, the ETS warning light
will come on along with the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message on the DIC. It will
disappear when the ETS is turned back on. If the
ETS is limiting wheel spin when the traction
control button is pressed, the ETS warning light
will come on and the ETS will turn off right away.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle
stability enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.
It is an advanced computer controlled system
that assists you with directional control of
the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses
a discrepancy between your intended path
and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure
at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
296

When the system activates, a STABILITY
CONTROL ACTIVE message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 208. You may
also hear a noise or feel vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer the vehicle
in the direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM or STABILITY
CONTROL OFF message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). A warning light
will also appear on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 208.
When this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
StabiliTrak
®activates, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 154for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
297

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 are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 294.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or 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 will
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 “drive”
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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 341.
298

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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 overdriving 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 are not 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 Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration
skid. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 294. If you do not have this system, or if the
system is off, 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 will 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.
302

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best 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. 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 mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
If you have the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If
you do not have ABS, then in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release
enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels
rolling again. This restores steering control.
Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are
rolling, you will have steering control.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
303

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or grip,
and will need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), it
improves your ability to accelerate when driving
on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has
TCS, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to the road conditions. Under certain
conditions, you may want to turn the TCS off,
such as when driving through deep snow
and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion
at lower speeds. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 294.
315