GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

StabiliTrak® System Automatic Transmission

Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle stability enhancement system called StabiliTrak®. It is an advanced computer controlled system that assists you with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.

StabiliTrak® activates when the computer senses a discrepancy between your intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak® selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's brakes to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on the intended path.

When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to insure 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.

If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak®, a SERVICE STAB SYS message will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information. When this message is displayed, the system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.

StabiliTrak® comes on automatically whenever you start your vehicle. However, when the transfer case is placed in Four-Wheel-Low Lock mode, StabiliTrak® is automatically disabled. See Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive for more information. To help assist you with directional control of the vehicle, you should always leave the system on. You can turn StabiliTrak® off if you ever need to using the TC (traction control) on/off button. If you press and hold the TC button for five seconds, the StabiliTrak® system and the traction control system will turn off. When this is done, the STAB SYS OFF message will be displayed on the DIC. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak® back on. See Traction Control System (TCS) .

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the StabiliTrak® activates, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage the cruise control. See " Cruise Control for more information.