2007 BUICK LACROSSE traction control

TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays when the
TCS turns off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 294for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN and disappears after two seconds.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the traction
control button located on the center of the
instrument panel. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 294.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your dealer for
service.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is not
closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is
closed completely. SeeTrunk on page 100.This message displays while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds when the ignition is shifted
out of PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off
the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for
more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn
signal on. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 152.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. This message
clears from the DIC if the turn signal is manually
turned off, a turn is completed, or the message
is acknowledged.
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Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 286. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone, and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 286
Defensive Driving...................................... 286
Drunken Driving........................................ 287
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 290
Braking...................................................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 291
Braking in Emergencies............................. 293
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 294
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 295
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 296
Steering.................................................... 297
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 300
Passing..................................................... 300
Loss of Control.......................................... 302
Driving at Night......................................... 303
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 305City Driving............................................... 308
Freeway Driving........................................ 309
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 310
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 311
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 312
Winter Driving........................................... 314
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 318
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 319
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 319
Towing........................................................ 325
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 325
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 327
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
285

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 294.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 341.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 186.
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 the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have 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. It may also upshift the transaxle to limit
wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed when the system is limiting wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow safe use of the cruise control, it can be used
again. SeeCruise Control on page 154.The TCS operates in all transaxle shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle
only as high as the shift lever position that was
chosen, so use the lower gears only when
necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 114.
This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, will
display on the DIC for
three seconds when the
TCS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message will also
come on in the DIC. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
driving accordingly.
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To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you ever
need to. The TCS 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 319andIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 318.
To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button
located above the radio.
When the TCS is turned off, the TCS warning light
will come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message on the DIC. It will disappear when
the TCS is turned back on. If the TCS is limiting
wheel spin when the TCS button is pressed, the
TCS warning light will come on and the TCS will
turn off right away.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 341for more information.Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle 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. You may feel or
hear the system working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed when the system 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 154.
295

The 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. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 114.
This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, 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 message will also
come on in the DIC. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the ETS on.
But you can turn the system off if you ever
need to. The ETS should be turned off if the
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required.To turn the ETS on or off, press the ETS button
located above the radio.
When the ETS is turned off, the ETS warning light
will come on along with the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message on the DIC. It will
disappear when the ETS is turned back on. If the
ETS is limiting wheel spin when the traction
control button is pressed, the ETS warning light
will come on and the ETS will turn off right away.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle
stability enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.
It is an advanced computer controlled system
that assists you with directional control of
the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses
a discrepancy between your intended path
and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure
at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
296

When the system activates, a STABILITY
CONTROL ACTIVE message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 208. You may
also hear a noise or feel vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer the vehicle
in the direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM or STABILITY
CONTROL OFF message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). A warning light
will also appear on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 208.
When this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
StabiliTrak
®activates, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 154for more information.
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.
Steering Tips
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.
297