traction control CHEVROLET CAMARO 2001 4.G Owners Manual

2-53 Cruise Control (Option)
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) the cruise control shuts off.CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't 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.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) System begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. See ªASR Systemº in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on.
See ªLow Traction Lightº
in the Index.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)
System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system called
ASR 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 rear wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system for V8 engines works the rear brakes and for
V8 and V6 engines reduces engine power by closing the
throttle and managing engine spark to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your ASR system
is limiting wheel spin.
See ªLow Traction Lightº
in the Index. You may feel
or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
The ASR system may operate on dry roads under
some conditions, and you may notice a reduction in
acceleration when this happens. This is normal and
doesn't mean there's a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration
in a turn, or an abrupt upshift or downshift.

4-11
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
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's 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's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
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're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
ªASRº in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the 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'll 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 ªdriveº 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.

4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what happens
when the three control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't 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 ªoverdrivingº
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
aren't 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 ASR system, remember: It helps avoid
only the acceleration skid.If you do not have ASR, 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'll
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.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking
(including engine braking 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
ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.

6-48
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow
tires, space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.

6-49
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.

6-64
Main Fuse Block
Fuse Usage
STOP/HAZARD Hazard Flashers, Brake
Switch Assembly
TURN B/U Traction Control/Second
-Gear
Start Switch, Back
-Up Lamp
Switch, Turn Flasher, Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) ModuleFuse Usage
STG
WHL CNTRLSteering Wheel Controls
RADIO ACCY Delco Monsoon Radio Amplifier,
Remote CD Player (Trunk)
TAIL LPS Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Module, Headlamp Switch
HVAC HVAC Selector Switch,
Rear Defogger Switch/Timer
PWR ACCY Parking Lamp Relay, Hatch
Release Relay, Power Mirror
Switch, Radio, Shock Sensor,
Instrument Cluster
COURTESY Body Control Module (BCM)
GAUGES Body Control Module (BCM),
Brake
-Transmission Shift
Interlock (BTSI), Instrument
Cluster, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) Module
AIR BAG Air Bag System

6-65
Fuse Usage
CIG/ACCY Cigarette Lighter, Data Link
Connector (DLC)
DEFOG/SEATS Rear Defogger Switch/Timer,
Power Seats
IGN Aftermarket Use Only
STG
WHL CNTRLSteering Wheel
Controls Illumination
WIPER/WASH Wiper Motor Assembly,
Wiper/Washer Switch
BATT Aftermarket Use Only
WINDOWS Power Windows Switch (RH, LH),
Express
-Down Module,
Convertible Top SwitchFuse Usage
IP DIMMER Door Illumination Lamp (LH, RH),
Headlamp Switch, Fog Lamp
Switch, Instrument Cluster, HVAC
Control Assembly, PRNDL
Illumination Lamp, Ashtray Lamp,
Radio, Rear Window Defogger
Switch/Timer, Traction Control
(ASR)/Second
-Gear Start Switch,
Convertible Top Switch
ACCY Aftermarket Use Only
RADIO Body Control Module (BCM),
Radio, Amplifier, Steering Wheel
Controls
-Radio

6-66
Underhood Electrical Center
Fuse and Relay Center 1
Fuse Usage
ABS BAT SOL Anti
-Lock Brake System
TCS BAT Traction Control System (ASR)
and ETC
COOL FAN Cooling Fan Control
PCM BAT Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)Fuse Usage
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
AIR PUMP Air Pump Relay and Bleed Valve
LH HDLP DR Left Headlamp Door and Module
RH HDLP DR Right Headlamp Door and Module
HORN Horn Relay
ABS BAT
-1 Anti-Lock Brake System Module
H/L DR HORN Horn and Headlamp Doors
ABS BAT
-2 Anti-Lock Brake and Traction
Control System (ASR)
COOL FAN Cooling Fan Relays
Relay Description
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
HORN Horn
FAN #3 Cooling Fans
FAN #2 Cooling Fans
FAN #1 Cooling Fans