2008 PONTIAC TORRENT traction control

TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
ON/RUN and disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.
Any of the following conditions may cause the TCS to
turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the traction
control button. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-6for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns on. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
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 3-7.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in ON/RUN. The message will not
disappear until the turn signal is manually turned off,
or a turn is completed.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to one preferred setting.
All of the personalization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the personalization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The personalization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change personalization preferences, use the
following procedure.
3-60

No Title Info:No song title information is available at
this time on this channel. The system is working properly.
No CAT Info:No category information is available at
this time on this channel. The system is working properly.
No Information:No text or informational messages are
available at this time on this channel. The system is
working properly.
CAT Not Found:There are no channels available for
the selected category. The system is working properly.
XM TheftLocked:The XM receiver in the vehicle
could have previously been in another vehicle.
For security purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be
swapped between vehicles. If this message appears
after having your vehicle serviced, check with your
dealer/retailer.
XM Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM Radio eight digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is received when tuned
to channel 0, there could be a receiver fault. Consult
with your dealer/retailer.Check XM Receivr:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have
a fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
XM Not Available:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have
a fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Navigation/Radio System
Your vehicle may have a navigation radio system.
The navigation system has built-in features intended
to minimize driver distraction. Technology alone,
no matter how advanced, can never replace your
own judgment. See the Navigation System manual for
some tips to help you reduce distractions while driving.
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE)
System
Your vehicle may have a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) system. The RSE system works with the vehicle’s
audio system. The DVD player is part of the front radio.
The RSE system includes a radio with a DVD player, a
video display screen, audio/video jacks, two wireless
headphones, and a remote control. SeeRadio(s) on
page 3-71for more information on the vehicle’s audio/
DVD system.
3-101

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-4
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-17
Winter Driving..............................................4-18
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-27
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-27
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-27
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-32
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-33.
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 might 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 could 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 can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
4-4

Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a Panic Brake Assist feature designed
to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature
uses the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) hydraulic
brake control module to supplement the power
brake system under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the brake pedal in
an attempt to quickly stop or slow down the vehicle. The
ESC hydraulic brake control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the vehicle until the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation dictates. The Panic Brake
Assist feature will automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal pressure
is quickly decreased.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or more of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
brakes and reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
This light ashes while the
traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. This light may also come on after extended
heavy braking indicating the brakes have become too
hot to limit wheel spin.
4-6

The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started. 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,
ice, or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-22.
The traction control system
can be turned off by
pressing the traction
control button, located next
to the gear shift lever.
When the traction control system is turned off, the
traction control warning light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on and TRACTION CONTROL OFF
briey displays.The traction control system can be activated again by
pressing the traction control button. While the traction
control system is activated, the traction control system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster comes
on and TRACTION CONTROL ON briey displays.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the traction control off light appears on the
instrument panel cluster. The system will not turn off
until there is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.
Turn the system back on by pressing the button
again. If the light does not come on, traction control
might not be working and your vehicle should be
serviced by a dealer/retailer.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has this feature. The StabiliTrak®system
is an advanced 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 and reducing engine power. The
StabiliTrak
®system comes on automatically whenever
you start your vehicle.
4-7

The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control system and
StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on after rst driving the vehicle and
exceeding 30 mph 48 (km/h) for 30 seconds. The
StabiliTrak
®system is off until the light has turned off.
This could take up to 15 minutes. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-52for more information.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light on the instrument panel cluster will ash when the
system is operating. You may also feel or hear the
system working. This is normal. This light may
also come on after extended heavy braking indicating
the brakes have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak
®can be turned off using the traction control
button. To disable StabiliTrak®, press and hold the
traction control button for ve seconds. StabiliTrak®can
be activated again by pressing the traction control button.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be displayed
and the traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light on the instrument panel cluster will come on if there
is a problem with the system. When this light and the
SERVICE STABILITRAK message are on, the system is
not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. Torque is also applied to
the rear wheels during launches. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
message in the DIC will come on and stay on to indicate
there may be a problem with the drive system and
service is required.
SeeService All-Wheel Drive Light on page 3-42and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-52for
more information.
4-8

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.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of the 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 accelerate. Both control systems —
steering and acceleration — have to do their work where
the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too much of those places. You can lose
control. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7.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 the
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-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
4-10