If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a CHECK BRAKE FLUID message showing on the
DIC, 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. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-38andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53for more information.
{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, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
“SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
brie y when you turn the ignition on. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-39
OPTION Button
The OPTION button allows you to access the
PERSONAL OPTIONS menu and customize the
personalization settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-68for more
information.
RESET Button
The RESET button, used along with other buttons, will
reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
DIC Warnings and Messages
The following messages and warnings may appear in
the DIC display. The DIC display area is located in the
instrument panel cluster below the speedometer and
tachometer, directly above the steering column.
You may receive more than one message at a time.
Messages will appear one behind the other. To
acknowledge a message and remove it from the display,
press the RESET button. You may scroll through the
messages that may have been sent at the same time.
The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle performance status.
ABS ACTIVE (Anti-Lock Brake System Active):When
your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help
avoid a braking skid, the ABS ACTIVE message will be
displayed.Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the system
stops adjusting brake pressure.
ACTIVE HANDLING:Your vehicle has a computer
controlled system to assist the driver in controlling the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions. You may feel
or hear the system working and see the ACTIVE
HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. This
message will stay on for a few seconds following the
active handling event. This is normal when the system is
operating. SeeActive Handling System on page 4-10
andBraking on page 4-6.
ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING:This message
will display and the active handling system light on the
instrument panel cluster will be on while the system is
calibrating after exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for
10 seconds. SeeActive Handling System Light on
page 3-40. The Active Handling System is not functional
yet. The Active Handling System performance is affected
until the next message ACTIVE HANDLING READY is
displayed. The Active Handling System is off until the
ACTIVE HANDLING READY message is displayed.
SeeActive Handling System on page 4-10for more
information.
3-53
BUCKLE SEATBELT:This message reminds you to
buckle the driver’s seat belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle
your seat belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will
be repeated. If the driver’s seat belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-34for more
information.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL:This message will appear when
the life of the engine oil has expired. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4. After an oil change, the engine
oil life system must be reset. See “Engine Oil Life” under
DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-48. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16andEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-23for more information.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID:This message will appear, a
chime will sound, and the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster will be on if the ignition is
on to inform the driver that the brake uid level is
low. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-42.CHECK COOLANT LEVEL:This message will appear
when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have
the cooling system serviced by your GM dealer as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-29.
CHECK GAS CAP:If the gas cap has not been fully
tightened, this message will appear. You should
check your gas cap to ensure that it is on properly.
Once tightened, it will take at least one overnight park
to reset or clear this message. If there is a CHECK GAS
CAP message and a malfunction indicator lamp on in
the instrument panel cluster, you may need to see your
GM dealer for service. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-42for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL:Press the RESET button to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. Once
the vehicle senses a change in the engine oil level, the
light will remain off.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You
may need to add oil. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-32.
3-55
CLOSE TRUNK TO MOVE TOP:This message will
display and a chime will sound if the trunk is open while
you are trying to operate the convertible top. Make
sure the trunk is closed before operating the convertible
top. SeeConvertible Top (Manual) on page 2-60or
Convertible Top (Power) on page 2-67.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE:When the Competitive
Driving mode is selected, this message will be
displayed in the DIC and a short chime will sound.
The instrument panel cluster light will not be on when
the Competitive Driving mode is selected. The Traction
Control System will not be operating while in the
Competitive Driving mode. You should adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeRacing or Other Competitive
Driving on page 4-18for more information.
COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE:You will hear a
chime when this message is displayed. To acknowledge
the warning, press the RESET button. After you press
the RESET button, a message will be displayed and
you will hear a chime every minute until this condition
changes. If you do not press the RESET button,
the message will remain on the digital display until the
condition changes.If the engine coolant exceeds 255°F (124°C), this
message is displayed. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. You can monitor the coolant
temperature with the GAGES button on the DIC or
the engine coolant gage on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-32.
CRUISE DISENGAGED:This message will momentarily
appear when you disengage the cruise control system
by stepping on the brake on an automatic transmission
vehicle or the clutch on a manual transmission vehicle
or by turning off the cruise control switch. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-11for more information.
ENGINE DRAG CONTROL ACTIVE:This message
displays when engine drag control is active. When
driving in a lower gear in rainy, snowy or icy conditions,
and then letting up on the accelerator or downshifting,
the rear wheels may begin to slip and this message
appears. This message will stay on for a few seconds
following the engine drag control event.
ENGINE OVERHEATED – STOP ENGINE:This
message will appear along with a continuous chime when
the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the engine off
immediately to avoid severe engine damage. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-32.
3-56
NO FOB - OFF OR RUN?:When this message
displays, it means that the keyless access transmitter
is not detected inside the vehicle while you are trying
to turn the ignition off. Your vehicle may be near a strong
radio antenna signal causing the keyless access
system to be jammed. The vehicle will remain in
ACCESSORY until OFF or START has been pressed
or ve minutes has expired. If you turn the ignition
off and you cannot nd the keyless access transmitter,
you will not be able to restart the vehicle. The keyless
access transmitter needs to be inside of the vehicle
in order for the vehicle to start. SeeStarting the Engine
on page 2-23for more information.
OPTIONS UNAVAILABLE:This message is displayed
for a few seconds if a keyless access transmitter
that is not labelled 1 or 2 is used and you try to
personalize the features on your vehicle by pressing
the OPTION button. The personalization system will
not recognize the transmitter and the DIC will not display
the current driver number or the menus used to set
personalizations. The personalization features will
then be set to the default states. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-68for more information.
PRESS BRAKE TO START ENGINE (Automatic
Transmission Only):This message is displayed if you
try to start the engine by pressing the keyless ignition
start button without having the brake pressed. The brake
needs to be pressed when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-22for more information.REDUCED ENGINE POWER:You will hear multiple
chimes when this message is displayed. To acknowledge
that you have read the message and to remove it from
the display, press the RESET button. The message will
reappear every ve minutes until this condition changes.
If the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message and the CHECK
ENGINE light comes on, a noticeable reduction in the
vehicle’s performance may occur. If the REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message is displayed but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while
the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime the
CHECK ENGINE light stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your GM dealer as soon as possible for
diagnosis and repair.
Also, seeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-42.Ifthe
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed in
combination with the COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE
message, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-32.
3-60
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM:If the
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM message is
displayed, there is a problem with your Active Handling
System and your vehicle needs service. See your
GM dealer. The instrument cluster light will also be
on and a chime will sound. When this message
is displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeActive Handling System
on page 4-10for more information.
SERVICE AIR CONDITIONING:This message
displays when the electronic sensors that control the
air conditioning and heating systems are no longer
working. Have the climate control system serviced by
your GM dealer if you notice a drop in heating and
air conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES:If the SERVICE
ANTILOCK BRAKES message is displayed when you
are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the message stays on, or comes back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle is in need
of service. See your GM dealer. If the anti-lock
brake system warning light is on and the regular brake
system warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system light is also on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your brakes. See
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39
andBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.If the SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES message is being
displayed, your Traction Control System and the
Active Handling System will also be disabled. The Driver
Information Center will scroll three messages: SERVICE
ANTILOCK BRAKES, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM,
and SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING, and the instrument
cluster lights will be illuminated along with a chime.
The driver can acknowledge these messages by
pressing the RESET button. When the service message
is displayed the computer controlled systems will not
assist the driver and you should have the system
repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM:Press the RESET
button to acknowledge that you have read the message
and to remove it from the display. The message will
reappear every 10 minutes until this condition changes.
You will hear multiple chimes when this message is
displayed.
If this message comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away by your GM dealer. Driving while this warning
message is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
3-61
TOP NOT SECURE:This message displays and a
chime sounds when the power convertible top button
is released before the top open or close operation
is complete or if the top is closed without the header
latch engaged. Press and hold the convertible top button
to fully open or close the top, and make sure that the
header latch is engaged after the top is closed.
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING – OFF:By pressing the Active Handling
System console button for ve seconds, the driver can
turn the Traction Control and Active Handling Systems
off. The message TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING – OFF will be displayed in the DIC, the
instrument panel cluster light will be on and a chime will
sound. You can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. The anti-lock brake systems remains
on with the Traction Control and Active Handling Systems
off. You should adjust your driving accordingly.
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING ON:
If the Traction Control and Active Handling Systems are
off, pressing the Active Handling System console button
momentarily will turn both systems on. The message
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – ON will
be displayed temporarily in the DIC, the instrument panel
cluster light will be off and a chime will sound.TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE:When your Traction
Control System is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION
SYSTEM ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The message
will stay on for a few seconds after the Traction Control
System stops limiting wheel spin.
TRACTION SYSTEM – OFF:You will hear a single
quick tone when this message is displayed and the
traction control system warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-40. This message comes
on and stays on when the Active Handling System
console button is pressed to turn the system off. To
acknowledge this message, press the RESET button.
TRACTION SYSTEM – ON:You will hear a single quick
tone when this message is displayed. This message
is displayed when you decide to turn on the Traction
Control System by pressing the Active Handling System
console button on the console. This message will
shut off automatically on its own.
3-65
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 4-9andActive Handling System on page 4-10.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modi cations
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
4-6