traction control CHEVROLET EPICA 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Hold Mode
Your vehicle’s transaxle has a hold mode.
Press the HOLD button
on the console below
the shift lever to turn
on hold mode.
Press the button again to turn off hold mode, and return
to normal automatic transaxle operation.
While on, the HOLD indicator light on the instrument
panel will light up. SeeHold Mode Light on page 3-38.
When hold mode is activated, the transaxle operates
in the following ways:
•When the transaxle is in AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D), the transaxle operates in a gear
range of SECOND (2) to THIRD (3) to AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) and tries to maintain AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for as long as possible.
•When the transaxle is in THIRD (3), the transaxle
operates in a gear range of SECOND (2) to
THIRD (3) and tries to maintain THIRD (3) for as
long as possible.
•When the transaxle is in SECOND (2), the transaxle
is fixed in that gear.
•When the transaxle is in FIRST (1), the transaxle is
fixed in that gear.
Hold Mode Functions
Winter Function
Select hold mode while in AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D),
THIRD (3) or SECOND (2) to help the vehicle maintain
traction on slippery road surfaces, such as snow, mud,
or ice.
Avoid Excessive Shifting
Select hold mode while in THIRD (3) to avoid excessive
shifting when the adaptive shift logic is not enough to
prevent excessive shifting when driving in hilly areas.
Manually Controlling Shift
Select hold mode to use your automatic transaxle like
a four-speed manual transaxle.
2-25

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Trip Odometer..............................................3-32Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-33
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...........................................3-36
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-37
Traction Control System Active Light...............3-38
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-43
Daytime Running Lamps
Indicator Light...........................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the windshield wiper/
washer lever toward you with the ignition turned to ON.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
When you release the lever, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three cycles
and will either stop or will resume at the speed you were
using before.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, you can maintain
a speed of about 18 mph (29 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 18 mph (29 km/h).When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can not 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.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.
3-10

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
Traction Control System
(TCS), this light comes
on for a few seconds
when the ignition is
turned to ON.
If the light does not come on, then have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.The TCS warning light may also come on for the
following reasons:
•If you turn the system off by pressing the TCS button
located below the shift lever, the light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on, press the
button again and the warning light should go out.
•If there is a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the TCS will turn off and
the warning light will come on. If your brakes begin to
overheat, the TCS will turn off and the warning light
will come on until the brakes cool down.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on for an
extended period of time when the system is turned
on, there may be a problem with your TCS and your
vehicle needs service.
When the TCS warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
3-37

Traction Control System Active
Light
If your vehicle has the
Traction Control System
(TCS), the TCS active
light comes on for a
few seconds when the
ignition is turned to ON.
If the light does not come on, then have it fixed so it will
be ready to tell you when the system is active.
The TCS active light turns on while the traction control
function is actively operating.
Hold Mode Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light will come
on when the hold mode
is active.
If the HOLD mode light flashes, have your vehicle
checked. See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22for additional information
on this feature.
3-38

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-29
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-29
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-29
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Remember: Anti-lock does not 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 will not 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
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear the
anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the brake pedal
pulsate, but this is normal.
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.
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 to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
briefly when the ignition
is turned to ON along
with the anti-lock brake
system warning light.
This light will blink when
your Traction Control
System is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. This light will also come on when the anti-lock
brake system is working.
4-8

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction 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. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
The Traction Control System operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the
transaxle only as high as the shift lever position
you have chosen, so you should use the lower gears
only when necessary.
This light will come on
briefly when the ignition
is turned to ON along
with the anti-lock brake
system warning light.
When the system is on and the parking brake is fully
released, this warning light will also come on to let you
know if there is a problem.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 Traction Control System on.
But you can turn the system off if you prefer.
To turn the system
on or off, press the
TCS button located
on the console below
the shift lever.
When you turn the system off, the Traction Control
System warning light will come on and stay on. If the
Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on, but the system will not turn off right
away. It will wait until there is no longer a current
need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The Traction Control System warning
light should go off.
4-9

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 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 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 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. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8.
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 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.
4-10

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.Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your TCS 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.
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 “mirrored surface” — and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14