2010 CHEVROLET HHR display

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 with a
lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and
allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being
driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder
to push down. If the engine stops, there will still be
some power brake assist but it will be used when the
brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
If the vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and
the 2.0L turbocharged engine, it also has a hydraulic
brake boost feature which supplements the power brake
system to maintain consistent brake performance under
conditions of low brake booster vacuum. Low brake
booster vacuum conditions can include initial start up
after the vehicle has been parked for several hours,
very frequent brake stops, or high altitude driving. When
hydraulic brake boost is active, minor brake pulsation or
movement might be felt but this is normal. If brake pedalfeel changes or the brake pedal feels hard to push, the
system might not be receiving the intended brake boost
and the SVC BRAKE SYSTEM DIC message may be
displayed.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications on page 6‑3.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
helps prevent a braking skid.
If the vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel comes
on briefly when the
vehicle is started.
When the engine is started, or when the vehicle begins
to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
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Brake Assist
If this vehicle has ESC with ABS, it also 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 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
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.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The vehicle has an Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system which combines antilock brake, and traction and
stability control systems that help the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in most driving
conditions.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the ESC/TCS
light comes on, and the ESC OFF and/or SERVICE
ESC message displays.
For more information, seeDriver Information Center
(DIC)
on page 4‑46and Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light on page 4‑33.
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This light flashes on the
instrument panel cluster
when the ESC system is
on and activated.
ESC activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling. ESC
selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to help steer the vehicle in the intended
direction.
When the system activates, an ESC ACTIVE message
displays on the Driver Information Center. See DIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑48. This light also
flashes on the instrument panel cluster when the ESC
system is on and activated. Noise or vibration may be
felt in the brake pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer
the vehicle in the desired direction.
When the light is on solid and the message(s),
SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF, or both display, the system
will not assist the driver in maintaining directional
control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly.
See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4‑48. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
automatically enabled whenever the vehicle is started.
To assist the driver with vehicle directional control,
especially in slippery road conditions, always leave the
system on. ESC can be turned off if needed.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system
begins to assist the driver maintain directional control of
the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will flash and the cruise
control will automatically disengage. The cruise control
can be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 4‑8.
The ESC/TCS button is
located on the instrument
panel.
The traction control system can be turned off or back
on by pressing the ESC/TCS button. To disable both
traction control and ESC, press and hold the button
from five to ten seconds.
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When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION
OFF and ESC OFF messages appear, and the
ESC/TCS light comes on to warn the driver that
both traction control and ESC are disabled.
It is recommended that the system remain on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to“rock”your vehicle to attempt to
free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 5‑23.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines that
a problem exists with the system. The ESC OFF and
SERVICE ESC messages and the ESC/TCS light
comes on to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and
requires service. If the problem does not clear after
restarting the vehicle, see your dealer/retailer for
service. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑48for more information.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance. See Accessories and
Modifications
on page 6‑3for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
(SS Models Only)
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console two times
quickly. COMPETITIVE MODE will be displayed in the
DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑48.
Competitive Driving Mode allows the driver to have full
control of the front wheels while the ESC system helps
maintain directional control of the vehicle by selective
brake application. The ESC/TCS light will be on and the
traction control system will not be operating. Adjust your
driving accordingly. This electronic stability control
mode is recommended only for use during closed track
events and competitive driving venues.
When the ESC button is pressed again, or the vehicle is
restarted, the ESC and TCS will be turned back on.
Notice: When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible
to lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the
front wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is
possible to cause damage to the transmission.
Do not attempt to shift when the front wheels do
not have traction. Damage caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered. See your warranty book for
additional information.
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Launch Control (SS Models Only)
Launch Control is a form of traction control, to control
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.
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 Operation on page 3‑31.
LAUNCH CONTROL displays in the DIC after the
COMPETITIVE MODE message, when the vehicle is
stopped. The system will exit to COMPETITIVE MODE
after the vehicle is launched. See “Competitive Driving
Mode” earlier in this section. The normal Traction
Control System (TCS) will not be operating while in the
Competitive Driving mode and the TCS light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑48for more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the front wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power by closing the throttle and managing engine
spark to limit wheel spin.
This light flashes while
the traction control system
is limiting wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with the vehicle.
See Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
on page 4‑33for
more information.
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If the vehicle is in cruise control while TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control can be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 4‑4.
When this light is on and
either the SERVICE
TRACTION or TRACTION
OFF message is
displayed, the system
will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See DIC Warnings and
Messages
on page 4‑48for more information.
The Traction Control System comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. It is recommended to
leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but
it may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to
“rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system when driving in off-road
conditions where high wheel spin is required. See If
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑23.
To turn the system off or
on, press and release the
ESC/TCS button located
on the instrument panel.
The DIC displays the appropriate message as
described previously when the button is pressed.
Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing engine
power to the wheels (engine speed management) and
by applying brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started, and it will activate and flash
the ESC/TCS light and display the LOW TRACTION
message if it senses that either of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving. For
more information on the LOW TRACTION message,
see Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑46.
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Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle are allowed to
spin excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and the SERVICE ESC and/or
SERVICE TRACTION messages are displayed, the
differential could be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Reduce
engine power and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and this message
are displayed.
Notice: When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If you attempt 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.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed or a noise or vibration
may be heard. This is normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control while the system
activates, the ESC/TCS light flashes and the cruise
control automatically disengages. The cruise control
can be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 4‑8. Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications
on page 6‑3for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
The vehicle may have 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
transmission to limit wheel spin.
If the vehicle has ETS, there is not an ESC/TCS button
on the instrument panel. To turn the system off, shift to
L (Low) or R (Reverse). There is more information about
how to turn the system off later in this section.
The ETS indicator/warning light flashes and LOW
TRACTION appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the traction control system is actively
limiting wheel spin. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is normal. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the ETS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control can be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 4‑8.
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The ETS indicator/warning light may come on for the
following reasons:
.The indicator/warning light flashes while the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
.If the system is turned off by moving the shift lever
to L (Low), the indicator/warning light comes on
and stays on. To turn the system back on, move
the shift lever back to a position other than L (Low).
The indicator/warning light should go off.
.The indicator/warning light will come on when the
parking brake is set with the engine running, and it
will stay on if the parking brake does not release
fully. If the transmission shift lever is in any position
other than L (Low) and the indicator/warning light
stays on after the parking brake is fully released,
there is a problem with the system.
.If the traction control system is affected by an
engine related problem, the system will turn off
and the indicator/warning light will come on.If the ETS indicator/warning light comes on and
stays on for an extended period of time when the
transmission shift lever is in any position other than
L (Low), the vehicle may need service.
When this light is on solid, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Check the DIC messaging to determine whether it is
because of the driver turning off the system, or that the
system may not be working properly and the vehicle
requires service. When this light is turned on, either the
SERVICE TRACTION or TRACTION OFF message will
be displayed.
See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑48for
more information on the messages associated with this
light.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, ETS should always be left on. But the
system can be turned off if needed.
To turn the system off, shift to L (Low) or R (Reverse).
When the system is turned off, the ETS indicator/
warning light will come on and stay on and the
TRACTION OFF message will be displayed when
the gear shift is in L (Low). The indicator/warning light
and message will not come on when the gear shift is in
R (Reverse). If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when the
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