GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which combines antilock brake, traction and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.

When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure there are no problems. You may hear or feel the system working. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem with your 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 will be on solid, and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be displayed.

For more information, see Driver Information Center (DIC) .


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This light will flash on the instrument panel cluster when the ESC system is both on and activated.

You may also feel or hear the system working; this is normal.

When the light is on solid and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed, the system will not assist the driver in maintaining directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See DIC Warnings and Messages .

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is automatically enabled whenever you start your vehicle. To assist the driver with vehicle directional control, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But, you can turn ESC off if you ever need to.

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. When road conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See Cruise Control .


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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 briefly.

When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION CONTROL OFF message will appear, and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver that both traction control and ESC are disabled.

It is recommended to leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the system off if your 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 .

ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines that a problem exists with the system. The SERVICE STABILITRAK message and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and requires service. If the problem does not clear after restarting the vehicle, you should see your dealer/retailer for service. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

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