2008 HUMMER H3 traction control

Up-Shift Light
This light will show you
when to shift to the next
higher gear for best
fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go
on and off if you quickly change the position of
the accelerator. Ignore the shift light when you
downshift.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and has a manual
transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer
case is in four-wheel low.
For more information, seeUp-Shift Light on page 3-32.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive sends your engine’s driving
power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the
most out of Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive, you must
be familiar with its operation.
2-27

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-15
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-17
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-17
Off-Road Lamps...........................................3-18
Fog Lamps..................................................3-19
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-19
Dome Lamp.................................................3-19
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-20
Exit Lighting.................................................3-20
Reading Lamps............................................3-20Electric Power Management...........................3-20
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-21
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-22
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Climate Control System.................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer..........................
.3-27
Trip Odometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-32
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-34
Traction Off Light..........................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®Not Ready Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-35
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/
Multifunction Lever on page 3-7. Windshield
Washer/Wiper. SeeWindshield Wipers on page 3-10
andWindshield Washer on page 3-10. Cruise
Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
C. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. All-Wheel Drive, Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator,
Locking Rear Axle, and Traction Control System/
StabiliTrak
®Buttons. SeeFull-Time Four-Wheel
Drive on page 2-27,Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 3-30,Locking Rear Axle on
page 4-6,Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-5andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7.
G. Exterior Lamps Control, Dome Override Button,
Instrument Panel Brightness Control, Fog Lamp
Button, and OnStar
®Button. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-15,Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20,
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-19,
Fog Lamps on page 3-19, andOnStar
®System on
page 2-48.H. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-32.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-48.
J. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-22.
K. Rear Washer/Wiper Control. SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-11.
L. Off-Road Lamps Buttons. SeeOff-Road Lamps on
page 3-18.
M. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-23orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-26.
N. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-21.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-56.
3-5

Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set,
or if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
The cruise control disengages, if the vehicle has the
Traction Control System (TCS) and it begins to
limit wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-5. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you can turn cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The cruise symbol on the
instrument panel comes on
when the cruise control
is engaged.
3-12

Antilock Brake System Warning
Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light will come
on briey when you
start the engine.
That 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.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS 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 antilock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have antilock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-33
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-43for all
brake related DIC messages.
Traction Off Light
If you have the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
light will come on when the
TCS has been turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information on the traction off light, see
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-5.
StabiliTrak®Not Ready Light
If you have the StabiliTrak®
system, this light will come
on when the StabiliTrak®
system has been
turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information, seeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7.
3-34

SERVICE CHARG (Charge) SYS
(System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
battery charging system. Under certain conditions, the
battery warning light may also turn on in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeCharging System Light on
page 3-32. The battery will not be charging at an
optimal rate and the vehicle will lose the ability to enter
the fuel economy mode. The vehicle is safe to drive,
however have the electrical system checked by
your dealer/retailer. Press and release the reset stem
to acknowledge the message and clear it from the
display.
SERVICE STAB (Stability) SYS
(System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
StabiliTrak®system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-7
for more information.
STAB (Stability) SYS (System) OFF
This message displays when the StabiliTrak®system is
turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-7for
more information.
TRAC (Traction) OFF
This message along with the traction off light displays
when the Traction Control System (TCS) is turned off by
pressing the TCS button. SeeTraction Off Light on
page 3-34andTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-5for more information.
TRACTION FAULT
This message displays if there is a problem with the
Traction Control System (TCS). Check the TCS as soon
as possible and have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-5for more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the display.
TURN SIGNAL
This message displays when the turn signal is on for
about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of travel. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the display.
3-47

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with 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. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
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
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio,
or other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-20for more
information.
Setting the Time
Press and hold H until the correct hour and AM or PM
displays. Press and hold M until the correct minute
displays. The time can be set with the ignition on or off.
3-48

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-5
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-10
Loss of Control.............................................4-10
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Assist Steps.................................................4-31Driving at Night............................................4-32
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-34
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-34
Winter Driving..............................................4-35
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................................4-39
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-40
Recovery Loops...........................................4-40
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-42
Towing..........................................................4-48
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-48
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-48
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-50
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-62
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1