GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Traction Control System (TCS) 3800 V6 Engine

Your vehicle may have 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 front wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system reduces engine power and may also upshift the transaxle and apply the front brakes to limit wheel spin.

United States


Object Number: 808317  Size: A1

Canada


Object Number: 808311  Size: A1

This light will come on when your traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See Traction Active Message .

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

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See "Cruise Control" in Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever .

The traction control system operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you've chosen, so you should use the lower gears only when necessary. See Automatic Transaxle Operation .


Object Number: 808332  Size: A1

When the system is on, this warning light will come on to let you know if there's a problem.

When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the traction control system on. But you can turn the 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. See "Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out" under If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow .


Object Number: 869083  Size: A3

To turn the system on or off, press the TRAC OFF button on the left side of the instrument panel.

When you turn the system off, a chime will sound and the TRAC OFF warning light will come on and stay on. If the traction control system is limiting wheel spin when you press the button to turn the system off, the warning light will come on and the system will turn off right away.

You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the button again. The TRAC OFF warning light should go off.