2004 Oldsmobile Alero traction control

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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 vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not 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 Enhanced Traction System, remember:
It helps to avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do
not have the Enhanced Traction 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 skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will 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.
4-15

Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the tire and loading information label. For an example
of this label and its location, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-34.
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 same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
load range, 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.{CAUTION:
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 temporarily, it was developed
for use on your vehicle. See “Compact Spare
Tire” in the index.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
5-65

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
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 (1.5) 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 – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades 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 straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-66

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/50R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/50R16 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-69

Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................5-61
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-16
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Passenger’s Side)....5-92
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver’s Side).............................................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks...........................5-90
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Key Removal.................................................2-30
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-27Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-24
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-29
Lift Seat, Power............................................... 1-7
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-29
Brake System Warning.................................3-28
Change Engine Oil......................................3-36
Charging System.........................................3-27
Cruise Control.............................................3-37
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active Light....3-31
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-30
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-32
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-37
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Oil Pressure...............................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-26
Security.....................................................3-37
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-38
Up-Shift.....................................................3-28
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-34
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
7

Traction (cont.)
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-30
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-22
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transaxle Operation, Manual............................2-25
Transmission
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-28
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-12
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit...................................2-14
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Trunk............................................................2-12
Trunk Lamp...................................................3-17
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-66
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-5
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-28Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-68
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-82
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-34
Parking Your...............................................2-30
Service Soon Light......................................3-38
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records....7-10
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-89
Service Parts Identification Label...................5-89
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-42
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-22
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-15
Visors...........................................................2-15
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-23
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
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