2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX traction control

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 316andIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 316for
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
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 140.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 336for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine and anti-lock
brakes, it has 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.
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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 140.
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 110.One of these lights will appear 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.
SeeEnhanced Traction System Warning Light on
page 179. 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, 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 316andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 316for 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.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 200.
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.
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This symbol will appear
on the DIC.
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 200.
When this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
To turn the StabiliTrak
®system off (GXP only),
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 140for 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.
Variable Effort Steering
If your vehicle has this steering system, the system
provides less steering effort for parking and when
driving at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h). Steering
effort will increase at higher speeds for improved
road feel.
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.
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The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and
your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Unless you
have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard
braking can demand too much of those places. You
can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those places
where the tires meet the road and make you lose
control. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 292orEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 293.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through
the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed.
Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 336.
297

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) or the Traction Control System (TCS), or
if the system is off, then an acceleration skid
is also best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal. SeeEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 293orTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 292.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
301

But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS) or
the Enhanced Traction System (ETS), it will
improve your ability to accelerate when driving on
a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a
traction system you will want to slow down and
adjust your driving to the road conditions. Under
certain conditions, you may want to turn the TCS or
ETS off, such as when driving through deep snow
and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion at
lower speeds. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 292orEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 293.
If you do not have TCS or ETS, accelerate gently.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
Unless you have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), you will want to brake very gently, too.If you do have ABS, seeAnti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 289. This system improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Whether you have ABS or not, you
will want to begin stopping sooner than you would
on dry pavement. Without ABS, if you feel your
vehicle begin to slide, let up on the brakes a little.
Push the brake pedal down steadily to get the most
traction you can.
Remember, unless you have ABS, if you brake so
hard that your wheels stop rolling, you will just
slide. Brake so your wheels always keep rolling
and you can still steer.
Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of trees, behind
buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the
surface of a curve or an overpass may remain
icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you
see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
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If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when
you are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin
the wheels too fast while shifting the transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 316.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 421.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has traction control, you should turn
the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 292. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out. If
your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 322.
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