2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX traction control

TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
ACTIVE message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the system is on. TRACTION
CONTROL ACTIVE will also appear in the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if equipped.
This message only displays while the ignition is in RUN
and will not disappear until driving conditions change
and the traction control is no longer active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from
the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the traction control system
turns off. TRACTION CONTROL OFF will also appear in
the Head-Up Display (HUD), if equipped. This message
will only display while the ignition is in RUN and will
disappear after three seconds. A chime will sound once
and the message will stay on for three seconds and
then disappear. A warning light indicating that this
system is deactivated will also appear on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-42orEnhanced Traction
System Warning Light on page 3-42.
3-91

Any of the following conditions may cause the traction
control system to turn off:
The traction control system is turned off by pressing
the TC (traction control) button located on the
center console. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-9orEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 4-10for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a traction control system failure. See your
GM dealer for service.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message will comes on if the vehicle is driven
for more than 0.75 mile (1.21 km) with one of the turn
signals on. It appears as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal.
This message only displays when the ignition is in RUN.
A chime will sound for two seconds and the message
will not disappear until the turn signal is manually turned
off, or a turn is completed.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone, or two-way radio, make sure that it can
be added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added,
it is very important to do it properly. Added
sound equipment may interfere with the operation
of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of sound equipment
that has been added improperly.
Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, nd
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-22for more
information.
3-92

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)....................4-10
StabiliTrak
®Plus System...............................4-12
Steering......................................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-18Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19
City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-26
Winter Driving..............................................4-28
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-33
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing..........................................................4-38
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-38
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-38
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-40
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
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 4-9andEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-10.
4-5

Traction Control System (TCS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 Supercharged V6 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, this
symbol will come 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.
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 4-33andIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow on page 4-32for more information.
4-9

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 3-10.Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine and anti-lock
brakes, it may have 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.
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 3-10.
4-10

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. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25.
This warning light appears
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. See
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-42.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.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 4-33andIf You
Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-32for
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.
4-11

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 3-69. 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.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 3-69. When
this message is displayed, the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
To turn the StabiliTrak
®system off, 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 3-10for more information.
4-12