For 1990-2009 cars

Your vehicle may be equipped with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which combines antilock brake, traction and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.

When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure 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. The system should initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h). In some cases, it may take approximately two miles of driving before the system initializes.

If the system fails to turn on or activate, the ESC/TCS light will be on solid, and the ESC OFF or SERVICE ESC message will be displayed.

If the vehicle has gone through heavy acceleration or braking during the first two miles after starting your vehicle, these messages and the ESC/TCS light may also appear. If this is the case, your vehicle does not need servicing. Turn your vehicle off and back on again to reset the system. If the SERVICE ESC message appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), and your vehicle hasn't gone through hard acceleration or braking in the first two miles, your vehicle should be taken in for service.

For more information, see Driver Information Center (DIC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light .

This light will flash on the instrument panel cluster when the ESC system is both on and activated.

You may also feel or hear the system working; this is normal.

When the light is on solid and either the SERVICE ESC or ESC OFF message is displayed, the system will not assist the driver in maintaining directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See DIC Warnings and Messages .

See Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To assist the driver with vehicle directional control, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But, you can turn ESC off if you ever need to.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system begins to assist the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will flash and the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See Cruise Control .

The ESC/TCS button is located on the instrument panel.

The traction control system can be turned off or back on by pressing the ESC/TCS button. To disable both traction control and ESC, press and hold the button briefly.

When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION OFF message will first appear, then the ESC OFF message and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver that both traction control and ESC are disabled.

It is recommended to leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to "rock" your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high wheel spin is required. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow . Also, see "Competitive Driving Mode" later in this section.

ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines that a problem exists with the system. The ESC OFF and SERVICE ESC messages and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and requires service. If the problem does not clear itself after restarting the vehicle, you should see your dealer/retailer for service. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect your vehicle's performance. See Accessories and Modifications for more information.

### Competitive Driving Mode

The driver can select this optional handling mode by pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console two times within a five second time period. COMPETITIVE MODE will be displayed in the DIC. Competitive Driving Mode allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the ESC system helps maintain directional control of the vehicle by selective brake application. Although the ESC/TCS light will not be on, the traction control system will not be operating. Adjust your driving accordingly.

When you press the ESC button again, or restart the vehicle, the ESC and TCS will be turned back on.

Notice: When traction control is turned off, or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the drive wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible to cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels do not have traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered. See the warranty book for additional information.