GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Traction Control System (TCS) CTS

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 both of the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.

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


Object Number: 814429  Size: A1

This warning light will come on to let you know if there's a problem with your traction control system.

See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. 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 or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. Additionally, turning the traction control system off on some surfaces, such as deep snow and loose gravel, will assist vehicle motion at lower speeds. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out for more information. See also Winter Driving for information on using TCS when driving in snowy or icy conditions.


Object Number: 1526842  Size: A1

You can turn the system off by pressing the TC (traction control) button located in the glove box.

If you press the TC button once, the traction control system will turn off and the traction control system warning light will come on. Press the TC button again to turn the system back on. If you press and hold the TC button for five seconds, the Stabilitrak® system will turn off. Press the TC button again to turn Stabilitrak® back on. For more information, see StabiliTrak® System .

You can program your steering wheel controls (CTS only) and/or the buttons on the Base audio system to turn the TCS on or off. See Reconfigurable Steering Wheel Controls (SWC) and/or "Configurable Radio Display Keys" under Radio with CD for programming instructions.

Traction Control System (TCS) CTS-V

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 both of the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.

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


Object Number: 814429  Size: A1

This warning light will come on to let you know if there's a problem with your traction control system.

See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. 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 or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. Additionally, turning the traction control system off on some surfaces, such as deep snow and loose gravel, will assist vehicle motion at lower speeds. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow for more information. See also Winter Driving for information on using TCS when driving in snowy or icy conditions.


Object Number: 1526842  Size: A1

You can turn the system off by pressing the TC (traction control) button located on the steering wheel.

If you press the TC button once, the traction control system will turn off and the traction control system warning light will come on. If you press the TC button again within five seconds, the traction control system will remain off, the warning light will stay on, and the stability system will enter Competitive Driving Mode. Competitive Driving will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information. Press the TC button again to turn the system back on. If you press and hold the TC button for five seconds, the Stabilitrak® and Traction Control systems will turn off. Press the TC button again to turn Stabilitrak® and Traction Control back on. For more information, see StabiliTrak® System .