traction control CHEVROLET SSR 2004 1.G User Guide

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you are stuck, but
you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transmission or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little
as possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-65.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Turn your
traction control system off; seeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
your wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. If you do need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
4-31

If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
(other than those originally installed on your
vehicle) or types (radial and bias-belted tires),
the vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes (other than those originally installed on
your vehicle) may also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size and
type tires on all four wheels.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges 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
5-61

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.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) 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 signicantly 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 specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poortraction 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
under controlled conditions on a specied 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 inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-62

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Don’t use tire chains. There’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without
the proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control of your
vehicle and you or others may be injured in a
crash. Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for use on
your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels. If you do nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the rear tires.
5-65

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-37
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-12
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-34
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle......................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-20Light
Air Bag Off .................................................3-28
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-31
Brake System Warning.................................3-30
Change Engine Oil......................................3-37
Charging System.........................................3-29
Check Gages Warning.................................3-39
Cruise Control.............................................3-38
Highbeam On.............................................3-39
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Reduced Engine Power................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-26
Security.....................................................3-37
TCS Warning Light......................................3-31
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-31
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-11
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle..................................... 2-8
Power Door.................................................. 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
8

Tlat (Tonneau Latch) Hall Switch Fault...............3-54
Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault......................3-54
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched) Switch Fault.......3-54
Top Strap......................................................1-30
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-32
Torque Lock...................................................2-20
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-43
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-32
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-31
Traction Active................................................3-54
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-38
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-48
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-51
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle...........................3-54
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-16
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-13
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Information..............................................3-46
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal On...............................................3-55
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-49
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-87
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-61
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-5
Unknown Speed.............................................3-55
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-75
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-29
Using Song List Mode.....................................3-83
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