GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle may have 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 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 transaxle to limit wheel spin.


Object Number: 814429  Size: A1

The traction control system active light will come on while the TCS is limiting wheel spin.

If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), the TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will come on in the while the TCS is limiting wheel spin.

You may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.

If the vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of the cruise control, it can be used again. See Cruise Control .

The TCS operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position that was chosen, so use the lower gears only when necessary. See Automatic Transaxle Operation .

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the TCS on. But you can turn the system off if you ever need to. The TCS should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow .

To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button located directly behind the gear shift lever. If your vehicle has a DIC, the TCS button is located above the radio.

When the TCS is turned off, the TCS warning light will come on. It will disappear when the TCS is turned back on. If the TCS is limiting wheel spin when the TCS button is pressed, the TCS warning light will come on and the TCS will turn off right away.

Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle's performance. See Accessories and Modifications for more information.