2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU brake light

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS), this
light may come on for
the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TC (traction control) button located on
the center console, the light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again and the warning light
should go out.
If there is a brake system problem that is
specically related to traction control, the
TCS will turn off and the warning light
will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Traction Control System
Active Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS), this
light will come on
when the system is
limiting wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the TCS
active light comes on, so adjust your driving
accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after
the system stops limiting wheel spin.
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Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this light
may come on for the
following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TC (traction control) button located on
the center console, the light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again and the warning light
should go out.
If there’s a brake system problem that is
specically related to traction control, the
ETS will turn off and the warning light
will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System
Active Light
If your vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this
light will come on
when the system is
limiting wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the
Enhanced Traction System active light comes
on, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after
the system stops limiting wheel spin.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when that condition is no
longer present on the vehicle. To acknowledge a
message and clear it from the display, press
any of the three DIC buttons. If the condition is
still present, the warning message will come back
on the next time the vehicle is turned off and
back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your
vehicle may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
enabled with the headlamp switch.BRAKE FLUID:This message displays to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low
while the ignition is in ON. The brake system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster
also comes on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 206for more information. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON:This message displays
when the life of the engine oil has expired and it
should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still
must reset the engine oil life system separately.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 362,Engine
Oil on page 359, andScheduled Maintenance
on page 460for more information.
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LOW FUEL:This message displays along with
a low fuel warning light on the instrument panel
cluster when your vehicle is low on fuel. Rell
the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel on
page 346andFilling the Tank on page 349.
LOW WASHER FLUID:This message displays
when your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid.
Rell the windshield washer uid reservoir as soon
as possible. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 380.
POWER STEERING:This message displays
if a problem has been detected with the electric
power steering, if your vehicle has this feature.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
dealer/retailer.PUSH PARK PEDAL:This message displays if
the parking brake is left engaged. SeeParking
Brake on page 132for more information.
SERVICE AIR BAG:This message displays
if there is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your dealer/retailer.
TRUNK AJAR:If your vehicle has a trunk, this
message displays when the trunk lid is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk lid is closed
completely. SeeTrunk (Sedan) on page 108
for more information.
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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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 344.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 206.
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. 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.
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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
Modications on page 344.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has
ABS, this warning
light on the instrument
panel will come on
briey when you start
your vehicle.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.
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ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will
not have time to apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
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The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield washer
uid reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on the windshield,
or when strips of rubber start to separate from
the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop
and may cause pulling to one side.
You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your brakes.
Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow
down before you hit them.
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