Modern cars are equipped with advanced stability control systems like StabiliTrak. While there are comparable systems for other brands, this electronic stability control system was designed particularly for GM. StabiliTrak assists you in maintaining a straight path of travel by monitoring and modifying your car’s steering, braking, and traction. However, when there’s an issue with this system, the service StabiliTrak message will come on.
This system will examine if the steering wheel and tires are in alignment with the direction your car is traveling using sensors to determine their positions. The StabiliTrak system might malfunction as a sign of a number of different problems.
You might notice a difference in how your car switches gears when it’s not working properly, or you might discover that it has lost power. A dashboard light that symbolizes a car and has curved tire marks behind it should also be visible. This light informs you of important StabiliTrak system information. It should make a brief illumination whenever you start the car to let you know it’s working.
Well, in this article, we will get to discuss the answers to the following questions:
- What is StabiliTrak?
- What does the service StabiliTrak light mean?
- How does the StabiliTrak work?
- Are StabiliTrak and traction control systems the same?
- What causes the service StabiliTrak warning to come on?
- Can you drive with the service StabiliTrak warning light on?
- How can you reset the service StabiliTrak warning?
Read more: What does service brake assist mean?
Ok, let’s get down to business.
Contents
What is StabiliTrak?
StabiliTrak is a unique electronic stability control (ESC) system from General Motors (GM). This ESC system is intended to reduce engine power in low-traction situations to prevent wheels from slipping. Other manufacturers, though, have comparable technology with a different name. Many of the same concepts apply to all vehicles, even though a StabiliTrak warning won’t be present on a car that isn’t in the Chevrolet or GM lineup.
When you start to drive, the StabiliTrak system, which is a part of your car’s stability technology, administers brakes to each wheel separately and keeps your vehicle moving in a straight path or direction. Think of this technology as being akin to brakes with all-wheel drive. Similar to traction control, Stabilitrak is intended to keep the vehicle stable.
The system ensures that once your car is moving, it will move straight ahead. Using the steering wheel position sensor, it compares the positions of the tires and steering wheel to the path of the vehicle. If the system detects instability, such as the car zigzagging, it responds quickly.
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When the “Service StabiliTrak warning” appears on the dashboard, it typically indicates that there is a problem with your Chevy’s StabiliTrak system. Usually, this happens when a sensor notices problems with the wheel’s positioning or response to steering. If everything is working as it should, the system will automatically correct any understeer or oversteer.
In order for the Chevrolet StabiliTrak to work, the steering wheel position sensor has to provide data about the driver’s intention. The sensor adjusts the car’s movement in the right direction by comparing the position of the wheel to the actual steering response. Hence, a problem indicated by the Chevy Cruze’s StabiliTrak service may change how this function works.
When it’s functioning properly, the occupants’ safety and stability in the car are enhanced, especially when driving on slick surfaces. You will get a warning that there is a problem if a sensor malfunctions. Most of the time, this is not a dangerous situation, but you still want to have the problem fixed.
Read more: What does the ESP light mean? (Causes and how to fix it)
How does the StabiliTrak work?
StabiliTrak is a cutting-edge stability control technology that helps drivers keep control of their cars under difficult driving conditions. The system compares the driver’s inputs to the readings from sensors that monitor the vehicle’s speed, steering angle, and yaw rate. The system adjusts the vehicle’s course to maintain stability if it detects any deviations between the intended path and the actual path it is taking.
The vehicle is then brought back to its intended route by applying brakes to individual wheels and altering engine power. To offer a complete system for enhancing vehicle stability, StabiliTrak also works with other vehicle systems, such as traction control and the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The technology can also recognize when the driver is over- or under-steering, and it will make adjustments to stop the car from spinning out or losing traction.
StabiliTrak is a useful safety feature that can aid drivers in maintaining control of their cars under a range of difficult driving circumstances. StabiliTrak can assist drivers in keeping control and preventing accidents whether it’s raining, snowing, icy, or driving at high speeds.
Read more: Everything you need to know about ESP BAS light
Are StabiliTrak and traction control systems the same?
No, StabiliTrak and traction control are not the same. While both systems work to improve traction and stability, they do so through various means and functions. The technology known as traction control works to keep the wheels of the car from slipping, especially when accelerating on slick surfaces. It accomplishes this by adjusting engine output or selectively applying brakes to individual wheels.
In contrast, StabiliTrak is a more sophisticated stability control system that works to increase the car’s overall stability under a range of driving conditions. By adjusting engine power and applying brakes to individual wheels, it maintains stability by using sensors to monitor the vehicle’s speed, steering angle, and yaw rate.
While traction control is a subset of StabiliTrak, the latter offers a more comprehensive solution for improving vehicle stability and handling. Both systems may be included in certain vehicles as independent features, while in others they may be combined into a single stability control system.
Read more: Traction control light: meaning, causes, and how to reset
What causes the service StabiliTrak warning to come on?
The “Service StabiliTrak” warning light may illuminate for a number of reasons, including:
- problems with the StabiliTrak system, such as sensor or control module failure.
- a brake system issue, such as low brake fluid or a broken brake control module.
- traction control system issue, such as a sensor or control module malfunction.
- The driver may have disabled the StabiliTrak system, which would also turn on the warning light.
To pinpoint the precise reason for the warning light and take early corrective action, it’s crucial to have the vehicle diagnosed by a qualified mechanic.
Read more: Everything you need to know about a car ABS light
Can you drive with the service StabiliTrak warning light on?
The “Service StabiliTrak” warning light indicates a problem with the stability control system; hence, it is not recommended to drive a vehicle while it is illuminated. Particularly when driving in hazardous situations, this technology aids in maintaining the vehicle’s traction and stability. Driving with a malfunctioning stability control system raises the possibility of an accident and may make controlling the car more challenging. It is best to have the problem identified and fixed as soon as possible by a qualified mechanic.
How can you reset the service StabiliTrak warning?
Here are the steps to reset the “Service Stabilitrak” message on most Chevy and GM vehicles:
- Turn off the vehicle’s engine and make sure all of its accessories are off.
- Locate the battery in the car and unplug the negative cable to disconnect the battery. This will reset the car’s systems and erase any saved codes.
- Wait at least five minutes to give the vehicle’s systems a chance to completely reset.
- Reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten the connection to the battery.
- Start the vehicle. Run the engine for a few minutes after starting it. Check to see if the “Service Stabilitrak” message is still displayed.
Resetting the “Service Stabilitrak” warning may require somewhat different methods depending on the Chevy or GM vehicle’s year, make, and model. It is recommended to have the car checked by a qualified mechanic to identify and fix the underlying issue if the warning reappears after being reset.
Read more: How to reset airbag light in six simple steps
Watch the video to learn more about the meaning, symptoms, fixes, and how to reset the service StabiliTrak message:
FAQs
Can I drive my car if it says “Service StabiliTrak”?
It’s usually ok to drive your car, but we do not recommend it. Just be aware that the systems that would normally help you control your car in a sliding situation aren’t working, so you should drive carefully when necessary. Having a technician examine the system is the best course of action.
How much does it cost to fix service StabiliTrak?
Stabilitrak repairs are remarkably inexpensive considering how complicated the system is. Stabilitrak fixes typically cost between $80 and $200. Given how complex these systems may be, that’s not bad for a car repair.
What causes StabiliTrak problems?
A malfunctioning powertrain control module, faulty sensors, and bad wiring are some of the most typical issues with StabiliTrak. If the StabiliTrak service light is on in your car, you should have it checked or repaired.
What causes your StabiliTrak light to come on?
When the warning indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, there may be a number of problems present, including faulty steering angle sensors, faulty rotational speed sensors, and faulty wheel speed sensors, as well as a steering rack issue.
What do you do with a service StabiliTrak message?
Like any other warning notice, the Service StabiliTrak should never be disregarded. It indicates that there is a problem with your car’s stability control system. You shouldn’t drive your vehicle if the warning light is on until you have time to examine it. Be careful to stop so you can try to fix the problem.
Can low transmission fluid cause StabiliTrak problems?
Low transmission Fluid levels commonly cause hard shifting because they cause the metal parts of the transmission to brush against one another very forcefully. In contrast, there is typically no connection between the service StabiliTrak status and low fluid levels.
What sensor controls StabiliTrak?
The traction control-related StabiliTrak system from GM is intended to help your car “stabilize” and maintain a straight course when traction is lost. The EBCM, wheel speed sensors, and steering wheel position sensors all work together to control it.
That is all for this article, where we discussed the answers to the following questions:
- What is StabiliTrak?
- What does the service StabiliTrak light mean?
- How does the StabiliTrak work?
- Are StabiliTrak and traction control systems the same?
- What causes the service StabiliTrak warning to come on?
- Can you drive with the service StabiliTrak warning light on?
- How can you reset the service StabiliTrak warning?
I hope you learn a lot from the reading. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
