traction control BUICK TERRAZA 2005 Owner's Manual

SECOND (2):This position gives you more power
but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher
speeds.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will not
downshift into rst gear until the vehicle is going slow
enough.Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive, your engine’s driving
power is sent to all four wheels for extra traction
when needed.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
You may experience a brief vehicle vibration upon
acceleration when driving in slippery conditions. This is
normal and is an indication that the all-wheel drive
system is functioning properly.
SeeAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on page 4-12for
more information.
2-36

Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-43
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-51
DIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel Only).......3-68Audio System(s).............................................3-77
Setting the Time...........................................3-77
Radio with CD..............................................3-77
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-96
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-96
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-110
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-112
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-112
Radio Reception.........................................3-113
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-113
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-114
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-114
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-114
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-112.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
E. DIC Controls (If Equipped). SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
F. Traction Control System Button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-77.J. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
K. Interior Lamps Control. SeeInterior Lamps Control
on page 3-17. Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-37.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Cruise Controls (If Equipped). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
P. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control System
on page 3-25.
Q. Heated Seat Controls (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4.
R. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-48.
3-5

Rear Window Washer/Wiper
The controls for the
rear window washer/wiper
are located on the
end of the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
9(Off):Move the lever to this position to turn the
rear washers/wipers off.
Z(Rear Wiper):Move the lever to this position to
turn the rear wipers on.
=(Rear Washer/Wiper):Move the lever to this
position to wash and wipe the rear window.
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your 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 needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
3-10

The cruise control lever
is located below the
windshield wiper control
on the right side of
the steering wheel.
QRES + (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever up to
resume the cruise control speed, or to accelerate
when passing another vehicle.
J(CRUISE CONTROL) ON/OFFq:Press the
button on the end of the lever to turn the cruise control
on. Press it again to turn cruise control off.
RSET — (Set/Coast/Decelerate):Push the lever
down to set the cruise speed. If the cruise speed
is already set this position can be used to coast or
decelerate from a higher speed.
CANCEL
R:Pull the lever to cancel the cruise
control speed.
Cruise control allows a speed of approximately
25 mph (40 km/h) or more to be maintained without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful
on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.
3-11

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a traction control
system warning light.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the traction
control button. To turn the system back on, press
the button again. The warning light should go
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9
for more information.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light
will come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the red gage lamp turns on, your engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24.
United StatesCanada
3-39

SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will
display if there has been a problem detected with
StabiliTrak
®. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-10.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak
®System inspected by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will display when the system is not functioning
properly. A warning light will also appear on the
instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-39. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
Have the traction control system serviced by your GM
dealer as soon as possible.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-65

STARTING DISABLED
This message will display if the starting of the engine is
disabled due to the electronic throttle control system
or vehicle theft-deterrent system. Have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer immediately.
This message will only appear while the ignition is in
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is
resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will display when the system is on. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN and will not disappear until driving conditions
change and the traction control is no longer active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from
the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will display when the traction control system
turns off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-9for more information.
This message will only display while the ignition is in
RUN and will disappear after two seconds.
Any of the following conditions may cause the traction
control system to turn off:
The traction control system is turned off by pressing
the traction control button located on the center of
the instrument panel. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
The battery is low.
There is a traction control system failure. See your
GM dealer for service.
TRANSMISSION FLUID HOT
This message will display when the transaxle uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow
it to idle until it cools down. If the warning message
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
3-67

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
StabiliTrak
®System......................................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-18
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-25
Winter Driving..............................................4-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing..........................................................4-37
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-37
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-37
Level Control...............................................4-39
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-39
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. On a front-wheel-drive vehicle,
the system operates if it senses that one or both of the
front wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
On an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the system will operate if it
senses that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will come
on in the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control.This warning light
will come on to let you
know if there is a
problem with your
traction control system.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message in the
DIC comes on and stays on or comes on while you are
driving, there’s a problem with your traction control
system. Have the traction control system serviced by
your GM dealer as soon as possible.
When this warning message is on, the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message in the DIC will come on to
remind you that the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-9