GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

How does the traction control work, I have a 06 Gt, it has a button beside the hatch button which im assuming is it, Ive pressed it and nothing happens.

I didn't think the 03-06 GT models have any kind of traction control. They don't show it as an option on cars.com, but it is shown as an option for the base models. Is yours a 6 speed manual GT, or an automatic or 5 speed manual base Vibe?

http://www.cars.com/pontiac/vibe/2006/s ... -equipment

There should be a light that turns on to let you know the traction control is OFF. Usually you also have to hold down the traction control button for like 5 seconds to turn stability control off, so it does not accidentally get turned off. I know that is how it works on the newer Vibes and other cars.

Are you sure that's not the tire pressure sensor reset button?

Thanks Ill try that. I have the 6spd, there is a button beside the hatch release with a weird picture on it. I havent seen any lights on the dash come on when Ive driven in snow to indicate its on or slipping.

The 2006 brochure says Stabilitrak is available on the base, but not on the AWD or GT. Stabilitrak uses brakes and engine control to maintain control.

However, the car does have a simple Traction Control System that cuts power to the wheels if they spin. There's a button that allows you to turn it off left of the steering wheel. From the manual:


Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.

You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. Leave the system on during ordinary driving so
that it can operate when needed. When the ignition
is turned to ON, the system automatically turns on.
This light should come on
briefly when you start the
engine. If it stays on or
comes on while you
are driving, there is a
problem with your traction
control system.
The TRAC OFF button is
located to the left of the
steering wheel below
the instrument panel
cluster.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or newly fallen
snow, turn off the traction control system. The system
that controls engine performance interferes with the
process of freeing the front wheels. To turn off traction
control, press the TRAC OFF button. The traction
control system warning light will come on. The vehicle
stability control system (StabiliTrak®) is always activated,
even when the traction control system is turned off.
To turn the traction control system back on, press the
TRAC OFF button again. The traction control system
warning light will go off. See Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-34 for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. See Accessories and Modifications
on page 5-3 for more information.

A picture would resolve any confusion.

runningslow wrote:Are you sure that's not the tire pressure sensor reset button?

This was my thought too, but I thought the OP might have a base model instead of a GT and then it could have the option.

I still don't think any GT has traction control since they had the cable throttle, not an electronic one. Don't think they can control the throttle with the computer that way. I can see the brakes could work to stop a wheel that is slipping if the car has ABS.

saweetlou, could you post a picture of the button, or describe it? I know the tire pressure reset has a cut away view of the tire with SET written below it. The traction control button has TRAC OFF written on the button.

trb wrote:

runningslow wrote:Are you sure that's not the tire pressure sensor reset button?

This was my thought too, but I thought the OP might have a base model instead of a GT and then it could have the option.

I still don't think any GT has traction control since they had the cable throttle, not an electronic one. Don't think they can control the throttle with the computer that way. I can see the brakes could work to stop a wheel that is slipping if the car has ABS.

saweetlou, could you post a picture of the button, or describe it? I know the tire pressure reset has a cut away view of the tire with SET written below it. The traction control button has TRAC OFF written on the button.

The GT does have traction control. My 1998 Grand Am had traction control, and I assure you there was not an electronic throttle on that car. The brakes are not used for the traction control system; the system relies on cutting engine power, presumably via fuel delivery.

The brakes can be engaged individually with Stabilitrak, which was not available on the GT.

kumquat wrote:The GT does have traction control. My 1998 Grand Am had traction control, and I assure you there was not an electronic throttle on that car. The brakes are not used for the traction control system; the system relies on cutting engine power, presumably via fuel delivery.

The brakes can be engaged individually with Stabilitrak, which was not available on the GT.

I sure do occasionally wish my GT had traction control, but it is fun to spin the tires as much as I want, whenever I want. Do you know when they started offering it in the 1st gen GTs? I don't see any mention of it in the 2006 brochure that I have. It only mentions the Stabilitrak as being offered on the base models only.