traction control BUICK LACROSSE 2008 User Guide

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).....................4-7
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-21
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-21
Towing..........................................................4-27
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-27
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-27
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-28
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
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 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. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-7, andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8.
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 3-37.
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.
4-3

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 transmission 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 3-10.
The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the shift lever position that was chosen,
so use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.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.
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 4-21
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-20.
To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button located
above the radio.
4-6

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-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for 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 transmission 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 3-10.
The ETS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the chosen shift lever position, so
use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.
This warning 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.
4-7

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 Traction Control
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®.Itisan
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.When the system activates, a STABILITY CONTROL
ACTIVE message will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58. 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 3-58. 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. See
Cruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
For vehicles with the 5.3L V8 engine, StabiliTrak
®can
be turned off by pressing and holding the traction control
button, located above the radio, for approximately ve
seconds. A STABILITY CONTROL OFF message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when StabiliTrak
®is turned off. StabiliTrak®will remain
off until the traction control button is pressed once to
turn it back on, or until the engine is started.
4-8

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.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of the 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 antilock
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 4-6,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-7, andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8.
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 the front
wheels are straight ahead.
4-9

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, the 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.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control 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.
4-12

Driving in Rain and 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 owing water.
{CAUTION:
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 owing water could
cause your 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 owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your 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 your 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 uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-63.
4-14

A traction system improves your ability to accelerate
when driving on a slippery road. Even though you have
a traction system, slow down and adjust your driving
to the road conditions. Under certain conditions,
you might want to turn the traction system off, such as
when driving through deep snow and loose gravel,
to help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6,Enhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7, andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-8.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Even though you have ABS, begin
stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be ne
until you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On
an otherwise clear road, ice patches can appear in
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such
as around clumps of trees, behind buildings,
or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve
or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of
ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not
to brake while you are actually on the ice, and
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with
your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, make
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,
rags, oor mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
4-18

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the
area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or
stability system. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7,
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a 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
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when
the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels
in the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that could free your vehicle. If that does
not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-27.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle
show how much weight it may properly carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and the
Vehicle Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
4-21