1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC traction control

Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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Cruise control can b'e dangerous where you7-'" ;: 1
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't 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. Don't
use cruise control
on slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40km/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 shuts off.
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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.
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 (Option)
This steering system provides lighter 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
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen
on curves. Here’s 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’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction.
If you’ve eva
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll 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’re
in
a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re 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. Unless you have the Trac System
and the system is on, adding
the sudden acceleration can
demand too much
of those places. You can lose control.
Refer to “Trac System” in the Index.
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.
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’ll want to go slower.
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Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Pontiac’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering
skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering
skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Trac System, remember: It helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If
you do not have the Trac System, or if the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go.
If you start..steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second slud
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material
is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It
is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking
(including engine braking by shifting
to a lower gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You
may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle
is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a
“mirrored surface”
-- and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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g New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you get new tires,
get ones with that sarne TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service
on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires. Reset Tire
Inflation Monitor
(TIM).
I
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted
tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have
a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same
size and type tires
on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system
does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is
based on braking (straightahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering '(turning) traction.
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Lights Lubrication Service. Body ........................ 7-40 Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-23. 2-65 Lumbar Seat .................................... 1-4
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-67. 4-7
Brake System Warning ......................... 2-66
Charging System
............................. 2-66 Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-73
Check Tire Pressure ........ 2-70 Maintenance Record 7-46
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-74 Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7-1 Interior ..................................... 2-40 Introtduction .................................. 7-2
Low Coolant Warning ......................... 2-75 Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-6
LowFuel ................................... 2-77 Long TripMighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Low Traction
................................ 2-69 Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-43
Low Washer Fluid ............................ 2-76
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-44
Oil Warning ................................. 2-73 Scheduled Maintenance Services .................. 7-3
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-9. 2-64 Short TriplCity Definition ....................... 7-5
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-70 Short Trip/City Intervals .........................
Trac System Warning .......................... 2-68 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................ 7-2
Trunk
Ajar Warning ........................... 2-76 Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-63
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29 Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-38
Automatic Door .......................... 2-6. 2-46 Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Door ........................................ 2-4 Mirrors ....................................... 2-53
Ignition Transaxle Check ....................... 7-42 Convex Outside .............................. 2-54
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-40 Electrochromic Daymight Rearview .............. 2-53
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-44 Visor Vanity .................................. 2-59
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-75 ......................................... 6-4
LOW Fuel Light ................................ 2-77 Mode Buttons. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control .. 3-6 LOW Oil Level Light ............................ 2-74 Mode Knob. climate Control System ................ 3-2
LOW Traction Light ............................. 2-69 Mountain Roads ................................ 4-23 Low Washer muid Light ......................... 2-76 Multifunc$iQn Lever ............................. 2-32
............ ............................
LowOilLevel ............................... 2-74 Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-39
7-5
......................................... ...................... Locks 2-4 Malfunction Indicator Lap 2-70
Cylinders 7-40 Methanol 6-4 ................................... ......................................
PowerDoor .................................. 2-5 Inside DayNight Rearview ..................... 2-53
Pawar Outside
2-54
Trunk ...................................... 2-12 ...............................
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-44
9-6
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