traction control CHEVROLET VENTURE 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-7
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-16
Interior Lamps..............................................3-18
Switchbanks.................................................3-21
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-21
Overhead Console Switchbank.......................3-22
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-22
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-25
Climate Controls............................................3-26
Climate Control System.................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-29
Rear Climate Control System
(Without Entertainment System)...................3-29
Rear Climate Control System
(With Entertainment System).......................3-32
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-34Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-36
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-37
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-39
Tachometer.................................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-41
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-42
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-43
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-45
Fuel Gage...................................................3-49
Message Center.............................................3-50
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-50
Traction Active Message................................3-51
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-52
Charging System Indicator Message................3-52
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-53
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-54
Power Sliding Door Warning Message.............3-54
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Cruise Control
Your vehicle may have cruise control. 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, the cruise control
disengages.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 4-10. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-12

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the
interior lamps on. If you leave any interior lamps on while
the ignition is in LOCK or OFF, they will automatically turn
off after 10 minutes. The lamps will not come back on
again until you do one of the following:
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY.
Turn the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way to the
right, then slightly back to the left.
Open a closed door, or close and reopen a door.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Switchbanks
There are two sets of switchbanks located in the front of
the vehicle. The switches will vary with the options
that are on your vehicle.
Instrument Panel Switchbank
The instrument panel switchbank is located in the
instrument panel below the comfort controls. This
switchbank may include the following:
Rear Fan Knob. SeeRear Climate Control System
(Without Entertainment System) on page 3-29or
Rear Climate Control System (With Entertainment
System) on page 3-32.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer. See “Rear Window
Wiper/Washer” underTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-8.
Traction Control Switches. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-10.
If your vehicle does not have some of these options,
there will be a blank.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the rear climate
control system, there will be a storage space in
this switchbank. The rubber mat can be removed for
cleaning. Snap the mat into place after cleaning.
3-21

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle may have this
light. If it does, the anti-lock
brake system warning light
should come on for a few
seconds when you turn the
ignition key to RUN.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have 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 TCS
button located in the instrument panel switchbank
the warning light will come on and stay on. To
turn the system back on, press the button again.
The warning light should go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10for more
information.
United StatesCanada
3-43

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
United StatesCanada
3-44

Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. All
these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or a little less fuel to ll up than
the gage reads. For example, the gage reads half
full, but it took more or less than half of the
tank’s capacity to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.
Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument
panel cluster. It gives you important safety and
maintenance facts.
Service Traction System Warning
Message
If your vehicle has the traction control system and this
message is displayed when you’re driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system. Your
vehicle may need service.United States
Canada
3-50

When this message is displayed, the traction control
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The message may appear for the following reasons:
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning message will
come on.
If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning message 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 message will come on.
If the traction control system warning message comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Traction Active Message
If your vehicle has the traction control system, the
TRACTION ACTIVE message will appear when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin.United States
Canada
3-51

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-25
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-26
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-26
Winter Driving..............................................4-28
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow . . .4-32
Towing..........................................................4-33
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-33
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-34
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-35
Level Control...............................................4-40
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-41
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. 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 and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on when
the traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Active Message on page 3-42. 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
reengage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.If this message comes on and stays on or comes on
while you are driving, there’s a problem with your
traction control system.
SeeService Traction System Warning Message on
page 3-41. When this warning message is on, the
TRAC OFF light will come on to remind you that the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking
Your Vehicle” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow on page 4-32. United States
Canada
4-10

To turn the system off,
press the TCS button
located on the instrument
panel switchbank.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the traction active message will go off, but
the system will not turn off until there is no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin. The TRAC OFF light will
come on to remind you the system is off. You can
turn the system back on at any time by pressing the
button again. The traction control system warning
message should go off.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may
be reduced to protect AWD system components. If the
vehicle is exposed to extended heavy AWD usage, the
AWD system will shut itself off to protect the system from
overheating. When the system cools down, the AWD
system will activate itself again automatically; this
cool-down can take up to 20 minutes depending on
outside temperature and vehicle use. SeeAll-Wheel
Drive Disable Warning Message on page 3-46.
4-11