traction control PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2004 Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Windshield Wiper Lever.................................3-13
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-18
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-22
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-25
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-26
Climate Controls............................................3-27
Climate Control System.................................3-27
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-29
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-34
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-35
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-36
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-37
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-39
Tachometer.................................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-40
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-41
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-42Brake System Warning Light..........................3-42
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-44
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-45
Low Traction Active Light...............................3-46
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-47
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-48
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-48
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-52
Check Oil Level Light....................................3-53
Security Light...............................................3-53
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-53
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-54
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-54
Trunk Ajar Light............................................3-55
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-55
Fuel Gage...................................................3-56
Systems Monitor............................................3-57
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-58
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-58
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-61
Driver Identier DIC Display...........................3-63
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-64
Secondary Information Center (SIC).................3-70
Electronic Compass......................................3-70
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. See “Air Outlets” underOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-34.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-105.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. See “Windshield Wipers”
underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E. Steering Column Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-29.
F. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls (If
Equipped). SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-58.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-73.H. Hazard Warning Flashers Control. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
I. Twilight Sentinel
®Controls and Fog Lamps Button.
See “Twilight Sentinel” and “Fog Lamps” under
Exterior Lamps on page 3-14.
J. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-26.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-27andAutomatic Climate Control
System on page 3-29.
L. Heated Seat Switches (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-5.
M. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
N. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-26.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-48.
3-5

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.
The cruise control switch is
located on the lever on the
left side of the steering
column.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 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 4-9. 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
For vehicles equipped with
the traction control system,
this warning light should
come on briey when
the engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If
it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there may
be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TRACTION CONTROL button located on the center
console, 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 4-9for more
information.
If there is 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.
3-45

Low Traction Active Light
Your LOW TRAC (Low
Traction Active) light may
come on for one of the
following reasons:
An advanced computer-controlled system called
Stabilitrak®(if equipped) has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you’re
steering. This stability enhancement system
activates when the computer senses that your
vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a
patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road. When
the system is on, you may hear a noise or feel a
vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.In these situations when the LOW TRAC light is on
and the system is engaged, you should continue to
steer in the direction you want to go. The system is
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult
driving situations by making the most of whatever
road conditions will permit.
The optional Traction Control System is active and is
limiting wheel spin. You may feel the system working,
but this is normal. Slippery road conditions may exist,
so adjust your driving accordingly.
If the LOW TRAC light comes on, slippery road
conditions may exist, so you should consider slowing
down and adjusting your driving accordingly.
3-46

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).........................4-9
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-23
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-30
Towing..........................................................4-31
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-31
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-39
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. Also seeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 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 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph
(100 km/h) travels 66 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 (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
4-6

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 rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
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 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.
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 3-7.
4-9

This light should come on
briey when you start the
engine. If it stays on or
comes on while you
are driving, there is a
problem with your traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-45. When this warning light is on, 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 To Get It Out”
underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.To turn the system off,
press the TRACTION
CONTROL button located
on the instrument panel
under the comfort controls.
The traction control system warning light in the
instrument cluster will come on and stay on. If the
system is limiting wheel spin when you press the button,
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.
The switch indicator light should go back on.
4-10

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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle may have this optional steering system
that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when
parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
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 4-9.
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.
If you have Stabilitrak®, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. See “Stability System Active Message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-61.
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.
4-11