GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 transmission and apply the front brakes to limit wheel spin.


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This light will flash when your traction control system is limiting wheel spin.

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.

The traction control system operates in all transmission shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the transmission 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.


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

A SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message will also appear on the DIC. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

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 and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow for more information.


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To turn the system on or off, press the traction control button located on the left side of the instrument panel.

When you turn the system off, the traction control warning light comes on and TRACTION CONTROL OFF appears on the DIC. 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 traction control light should go off.

Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect your vehicle's performance. See Accessories and Modificationsfor more information.