traction control PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2007 User Guide

TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
This symbol comes on
with this message.
If the vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), this message displays when the system is
on. TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE also
appears in the Head-Up Display (HUD), if your
vehicle has this feature.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN and will not disappear until driving
conditions change and the TCS is no longer
active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared
from the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on
with this message.
If the vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), this message displays when the TCS turns
off. TRACTION CONTROL OFF also appears
in the Head-Up Display (HUD), if your vehicle has
this feature. This message only displays while
the ignition is in RUN and disappears after
three seconds. A chime sounds once and the
message stays on for three seconds and
then disappears. A warning light indicating that
this system is deactivated also appears on
the instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 178or
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
on page 179.
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Any of the following conditions may cause the
TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the
TC (traction control) button located on
the center console. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 292orEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 293for more
information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your dealer for
service.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays if the vehicle is driven for
more than 0.75 mile (1.21 km) while one of
the turn signals are on. It appears as a reminder
to turn off the turn signal.
This message only displays when the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds for two seconds and the
message will not disappear until the turn signal is
manually turned off, or a turn is completed.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities
that allow you to program certain features to
one preferred setting. Customization features can
only be programmed to one setting on the
vehicle and cannot be programmed to a preferred
setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be
available on your vehicle. Only the options
available will be displayed on your DIC.
The default settings for the customization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default
state since then. The customization preferences
are automatically recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the
following procedure.
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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 284. 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.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle..................................................... 284
Defensive Driving...................................... 284
Drunken Driving........................................ 285
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 288
Braking...................................................... 288
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 289
Braking in Emergencies............................. 291
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 292
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 293
StabiliTrak
®Plus System........................... 295
Steering.................................................... 296
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 299
Passing..................................................... 299
Loss of Control.......................................... 301
Driving at Night......................................... 302Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 303
City Driving............................................... 306
Freeway Driving........................................ 307
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 308
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 309
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 309
Winter Driving........................................... 311
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 316
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 316
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 317
Towing........................................................ 322
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 322
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 322
Towing a Trailer........................................ 324
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
283

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
Control System (TCS) on page 292and
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 293.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 336.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 176.
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) 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,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 Supercharged V6
engine or the 5.3L V8 engine, it has a Traction
Control System (TCS) 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.
This symbol, along with
the TRACTION
CONTROL ACTIVE
message, comes on the
DIC screen when the
system is active.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.When the traction control system is not working,
one of these symbols will come on the instrument
panel cluster.
This symbol is located
on the instrument panel
cluster.
This symbol, along with the message TRACTION
CONTROL OFF will display in the DIC for
three seconds when the traction control system
is disabled.
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If there is a problem with the system, the service
traction system will also appear on the DIC.
When these symbols and messages appear on
the instrument panel and the DIC, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever the vehicle is started. To limit
wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
always leave the system on. But the traction
control system can be turned off if needed. The
system should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud, or snow and rocking the
vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 316andIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 316for
more information.
Press the traction
control button located
on the console to
turn the system off.If the system is limiting wheel spin when the
traction control button is pressed, the system will
turn off instantly. Turn the system back on at
any time by pressing the button again.
If the 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 safe use of it, the cruise
control can be used again. SeeCruise Control on
page 140.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 336for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine and anti-lock
brakes, it has an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) 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 reduces
engine power and may also upshift the transaxle
to limit wheel spin.
293

This symbol comes on
the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when
the ETS is limiting
wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow safe use of it, the cruise control can be used
again. SeeCruise Control on page 140.
ETS operates in all transaxle shift lever positions.
But the system can upshift the transaxle only
as high as the chosen shift lever position, so use
the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 110.One of these lights will appear on the instrument
panel to indicate that the ETS is not on.
This symbol, along
with the message
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF will display on the
DIC for three seconds
when the ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the service
traction system will also come on in the DIC.
SeeEnhanced Traction System Warning Light on
page 179. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust driving
accordingly.
294

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, the ETS should always be left on. But
the system can be turned off. The system should be
turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 316andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 316for more
information.
Press the traction
control button located
on the console to
turn the system off.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when the
button is pressed, the system will turn off instantly.
Press the traction control button again to turn
the system on.StabiliTrak®Plus System
The vehicle may have a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®Plus. It is
an advanced computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®Plus comes on whenever the vehicle
is started. It activates when the computer
senses a discrepancy between the intended path
and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®Plus selectively applies braking
pressure at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to
help control the vehicle in the steering direction.
This symbol, along
with the STABILITY
CONTROL ACTIVE
message comes on the
Driver Information
Center (DIC).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 200.
You may also hear a noise or feel vibration in the
brake pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer
the vehicle in the desired direction.
295

This symbol will appear
on the DIC.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®
Plus, this symbol along with the SERVICE
STABILITY SYSTEM warning message will
come on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 200.
When this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
To turn the StabiliTrak
®system off (GXP only),
press and hold the traction control button for more
than ve seconds. A message will appear on the
DIC indicating that StabiliTrak
®has been turned off.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when StabiliTrak
®
Plus activates, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of
it, the cruise control can be used again. SeeCruise
Control on page 140for more information.
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.
Variable Effort Steering
If your vehicle has this steering system, the system
provides less steering effort for parking and when
driving at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h). Steering
effort will increase at higher speeds for improved
road feel.
Steering Tips
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.
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