2004 HUMMER H2 brake light

You can only drive for a short time with the reading in
either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light will
ash when you set the parking brake. The light will ash if
the parking brake doesn’t release fully. If you try to drive
with the parking brake engaged, a chime will sound when
the vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a
problem.United States
Canada
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If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-65.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. You will also hear a chime
sound when the light is on steady. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. In
addition to both lights, you will also hear a chime sound
on the rst occurrence of a problem and each time the
vehicle is shut off and then restarted. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-33.
3-34

Traction Off Light
The traction off light will
come on when a traction
control system or anti-lock
brake system problem
has been detected.
The vehicle may need
service.
When this light is on, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) detects that the
vehicle’s brake’s are overheating, the TCS will shut off
and the traction off light will come on. When the
brakes cool off, the TCS will turn back on automatically
and the traction off light will go out.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F (100°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
uctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
United StatesCanada
3-35

SERVICE AIR BAG
If there is a problem with the air bag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have a qualied
technician inspect the system for problems. Pressing
the select button will clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If a problem occurs with the brake system, this message
will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display.
If the message is still displayed, or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service.
Pressing the select button will clear it from the
DIC display.
SERVICE 4WD
If a problem occurs with the all–wheel drive system, this
message will appear on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed,
or appears again when you begin driving, the four wheel
drive system needs service. Pressing the select button
will clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION
If a problem occurs with the suspension system, this
message will appear on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed,
or appears again when you begin driving, the air
suspension system needs service.
TURN SIGNAL ON
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the
off position. Pressing the select button will clear it from
the DIC display.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on the
DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as
possible. Pressing the select button will acknowledge
this message immediately and clear it from the DIC
display. It will also clear itself after 10 seconds. The low
fuel light near the fuel gage will still remain on in
either case.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
4-7

Another feature of this system is the Traction Control 2
(TC2) mode. TC2 should be selected for improved
traction and system performance when the vehicle is on
loose surfaces such as deep sand or mud.
To enter this mode,
press the TC2 button
located on the instrument
panel to the right of
the steering wheel.
TC2 only operates in the following transfer case modes:
4HI Lock
4LO Lock
4LO Lock and Rear Axle Lock
SeeLocking Rear Axle on page 4-11for more
information on the rear axle lock.It will not operate in 4HI. If the TC2 button is pressed
while in 4HI, the light will ash for about 15 seconds and
then go out. The light should also come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN; if it doesn’t see
your dealer for service.
If you restart your engine, the system reverts to the
standard TCS mode.
The traction off light will
come on when a Traction
Control System or
Anti-Lock Brake System
problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs
service. SeeTraction Off
Light on page 3-35.
When the traction off light is on, adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction control system, as delivered from the
factory, will automatically come on whenever you start
your vehicle.
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Brake and Throttle Operation
Techniques for Off-Road Driving
For logs, walls, rocks, severe ditches, hills, sand, etc.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Do not
overspeed the engine.
2. Select the proper transmission and transfer case
gear range; usually FIRST (1) gear, 4LO LOCK for
such obstacles.
3. If wheel spin is experienced, maintain steady
throttle, with your foot off the brake pedal, to
allow the TCS to control the wheel spin. TCS will
not operate if the brakes are applied, even slightly.
4. If wheel spin can not be controlled by the system,
fully press the brake pedal with your left foot so all
wheel spin is halted.
5. Back away from the obstacle such that a new
approach can be tried.
6. As the rst wheel crosses the obstacle, be prepared
to modulate the brake and throttle to maintain
control and avoid tire drop-off from obstacles.
Repeat the controlled process for the other wheels.For mounds, washouts, loose up-hill slopes,
ditches, etc.
4-27

When wheel spin occurs as the vehicle is moving, the
driver may notice a slight shaking or shuddering of
the vehicle. This should be stopped as soon as possible
to prevent damage to vehicle components. This is the
indication that a loss of traction is occuring on this
terrain. The operator should:
1. Reduce throttle, brake wheels.
2. Assess the terrain properly and adjust vehicle
speed and gear ranges accordingly: 4HI position
for higher speeds and 4LO LOCK for more torque
and lower speeds. Transmission FIRST (1) gear
is generally recommended.
3. Apply slight pressure to the brake when the shaking
or shuddering sensation is felt, keeping the vehicle
moving in a controlled manner.
4. Be prepared to modulate the brake and throttle
through the adverse terrain.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe
and close to home before you go into the wilderness.
Off-road driving does require some new and different
skills. Here is what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your
eyes, for example, need to constantly sweep the terrain
for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listenfor unusual tire or engine sounds. With your arms,
hands, feet and body, you will need to respond
to vibrations and vehicle bounce.
Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road
driving. One of the best ways to control your vehicle
is to control your speed. Here are some things to keep
in mind. At higher speeds:
you approach things faster and you have less time
to scan the terrain for obstacles.
you have less time to react.
you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over
obstacles.
you will need more distance for braking, especially
since you are on an unpaved surface.
{CAUTION:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily throw
you out of position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. So, whether you’re
driving on or off the road, you and your
passengers should wear safety belts.
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