traction control CHEVROLET TAHOE 2005 2.G Owners Manual

Voltmeter Gage............................................3-42
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-43
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-45
Traction Off Light..........................................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-46
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-48
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-48
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-52
Security Light...............................................3-53
Cruise Control Light......................................3-53
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-53
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-54
Fuel Gage...................................................3-54
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-55
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-56
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-60
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-72Audio System(s).............................................3-78
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-78
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-79
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-79
Radio with CD..............................................3-82
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-93
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-108
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-121
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-122
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-133
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-134
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-135
Radio Reception.........................................3-136
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-136
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-137
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-137
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-138
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-138
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-138
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

A. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-19.
B. Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14.
C. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
D. Automatic Transfer Case Buttons. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-28.
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-37.
G. Gearshift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
H. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-27.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-78.
J. Dual Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate
Control System on page 3-22.Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-25.
K. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-108.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-56
andAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-135.
N. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block. SeeCenter
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-110.
O. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
P. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-35.
Q. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-21. Accessory Power Outlets.
SeeAccessory Power Outlets on page 3-20.
R. Storage Area (If Equipped). SeeCenter Console
Storage Area on page 2-57.
S. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-21.
T. StabiliTrak
®or Traction Assist System (TAS)
Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-11orTraction Assist System (TAS) on
page 4-9.
U. Glovebox. SeeGlove Box on page 2-57.
3-5

Cruise Control
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a
previously set speed.
T(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
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).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{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.
3-11

TRACTION ACTIVE
When the traction control system has detected that any
of the vehicle’s wheels are spinning, the traction
control system will activate and this message will appear
on the DIC. SeeTraction Assist System (TAS) on
page 4-9for more information.
TRACTION SYS (System) LIMITED
If the brake traction control system activates constantly
or if the brakes have heated up due to high-speed
braking, brake traction control will be displayed and the
TRACTION SYS LIMITED message will be displayed.
The system will return to normal operation after the
brakes have cooled.
TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE
ENGINE
If the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot, this
message will appear on the DIC along with a continuous
chime. Driving with the transmission uid temperature
high can cause damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle
and let it idle to allow the transmission to cool. This
message will clear and the chime will stop when the uid
temperature reaches a safe level. SeeTransmission
Temperature Gage on page 3-46.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
3-70

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 Assist System (TAS)...........................4-9
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
StabiliTrak
®System......................................4-11
Steering......................................................4-14
QUADRASTEER™........................................4-16
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-19
Passing.......................................................4-19
Loss of Control.............................................4-21
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-22
Driving at Night............................................4-37
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-38
City Driving..................................................4-40Freeway Driving...........................................4-41
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-42
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-44
Winter Driving..............................................4-45
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-50
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-50
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-51
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-52
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-57
Towing..........................................................4-62
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-62
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-62
Level Control...............................................4-65
Autoride
®.....................................................4-66
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-66
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-67
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-9.
Braking
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.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
4-6

Traction Assist System (TAS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Assist System (TAS)
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 reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
The traction control system is enabled every time your
vehicle is started. The system will activate if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction.
You may hear or feel the system working or notice a
lack of accelerator response, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you
may notice a reduction in acceleration. 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, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS 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. See
Cruise Control on page 3-11.When the traction off light
is on, the TAS is off and
will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction off light will come on under the following
conditions:
The Traction Assist System is turned off, either by
pressing the TAS on/off button or turning off the
automatic engagement feature of the TAS.
The transmission is in FIRST (1); TAS will not
operate in this gear. This is normal.
The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road.
When the vehicle leaves the rough surface, slows
down or stops, the light will go off and TAS will
be on again. This is normal.
A Traction Assist System, Anti-Lock Brake System
or engine-related problem has been detected and
the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle has been driven with the TAS system
on for long periods of time, or if the vehicle has
gone through many high speed braking maneuvers
the system may be automatically disabled. The
system will automatically re-enable after
approximately two minutes of not using the brakes.
4-9

StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the StabiliTrak®
system which combines antilock brake, traction
and stability control systems and helps the driver
maintain directional control of the vehicle in most
driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to
ensure there are no problems. You may hear or feel
the system working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with your vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h). In some cases, it may take approximately
two miles of driving before the system initializes.
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the STABILITY
SYS DISABLED or SERVICE STABILITY message
will be displayed. If the vehicle has gone through heavy
acceleration or braking during the rst two miles after
starting your vehicle, the STABILITY SYS DISABLED
message may appear. If this is the case, your
vehicle does not need servicing. Turn your vehicle off
and back on again to reset the system. If either message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), and
your vehicle hasn’t gone through hard acceleration
or braking in the rst two miles, your vehicle should be
taken in for service.The STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message will appear on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) only when the
system is both on and activated. You may also feel or
hear the system working; this is normal. For more
information on the stability messages, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-56.
The StabiliTrak
®button
is located on the
instrument panel.
StabiliTrak
®and part of the traction control system can
be turned off or back on by pressing the StabiliTrak®
button. All-wheel drive vehicles must be in all-wheel
drive mode to turn the system on or off.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles must be in 2HI, 4HI or
AUTO 4WD to turn the system on or off.
4-11

When the system is turned off, the traction off light will
illuminate, and the STABILITY SYS DISABLED
message will appear on the DIC to warn the driver that
both the stability system and part of the traction
control system are disabled. Your vehicle will still have
brake-traction control when StabiliTrak
®is off, but
will not be able to use the engine speed management
system. See “Traction Control Operation” next for
more information.
When the StabiliTrak
®system has been turned off, you
may still hear system noises as a result of the
brake-traction control coming on.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn
the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice
or snow, and you want to “rock” your vehicle to
attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme off-road conditions
where high wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-50.
When the transfer case is in 4LO, the stability system is
automatically disabled, and the STABILITY SYS
DISABLED message will appear on the DIC. In 4LO,
the StabiliTrak
®button only turns the traction control
system on and off.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak®
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each individual
wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when you start your vehicle, and it will activate
and display the TRACTION ACTIVE message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) if it senses that any of
the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If you turn off StabiliTrak
®, only the
brake-traction control portion of traction control will work.
The engine speed management will be disabled. In
this state, engine power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin more freely. This
can cause the brake-traction control to activate
constantly. For more information on the traction active
message, seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-56.
Notice:If you have All-Wheel Drive with
StabiliTrak
®and the traction off light comes on due
to heavy braking and/or because the traction
control system has been continuously active, do not
allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin excessively.
If you do, you may be causing damage to the
transfer case. This could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty.
4-12

If the brake traction-control system activates constantly
or if the brakes have heated up due to high speed
braking, brake traction-control will be disabled and the
TRACTION SYS LIMITED message will be displayed. In
the limited mode, the traction-control system will only
use engine traction-control and is limited in it’s ability to
provide optimal performance since the system will
not utilize brake traction-control to control slip on the
drive wheels. The system will return to normal operation
after the brakes have cooled. This can take up to
two minutes or longer depending on brake usage.
Notice:If you have All-Wheel Drive with
StabiliTrak
®and allow the wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the traction off, ABS and
brake warning lights and the SERVICE STABILITY
message are displayed, you could damage the
transfer case. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Reduce engine power and do not
spin the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration, or may hear a noise
or vibration. This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message will
appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC), and the
cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-11.
StabiliTrak®may also turn off automatically if it
determines that a problem exists with the system. If the
problem does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
4-13