SERVICE A/C
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 dealer
if you notice a drop in heating and air conditioning
efficiency.
SERVICE ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
If this message displays 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 dealer.
If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed,
the Traction Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak
®System will also be disabled. The
Driver Information Center will scroll three
messages: SERVICE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION
SYS, and SERVICE STABILITRAK, and the
anti-lock brake system and traction control warning
lights on the instrument panel cluster will beilluminated. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light on page 193andTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 194. The driver can
acknowledge these messages by pressing the
RESET button three times. When the service
message is displayed, the computer controlled
systems will not assist the driver and you should
have the system repaired by your dealer as
soon as possible. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE AFS (Adaptive Forward
Lighting System) LAMPS
This message displays when the Adaptive
Forward Lighting System (AFS) is disabled and
needs service. See your dealer. SeeAdaptive
Forward Lighting System on page 167for more
information.
SERVICE ELECT (Electrical) SYSTEM
This message displays if an electrical problem has
occurred within the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM). Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
214
SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays if the vehicle is not in
PARK (P) when the engine is being turned off. The
vehicle will be in accessory mode. Once the
shift lever is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will
turn off.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
You may see this message on the DIC. It means
that an advanced, computer-controlled system
has come on to help your vehicle continue to go in
the direction in which you are steering. This
stability enhancement system activates when the
computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice
or other slippery spot on the road. When the
system is on, you may hear a noise or feel
a vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
When this message is on, continue to steer in the
direction you want to go. The system is designed
to help you in bad weather or other difficult driving
situations by making the most of whatever roadconditions will permit. If this message comes on,
you will know that something has caused your
vehicle to start to spin, so consider slowing down.
A single chime also sounds when this message
is displayed.
STABILITRAK READY
If this message displays and a chime sounds, the
system has completed the functional check of
the StabiliTrak
®System.
STABILITRAK WARMING
When you rst start your vehicle and drive away,
especially during cold winter weather, this
message may display along with a chime and the
traction control warning light. This is normal.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. The StabiliTrak
®System
performance is affected until the STABILITRAK
READY message is displayed in the DIC,
which can take up to 15 minutes.
216
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 329and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 331.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 363.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 192.
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.
326
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. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 363.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 193.
327
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there is
a problem with your
traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 194. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes
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 traction control system off if you ever
need to. You should turn the system 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 354andIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 353for more information.To turn the system off,
press the front part of
the traction control
button located on the
center console.
The TRACTION SYSTEM OFF message will
display on the DIC and the traction control system
warning light will come on. If the system is
limiting wheel spin when you press the button,
the TRACTION SYSTEM OFF message will
display – but the system will not turn off right away.
It will wait until there is no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The TRACTION
SYSTEM ON message should display brie y on
the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 206for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 363for more information.
330
Magnetic Ride Control
Magnetic Ride Control automatically adjusts the
ride of your vehicle. Automatic ride control is
achieved through a computer used to control and
monitor the suspension system. The controller
receives input from various sensors to determine
the proper system response. If the controller
detects a problem within the system, the DIC will
display a SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 206for
more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip 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.
StabiliTrak®System
The StabiliTrak®System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
This is accomplished by selectively applying
any one of the vehicle’s brakes.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to
drive away (6 mph (10 km/h)), especially during
cold weather, the message STABILITRAK
WARMING may be displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), the instrument panel
cluster light will be on, and a chime will sound.
This is normal. You can acknowledge this
message by pressing the RESET button. The
StabiliTrak
®System performance is affected until
the message, STABILITRAK READY, is
displayed in the DIC. This can take up to
15 minutes.
The WAIT FOR STABILITRAK message may be
displayed in the DIC after exceeding 19 mph
(30 km/h) for 10 seconds if the steering is
not centered. The system is off until the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message is displayed.
331
The STABILITRAK ACTIVE message will come on
when the system is operating. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 206for more information.
You may also feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
The instrument panel
cluster light will come
on and a chime will
sound to let you know if
there is a problem
with the system.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will also
be displayed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 206for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are on, the system is not operational.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The system comes on automatically whenever you
start your vehicle. To help maintain directional
control of the vehicle, you should always leave the
system on. You can turn the system off if youever need to. If you turn the StabiliTrak®system
off, the Traction Control System will also be turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off,
press and hold the front
part of the traction
control button on the
console for ve seconds
with the vehicle
stopped.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button. The DIC will display the
appropriate message when you push the button,
either TRAC/STABILITRAK ON or
TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF.
332
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through your engine’s air intake and
badly damage your engine. Never drive through
water that is slightly lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive through them
very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried
away. As little as six inches of owing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise be
very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially careful
when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself
more clear room ahead, and be prepared to
have your view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. See
Tires on page 413.
342