GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

These messages appear if there is a problem detected in one of your vehicle's systems.

A message clears when the vehicle's condition is no longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons. If the condition is still present, the warning message comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on. With most messages, a warning chime sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle may have other warning messages.

AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF

This message displays if the automatic headlamp system is disabled with the headlamp switch.

AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON

This message displays if the automatic headlamp system is enabled with the headlamp switch.

BRAKE FLUID

This message displays, while the ignition is on, when the brake fluid level is low. The brake system warning light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on. See Brake System Warning Light for more information. Have the brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

CHANGE OIL SOON

This message displays when the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be changed.

When this message is acknowledged and cleared from the display, the engine oil life system must still be reset separately. See Engine Oil Life System and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

CHECK GAS CAP

This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the message off.

COMPETITIVE MODE

If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays when the Competitive Driving mode is selected. The Traction Control System (TCS) will not be operating while in the Competitive Driving mode and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster will be on solid. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

CRUISE ENGAGED

This message displays when the cruise control system is active. See Cruise Control for more information.

DOOR AJAR

This message displays if one or more of the vehicle's doors are not closed properly. Make sure that the door(s) are closed completely.

ENGINE DISABLED

This message displays if the starting of the engine is disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED

On some vehicles, this message displays when the vehicle's engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, carefully proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on and the check engine light is illuminated on the instrument panel cluster, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.

During certain extreme operating conditions, this message may temporarily display without the check engine light illuminated. If this message appears without the check engine light, your vehicle does not need service. If this happens shortly following a start of the engine, let the vehicle idle for a few minutes until the message clears from the display and the vehicle returns to normal operation. If this happens while driving at higher speeds, let the vehicle slow down. If the vehicle is in FIFTH (5), shift down to FOURTH (4) until the message clears from the display and the vehicle returns to normal operation.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) ACTIVE

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster flashes when ESC is assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. You may feel or hear the system working and see this message displayed in the DIC. Slippery road conditions may exist when this message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This message may stay on for a few seconds after ESC stops assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. This is normal when the system is operating. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) NOT READY

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message may display briefly after starting the vehicle if the system's sensors are not yet calibrated. The system is not functional until the message stops displaying. Adjust your driving accordingly. When the message is no longer displayed, the system is functional. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) OFF

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when ESC is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

ICE POSSIBLE

This message displays when the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.

KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW

This message displays if the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery in the transmitter. See "Battery Replacement" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation .

LOW COOLANT

This message displays when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible. See Engine Coolant for more information.

LOW TRACTION

If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster flashes when the system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This message stays on for a few seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin. See Traction Control System (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

PARKING BRAKE

This message displays if the parking brake is left engaged. See Parking Brake for more information.

SERVICE AIR BAG

This message displays when there is a problem with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL)

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and a chime sounds if there has been a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present. When this message displays, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the ESC inspected by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SERVICE TRACTION

If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and a chime sounds when the system is not functioning properly. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present. When this message displays, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Traction Control System (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information. Have the TCS serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SVC (Service) BRAKE SYSTEM

This message may display if you have a turbocharged vehicle with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and if the hydraulic brake boost is not working or is working improperly. Have the brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

TRACTION OFF

If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the TCS is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Traction Control System (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

TRUNK AJAR

This message displays when the trunk is not closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed completely. See Trunk and Trunk Ajar Light .