traction control GMC SIERRA 2007 Owner's Manual

Grade Braking is not available when the Range
Selection Mode is active. SeeTow/Haul Mode on
page 144.
While using the Range Selection mode feature,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul mode can
be used.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be covered by
your warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin
the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission®,or
the Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Automatic
Transmission, it has a Low Traction Mode that
assist in vehicle acceleration when road conditions
are slippery, such as with ice or snow. While
the vehicle is at a stop, select the second gear
range using the Range Selection system. This will
limit torque to the wheels after it detects wheel
slip, preventing the tires from spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it
has a tow/haul mode. If your vehicle has an Allison
or Hydra-Matic
®6-speed automatic transmission
see “Tow/Haul Mode (Allison or Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Automatic Transmission®) following.
144

Cruise Control
{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
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
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, cruise control
is turned off.If your vehicle has an Allison
®automatic
transmission, see “Grade Braking and Cruise
Grade Braking (Allison Transmission
®) under
Tow/Haul Mode on page 144for an explanation of
how cruise control interacts with the range selection
mode, tow/haul and grade braking systems.
If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®™ system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 381. When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located on
left side of the
steering wheel.
218

SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system, this message displays
if there is a problem with the URPA system. Do
not use this system to help you park. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 228for more information. See your dealer
for service.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®and this message
displays, it means there may be a problem with the
StabiliTrak
®system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system. Stop; turn off the engine for at
least 15 seconds; then start the engine again. If this
message still comes on, it means there is a
problem. You should see your dealer for service.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however, you do not
have the benet of StabiliTrak
®, so reduce your
speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system. The vehicle may or
may not restart so you may want to take thevehicle to your dealer before turning off the
engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+ Operation on
page 130for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) system, this message displays if a part on
the system is not working properly. If you drive
your vehicle while any of the four sensors
are missing or inoperable, the warning comes on
in about 20 minutes. A sensor would be missing,
for example, if you put different wheels on
your vehicle without transferring the sensors. If the
warning comes on and stays on, there may be
a problem with the TPM. See your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
displays when there is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this message
displays, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 381
for more information.
286

TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel cluster if
the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 260.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 493. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message displays when the system
is re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 268orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 275for
more information. The tire positions must be
re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing
a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 565,Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 561, andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 559for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
displays when the Traction Control System (TCS)
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 381for more
information.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, this message displays
briey when a trailer with electric brakes is
rst connected to the vehicle.
This message clears itself after several seconds.
This message also clears if you acknowledge
it. After this message clears, the TRAILER
GAIN/OUTPUT display appears in the DIC.
See “TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT” underDIC
Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 268orDIC Operation and Displays (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 275and “Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” underTowing a
Trailer on page 445for more information.
288

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 374. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
300

Navigation/Radio System
Your vehicle may have a navigation radio system.
The navigation system has built-in features
intended to minimize driver distraction. Technology
alone, no matter how advanced, can never
replace your own judgment. See the Navigation
System manual for some tips to help you
reduce distractions while driving.
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Your vehicle may have a DVD Rear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) system. The RSE system
works with the vehicle’s audio system. The
DVD player is part of the front radio. The RSE
system includes a radio with a DVD player, a video
display screen, audio/video jacks, two wireless
headphones, and a remote control. SeeRadio with
CD and DVD (MP3) on page 322for more
information on the vehicle’s audio/DVD system.
Before You Drive
The RSE is designed for rear seat passengers
only. The driver cannot safely view the video
screen while driving and should not try to do so.
In severe or extreme weather conditions the
RSE system might not work until the temperature
is within the operating range. The operating
range for the RSE system is above−4°F (−20°C)
or below 140°F (60°C). If the temperature of
your vehicle is outside of this range, heat or cool
the vehicle until the temperature is within the
operating range of the RSE system.
Parental Control
The RSE system could have a Parental Control
feature, depending on the radio. The Parental
Control feature turns off the video screen and Rear
Seat Audio (RSA). This feature also disables all
button operations from the remote control and
all audio button operations from the RSA.
This feature can be used to gain the attention of
the rear passengers that are using headphones.
355

Remember: ABS 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 ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear
axle can give you additional traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels
has no traction and the other does, this feature will
allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
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.
381

If the system fails to turn on or activate, the
StabiliTrak®light along with one of the following
messages will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC): TRACTION CONTROL
OFF, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,
STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE STABILITRAK. If
these DIC messages appear, make sure the
StabiliTrak
®system has not been turned off using
the StabiliTrak®on/off button. Then turn the
steering wheel clockwise from the nine o’clock
position to the three o’clock position. If this clears
the message(s), your vehicle does not need
servicing. If this does not clear the message(s),
then turn the vehicle off, wait 15 seconds, and then
turn it back on again to reset the system. If any
of these messages still appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), your vehicle should be
taken in for service. For more information on
the DIC messages, seeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 267.The StabiliTrak
®light
will ash on the
instrument panel cluster
when the system is
both on and activated.
You may also feel or hear the system working;
this is normal.
The traction control
disable button is located
on the instrument
panel below the climate
controls.
The traction control part of StabiliTrak
®can be
turned off by pressing and releasing the
StabiliTrak
®button if both systems (traction control
and StabiliTrak®) were previously on. To disable
both traction control and StabiliTrak®, press
and hold the button for ve seconds.
Traction control and StabiliTrak
®can be turned on
by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak®button if
not automatically shut off for any other reason.
382

When the TCS or StabiliTrak®system is turned
off, the StabiliTrak®light and the appropriate TCS
off or StabiliTrak®off message will be displayed
on the DIC to warn the driver. Your vehicle will still
have brake-traction control when traction control
is off, but will not be able to use the engine speed
management system. See “Traction Control
Operation” next for more information.
When the traction control 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 422.
When the transfer case is in 4LO, the stability
system is automatically disabled, the StabiliTrak
®
light will come on and the STABILITRAK OFF
message will appear on the DIC. Both traction
control and StabiliTrak
®are automatically disabled
in this condition.
383

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. It will
activate and the StabiliTrak
®light will ash if
it senses that any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction while driving. If you turn
off traction control, only the brake-traction
control portion of traction control will work. The
engine speed management will be disabled. In this
mode, engine power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin more freely.
This can cause the brake-traction control to
activate constantly.Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle
to spin excessively while the StabiliTrak
®, ABS
and brake warning lights and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK 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 StabiliTrak
®light will ash and the
cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to use cruise
again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 218.
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.
384