Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip and assist the driver in maintaining control, especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the drive wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, TCS applies the brakes to the spinning wheels and reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the vehicle senses a difference between the intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and traction control or StabiliTrak begins to limit wheel spin, cruise control will disengage. Cruise control may be turned back on when road conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when the vehicle is started and begins to move. The systems may be heard or felt while they are operating or while performing diagnostic checks. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9-8 and “Turning the Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This light will:
- Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
- Flash when StabiliTrak is activated.
- Turn on and stay on when either system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and 
comes
on and stays on to indicate that the system is inactive and is not assisting the
driver in maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to drive, but driving should
be adjusted accordingly.
If 
comes on and stays on:
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
- Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If 
comes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak is on the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle driveline could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and release the
button. The Traction Off Light
displays in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS on again, press and release the
button. The Traction Off Light
displayed in the instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when the
button is pressed, the system will
not turn off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak, press and hold the
button until the Traction Off Light
and StabiliTrak Off Light
come on and stay on in the instrument
cluster. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on again, press and release the
button. The Traction Off Light
and StabiliTrak Off Light
in the instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10-3.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has an HSA feature, which may be useful when the vehicle is stopped
on a grade sufficient enough to activate HSA.
This feature is designed to prevent the vehicle from rolling, either f ...
Cruise Control
If equipped with cruise control, the vehicle can maintain a speed of about 40
km/h (25 mph) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. Cruise control
does not work at speeds below 40 km ...
Other materials:
Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children.
Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need,
for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United
States and in every Canadian province ...
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specific tires for the vehicle. The original equipment
tires installed were designed to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC Spec) system rating. When replacement tires are needed, GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC Sp ...
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
Warning
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death. Never run the engine in an enclosed
area that has ...
