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
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
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
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
remote keyless transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modi cations
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories to the vehicle can affect
vehicle performance and safety,
including such things as airbags,
braking, stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems
like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from the installation or use
of non-GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, are
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize
the vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM
Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2-33.
Vehicle Care 9-3
The vehicle needs new tires if any
of the following statements are true:
•You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
•You can see cord or fabric
showing through the tire’s rubber.
•The tread or sidewall is cracked,
cut, or snagged deep enough to
show cord or fabric.
•The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
•The tire has a puncture, cut, or
other damage that cannot be
repaired well because of the size
or location of the damage.
The rubber in tires degrades over
time, even if they are not being used.
This is also true for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one. Multiple
conditions affect how fast this aging
takes place, including temperatures,
loading conditions, and inflationpressure maintenance. With proper
care and maintenance tires typically
wear out before they degrade due to
age. If you are unsure about the
need to replace the tires as they get
older, consult the tire manufacturer
for more information.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for your vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new,
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system
rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends
that you get tires with the same
TPC Spec rating. This way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires
that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle
safety, during normal use, as the
original tires.GM’s exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of your
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM’s
TPC Spec number is molded
onto the tire’s sidewall near the
tire size. If the tires have an
all-season tread design, the TPC
Spec number will be followed
by an MS for mud and snow.
SeeTire Sidewall Labeling
on page 9-49for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing tires
in sets of four. This is because
uniform tread depth on all tires
will help keep your vehicle
performing most like it did
when the tires were new.
Vehicle Care 9-63
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are
a different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as anti-lock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.
{WARNING
If you add different sized
wheels, your vehicle may not
provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase
the chance that you will crash and
suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for your vehicle, and
have them properly installed by
a GM certified technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 9-63
andAccessories and Modi cations
on page 9-3for additional
information.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires
by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance.
This applies only to vehicles sold
in the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car tires.
Vehicle Care 9-65
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1.5)
times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades
are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
9-66 Vehicle Care
If you need to replace any of the
wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors, replace them only
with new GM original equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors for
the vehicle.
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control.
You could have a collision in
which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, rear differential, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69
for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or how
far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you
have to replace a wheel, use a
new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
(Continued)
9-68 Vehicle Care