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. Multiple messages may appear one after another.

Some messages may not require immediate action, but you can press the set/reset button to acknowledge that you received the messages and to clear them from the display. Pressing any of the DIC buttons also acknowledge and clear any messages.

Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC display because they are more urgent. These messages require action before they can be cleared. You should take any messages that appear on the display seriously and remember that clearing the messages will only make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.

The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF

If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, this message displays along with the All-Wheel Drive Disabled light when the rear drive system is overheating. This message turns off when the rear drive system cools down. If the warning message stays on for a while, you need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning message, turn the ignition off and then back on again. If the message stays on, see your dealer/retailer right away. See All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System and All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light for more information.

BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE

This message displays when the charging system detects that the battery is being drained. You may notice that the vehicle attempts to reduce the drain for you by turning off accessories, such as interior fans, rear defogger, and heated seats. Turn off all accessories. If the vehicle is not running, start and run the engine for at least 10 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. If the engine is running and the condition persists, see your dealer/retailer immediately.

BUCKLE PASSENGER SEATBELT

This message reminds you to buckle the passenger's safety belt. See Passenger Sensing System .

This message displays and a chime sounds when the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is buckled, the passenger's safety belt is unbuckled with the passenger airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should have the passenger buckle their safety belt.

This reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag is enabled. If the passenger's safety belt is already buckled, this message and chime will not come on.

BUCKLE SEATBELT

This message reminds you to buckle the driver's safety belt.

This message displays and a chime sounds when the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is unbuckled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle your safety belt.

If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be repeated. If the driver's safety belt is already buckled, this message and chime will not come on.

This message is an additional reminder to the Safety Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster. See Safety Belt Reminder Light .

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON

This message displays when service is required for the vehicle. See your dealer/retailer. See Engine Oil and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

Acknowledging this message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING display. That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen under the vehicle information menu. See "OIL LIFE" under DIC Operation and Displays and Engine Oil Life System for more information.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

This message displays when the tire pressure in one of the tires needs to be checked. This message also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to be checked. You can receive more than one tire pressure message at a time. To read the other messages that may have been sent at the same time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to those shown on the Tire Loading Information label. See Tires , Loading the Vehicle , and Inflation - Tire Pressure . The DIC display also shows the tire pressure values for the front and rear tires by pressing the vehicle information button. See DIC Operation and Displays . If the tire pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light comes on. See Tire Pressure Light .

DRIVER DOOR OPEN

This message displays when the driver's door is not closed properly. When this message appears, make sure that the driver's door is closed completely.

ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning) OFF

This message displays when the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically turned off. When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the A/C operation automatically resumes. You can continue to drive your vehicle.

ENGINE OVERHEATD (Overheated) IDLE ENGINE

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.

This message displays when the engine coolant temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle until it cools down.

ENGINE OVERHEATD (Overheated) STOP ENGINE

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. See Engine Overheating for more information.

This message displays along with a continuous chime when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe engine damage. See Engine Overheating .

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED

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, 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, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.

FUEL LEVEL LOW

This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel tank as soon as possible. See Fuel Gage and Filling the Tank for more information.

HOOD OPEN

This message displays on some vehicles when the hood is not closed properly. When this message appears, make sure that the hood is closed completely. See Hood Release .

ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE

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

LIFTGATE OPEN

This message displays when the liftgate is not closed completely. Make sure that the liftgate is closed completely. See Liftgate .

OIL PRSSURE (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.

This message displays when the vehicle's engine oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See Oil Pressure Light .

Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible when this message is displayed.

PASSENGER DOOR FRONT/REAR OPEN

This message displays when one or more of the passenger's doors are not closed properly. When this message appears, make sure that all passenger doors are closed completely.

REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE

This message displays while you are matching a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle. See "LEARN REMOTE KEY" under DIC Operation and Displays for more information.

SERVICE A/C (Air Conditioning) SYSTEM

This message displays when there is a problem detected in the air conditioning system. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.

SERVICE AIR BAG

This message displays when there is a problem with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately. See Airbag Readiness Light for more information.

SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE

If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, this message displays along with the service all-wheel drive light if a problem occurs with this system. See Service All-Wheel Drive Light . 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 AWD system needs service. See your dealer/retailer.

SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM

This message displays when there is a problem with the generator and battery charging systems. Driving with this problem could drain the vehicle's battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system checked by your dealer/retailer immediately.

Connecting a battery charger to your vehicle while the ignition is in any position other than LOCK may cause this message to appear. If you need to charge your vehicle, make sure that the key is in LOCK or out of the ignition during charging.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

This message displays and a chime sounds when the brake fluid level is low. The brake system warning light also appears on the instrument panel cluster when this message appears on the DIC. See Brake System Warning Light . Have the brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SERVICE STABILITY CTRL (Control)

This message displays if there has been a problem detected with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. A warning light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 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 system inspected by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM

This message displays when there is a problem with the theft-deterrent system. A fault has been detected in the system which means that the system is disabled and it is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you may want to take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer before turning off the engine. See PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation for more information.

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM

This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is not working properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the four sensors are missing or inoperable, the warning comes on in about 20 minutes. A sensor would be missing, for example, if you put different wheels on your vehicle without transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPM. See your dealer/retailer.

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL

This message displays when the Traction Control System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A warning light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light and Traction Control System (TCS) for more information. Have the TCS serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SERVICE VEHICLE SOON

This message displays when a non-emissions related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

STABILITY CTRL (Control) NOT READY

This message may display and a warning light on the instrument panel cluster may be on after first driving the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph (48 km/h) for 30 seconds. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is not functional until the light has turned off. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information.

STABILITY CTRL (Control) OFF

This message displays any time the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system turns off. When this message has been displayed, ESC is no longer available to assist you with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .

This message displays only while the ignition is in RUN.

Any of the following conditions may cause the ESC system to turn off:

    • The ESC system is turned off by pressing and holding the traction control button. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information.
    • The battery is low.
    • There is an ESC system failure. See your dealer/retailer for service.

STARTING DISABLD (Disabled) SERVICE THRTTLE (Throttle)

This message displays if the starting of the engine is disabled due to the electronic throttle control system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

This message only appears while the ignition is in RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is resolved.

This message cannot be acknowledged.

THEFT ATTEMPTED

This message displays if the content theft-deterrent system has detected a break-in attempt while you were away from your vehicle. See Content Theft-Deterrent for more information.

TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE

This message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is re-learning the tire positions. See Tire Pressure Monitor System . The tire positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor. See Tire Inspection and Rotation and Inflation - Tire Pressure for more information.

TRACTION CONTROL OFF

This message displays when the Traction Control System (TCS) turns off. See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.

This message only displays while the ignition is in RUN and disappears after 10 seconds, unless it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.

Any of the following conditions may cause the TCS to turn off:

    • The TCS is turned off by pressing the traction control button. See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.
    • The battery is low.
    • There is a TCS failure. See your dealer/retailer for service.

TRACTION CONTROL ON

This message displays when the Traction Control System (TCS) turns on. See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.

TURN SIGNAL ON

This message displays as a reminder to turn off the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on. See Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever .

This message displays and a chime sounds only when the ignition is in RUN. The message will not disappear until the turn signal is manually turned off, or a turn is completed.