2005 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER traction control

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps on
page 3-14. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome
Lamp Override on page 3-18. Instrument Panel
Brightness Control. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-17. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-27.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
E. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-19.
F. Transfer Case Controls. See “Automatic Transfer
Case” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-27.
Traction Assist Button. SeeTraction Assist System
(TAS) on page 4-8.
G. Rear Window Washer/Wiper. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-10.H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-62.
I. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-20.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-20.
L. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-32.
M. Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-20.
N. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-19.
O. Rear Window Defogger. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underDual Climate Control System on
page 3-20andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-23.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-53.
3-5

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. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot 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.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
Setting Cruise Control
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the set button at the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The accelerator pedal will not go down.
3-12

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-7
Traction Assist System (TAS)...........................4-8
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle....................................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-28
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-29City Driving..................................................4-32
Freeway Driving...........................................4-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-34
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-35
Winter Driving..............................................4-37
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-41
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-42
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-42
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-43
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-49
Towing..........................................................4-49
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-49
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-49
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-53
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Traction Assist System (TAS)
Your two-wheel drive vehicle may have a Traction
Assist System (TAS) 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
rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The low traction symbol next to the button will come on
when the TAS is limiting wheel spin. You may feel or
hear the system working, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you
may notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal
and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard
acceleration in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 3-11.When the traction control
off symbol on the button is
on, the TAS is off and
will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction control off symbol on the button will come
on under the following conditions:
The Traction Assist System is turned off, either by
pressing the on/off button or by turning off the
automatic engagement feature of the TAS.
The transmission is in FIRST (1) gear; TAS will not
operate in this gear. This is normal.
The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road.
When the vehicle leaves the rough surface, slows
down or stops, the light will go off and TAS will
be on again. This is normal.
A Traction Assist System, Anti-Lock Brake System
or engine-related problem has been detected and
the vehicle needs service.
4-8

The Traction Assist System, as delivered from the
factory, will automatically come 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 TAS off if you ever need
to. You should turn the TAS off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
on page 4-42andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow on page 4-41for more information.
To turn the system on or off, press the TAS button
located near the shift lever. If you used the button to turn
the system off, the traction control off symbol on the
button will come on and stay on.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The traction control off symbol
on the button should go off.
If desired, you can change the TAS automatic
engagement feature so that the system will not come on
automatically when the engine is started. To do so:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN.
2. Move the shift lever to NEUTRAL (N).
3. Apply the brake pedal and press the accelerator
pedal to the oor.4. Press and hold the TAS button for at least
six seconds.
5. Release the TAS button and both pedals.
6. Start the engine and wait a few seconds.
The next time you start your vehicle, the TAS will not
automatically come on. You can restore the automatic
feature by using the same procedure. Whether the TAS
is set to come on automatically or not, you can always
turn the system on or off by pressing the TAS button.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the
time, but when one of the rear wheels has no traction
and the other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
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.
4-9

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 Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-8.
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 will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-10

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 Traction Assist System (TAS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
SeeTraction Assist System (TAS) on page 4-8.Ifyou
do not have this 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.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14

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 are
driving on or off the road, you and your
passengers should wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds
of terrain. You need to be familiar with the terrain
and its many different features. Here are some things to
consider.
Surface Conditions:Off-roading can take you over
hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow
or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering,
acceleration and braking of your vehicle in different
ways. Depending upon the kind of surface you are on,
you may experience slipping, sliding, wheel spinning,
delayed acceleration, poor traction and longer braking
distances.
Surface Obstacles:Unseen or hidden obstacles can
be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle
you if you are not prepared for them. Often these
obstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even
the rise and fall of the terrain itself. Here are some
things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
There is more discussion of these subjects later.
Will you have to stop suddenly or change direction
quickly?
4-18