GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some action may be needed by the driver to correct the condition. More than one message may appear at one time. They will appear one after the other. Some messages may not require immediate action, but you should press the trip stem on the instrument panel cluster to acknowledge that you received the message and to clear it from the display. Pressing any of the DIC steering wheel buttons -- trip information, fuel information, customization, or select button -- will also acknowledge any warnings or service messages. Some messages cannot be cleared from the display because they are more urgent. These messages require action before they can be removed from the DIC display. The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them.

BATTERY NOT CHARGING

If the battery is not charging during operation, this message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical system checked by your GM dealer as soon as possible. See Voltmeter Gage . Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

CHANGE ENGINE OIL

This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to be changed and service is required for your vehicle. See Scheduled Maintenance and Engine Oil for more information. Also see Engine Oil Life System for information on how to reset the message. This message will clear itself after 10 seconds until the next ignition cycle.

CHECK WASHER FLUID

If the washer fluid level is low, this message will appear on the DIC. Adding washer fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir will clear the message. See Windshield Washer Fluid . Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

CURB VIEW ACTIVATED

The CURB VIEW ACTIVATED message is displayed when the passenger outside rearview mirror moves into the curb view position. See Outside Curb View Assist Mirror for more information.

DRIVER DOOR AJAR

If the driver's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

ENGINE COOLANT HOT/ENGINE OVERHEATED

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If an overheat warning appears on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above normal idling speed. See Engine Overheating for more information.

If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message will appear in the DIC and you will hear a chime. See Engine Overheating for the proper course of action. This message will clear when the coolant temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.

FUEL LEVEL LOW

If the fuel level is low in the vehicle's gas tank this message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as possible. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display. See Low Fuel Warning Light , Filling the Tank and Fuel for more information.

ICE POSSIBLE

If the outside temperature reaches a level where ice could form on the roadway, this message may appear on the DIC. If the temperature rises to a safe level, the message will clear. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

KEY FOB # BATTERY LOW

If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs to be replaced in the transmitter. See "Battery Replacement" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR

If the driver's side rear door is not fully closed this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See Engine Oil for more information.

If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be displayed on the DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer. See Engine Oil .

PASSENGER DOOR AJAR

If the passenger's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

REAR ACCESS OPEN

If the liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in RUN, this message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a chime. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate and liftglass. See Liftgate/Liftglass . Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR

If the passenger's side rear door is not fully closed this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE AIR BAG

If there is a problem with the airbag system this message will be displayed on the DIC. Have your GM dealer inspect the system for problems. See Airbag Readiness Light and Airbag System for more information. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

If a problem occurs with the brake system this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin driving, the brake system needs service. See your GM dealer.

SERVICE STABILITRAK

If you ever see the SERVICE STABILITRAK message, it means there may be a problem with your StabiliTrak® system. If you see this message, try to reset the system by performing the following: stop; turn off the engine; then start the engine again. If the SERVICE STABILITRAK message still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should see your GM dealer for service. The vehicle is safe to drive, however, you do not have the benefit of StabiliTrak®, so reduce your speed and drive accordingly. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

STABILITRAK ACTIVE

The STABILITRAK ACTIVE message will be displayed anytime the system activates to maintain vehicle stability. Any combination of engine speed management, brake traction control, and stability control will display the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message on the DIC.

STABILITRAK NOT READY

The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be displayed if driving conditions delay system initialization. This is normal. Once the system initializes, the STABILITRAK NOT READY message will no longer be displayed on the DIC.

STABILITRAK OFF

The STABILITRAK OFF message will be displayed when you press the StabiliTrak® button for more than five seconds or when stability control has been automatically disabled. The StabiliTrak® button is located on the transmission shift handle. To limit wheel spin and realize the full benefits of the stability enhancement system, you should normally leave StabiliTrak® on. However, you should turn StabiliTrak® off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and you want to rock your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you are driving in extreme off-road conditions and require more wheel spin. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow . To turn the StabiliTrak® system back on, press the StabiliTrak® button again.

There are several conditions that can cause this message to appear.

    • The message may be displayed if the brake system warning light is on. See Brake System Warning Light .
    • The message will be displayed if the vehicle is shifted into 4LO.

The message will turn off as soon as the conditions that caused the message to be displayed are no longer present.

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP

If the vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened properly, this message may appear on the DIC and a chime will sound. Fully reinstall the fuel cap. See Filling the Tank . The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. The DIC message will remain on until the message is cancelled with the return button on the steering wheel. The DIC message will also be cancelled if the ignition is turned off.

The DIC message and the Service Engine Soon light may come on again during a second trip if the fuel cap is still not tightened properly. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp for more information.

TRACTION CONTROL OFF

The TRACTION CONTROL OFF message will be displayed when you momentarily press the StabiliTrak® button located on the transmission shift handle. In this mode, stability control and the brake-traction control are functional. Engine speed management will be modified and the driven wheels can spin more freely. For more details on this mode, see StabiliTrak® System .

TURN SIGNAL ON

If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the off position. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.