Page 209 of 372

To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up
until you can press the release
button.
3. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake handle all the
way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature wear
or damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause a warning chime to
sound and the Park Brake message
to appear in the DIC. The message
will remain on until:
•the parking brake is released
•the vehicle comes to a stop.
If you are towing a trailer and you
are parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-49.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brakecontrol 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 stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the 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 Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
Driving and Operating 8-33
Page 210 of 372

Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
The system utilizes engine and
braking controls to control wheel
spin during acceleration at all driving
speeds for maximum driver control
regardless of conditions. When the
system senses impending wheel slip
during acceleration, it signals the
throttle control to reduce drive wheel
torque. Under extreme situations,
such as going from pavement to ice
during acceleration, the system
will selectively apply the brakes to
maintain control. The system may
be heard or felt while it is working,
but this is normal.The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
flashes when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin.
The StabiliTrak/TCS warning light
comes on solid if there is a problem
with the traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 4-24for more information.
If the light stays on, see your
dealer/retailer for service. When the
TCS/StabiliTrak warning light is on,
the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the systemshould always be left on, but it may
be necessary to turn the system off if
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. Also, turn TCS off while
in deep snow or on loose gravel,
to assist vehicle motion at lower
speeds. SeeIf the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 8-11for more information.
See alsoWinter Driving on
page 8-10for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
To turn the system off, press
and release the StabiliTrak/TCS
button located on the console
in front of the shift lever.
8-34 Driving and Operating
Page 211 of 372

Press and release the StabiliTrak/
TCS button and the traction control
system turns off and the TCS
warning light comes on. Press and
release the button again to turn the
system back on. For information on
turning StabiliTrak off and on, see
StabiliTrak System following.
Launch Control (V8 with
Manual Transmission
Models Only)
Launch Control uses a form of
traction control specifically tuned to
optimize tire spin while launching the
vehicle during closed track events
and competitive driving. The feature
is activated when the vehicle is at
rest while in Competitive Mode.
SeeCompetitive Driving Mode on
page 8-37for more information.
At rest, if the accelerator pedal is
pressed to the floor with the clutch
engaged, the RPM is limited to a
predetermined level. A smooth, quick
release of the clutch while keeping
the accelerator pedal on the floor
will provide controlled wheel spin for
consistent acceleration. Complete
shifts as described inManual
Transmission on page 8-30.When in Competitive Mode the
StabiliTrak Off light comes on the
instrument panel cluster. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeCompetitive
Driving Mode on page 8-37for more
information.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 9-3
for more information.
Driving and Operating 8-35
Page 212 of 372

StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has an electronic
stability control system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and
the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any
one of the vehicle’s brakes to help
steer the vehicle in the direction
which you are steering.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 8-38for more information.The StabiliTrak/TCS button is
located in front of the shift lever.
When the system activates,
the StabiliTrak/Traction Control
System (TCS) warning light flashes
on the instrument panel cluster.
You may also hear a noise or feel
vibration in the brake pedal. This is
normal. Continue to steer the vehicle
in the intended direction.If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, a Service StabiliTrak
message displays on the DIC and
the StabiliTrak/TCS warning light on
the instrument panel cluster comes
on. When this message and warning
light displays, the system is not
operational. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. SeeRide
Control System Messages on
page 4-34andTraction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light
on page 4-24for more information.
8-36 Driving and Operating
Page 213 of 372

StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started.
The system should be left on to
help assist with directional control
of the vehicle. If StabiliTrak needs
to be turned off, press and hold the
StabiliTrak/TCS button until theTraction Control Off light and the
StabiliTrak Off light come on the
instrument panel cluster. If the
system has been turned off, press
and release the StabiliTrak/TCS
button to turn the system back on.
Engine Drag Control (EDC)
EDC improves vehicle stability by
sensing if there is difference in speed
between the free rolling front wheels
and the rear drive wheels that often
occurs when the driver takes their
foot off the accelerator pedal on
slippery surfaces (snow, ice, etc.).
When this is detected, EDC sends
more torque to the rear wheels to
make sure all four wheels are
spinning at similar speeds, making
the vehicle more stable.
Competitive
Driving Mode
On vehicles with a V8 engine,
the driver can select this optional
handling mode by pressing the
StabiliTrak/TCS button two times
quickly while Traction Control and
StabiliTrak are turned on. When
the system is on, the StabiliTrak
Off light comes on and StabiliTrak
Competitive Mode will be displayed
in the Driver Information Center
(DIC). SeeRide Control System
Messages on page 4-34.
Driving and Operating 8-37
Page 214 of 372

Competitive Driving Mode is
designed and recommended for
use only during closed track events
and at competitive driving venues.
The TCS system uses engine and
brake systems to control wheel spin
during acceleration and cornering
while the StabiliTrak system helps
maintain directional control of
the vehicle by selective brake
application.
When the StabiliTrak button is
pressed again, or the vehicle is
restarted, the StabiliTrak and TCS
will be turned back on to normal
operation.
Notice:When traction control
is turned off, or Competitive
Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If youattempt to shift with the drive
wheels spinning with a loss of
traction, it is possible to cause
damage to the transmission.
Do not attempt to shift when the
drive wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered. See the
warranty book for additional
information.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear
axle can give more traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works
like a standard axle most of the time,
but when traction is low, this feature
allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle
can maintain a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator.
Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the 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.
8-38 Driving and Operating
Page 215 of 372

Setting Cruise Control
{WARNING
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.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the outboard side of the
steering wheel.
5(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
An indicator light comes on in
the instrument panel cluster.
\(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel):Move
the thumbwheel up to resume a set
speed or to accelerate to a higher
speed.
SET/−(Set/Coast):Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed
or to decrease the speed.
To set a speed:
1. Press
5to turn cruise control
on. The indicator light in the
instrument panel cluster
comes on.
2. Get to the speed desired.3. Press the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control shuts off.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged. The indicator light
on the instrument panel cluster goes
out when the cruise is no longer
engaged. To return to the previously
set speed, press the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly when the
vehicle has reached a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more.
This accelerates the vehicle to the
previously selected speed.
Driving and Operating 8-39
Page 216 of 372

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a
higher speed.
•Disengage the cruise control,
but do not turn it off.
•If the cruise control system is
already engaged, press the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
and hold it until the vehicle
accelerates to the desired speed,
and then release the switch.
To increase the speed in small
amounts, press the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and then
release it. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already engaged,
•Push the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
•To slow down in very small
amounts, push the thumbwheel
toward SET/−briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle’s speed.
When you take your foot off the
pedal, the vehicle will slow down
to the previously set cruise control
speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle’s
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle’s speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to maintain
the vehicle’s speed. When the
brakes are applied the cruise
control shuts off.Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end the
cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal
or clutch; when cruise control
disengages, the indicator light
on the instrument panel cluster
goes out.
•Press5to turn off the cruise
control system.
•Press\to disengage the cruise
control.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed
memory is erased when the cruise
control or the ignition is turned off.
8-40 Driving and Operating