GM's StabiliTrak, What the Heck Is It?
GM’s StabiliTrak is a traction control safety feature included in all GM vehicles that helps give the driver maximum control of their vehicle.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Car manufacturers are doing everything they can these days to improve their vehicles'
road safety
. GM has gotten into the game with a number of impressive safety feature
s, one of which is its StabiliTrak. This GM technology can help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Here's what StabiliTrak can do for you
StabiliTrak comes standard on all GM vehicles. As
Holiday Automotive
explains, this technology is a type of traction control system. What's a traction control system, you ask? Basically, it's an automotive system designed to help drivers maintain maximum control over their vehicles by constantly monitoring both driver input and
dangerous driving conditions
on the road.StabiliTrak could be described as an extension of an antilock braking system. The main difference between the two is that ABS applies the brakes when it senses wheel slippage, while StabiliTrak is capable of controlling each wheel individually.
Doing so provides much more control over the vehicle and allows for minor adjustments to prevent dangerous situations such as skidding and hydroplaning.
Stabilitrak bears some resemblance to Electronic Stability Control systems on other vehicles, given that both are types of traction control systems. Nevertheless, Stabilitrak offers advanced technology that provides even more stability than other systems of its type.
Can you disable Stabilitrak?
Occasionally, you may find yourself in a situation where it's actually more helpful to turn off Stabilitrak than to leave it on.
Per
Auto Troop
, for example, you're likely to have more success in getting yourself out of the snow and ice if Stabilitrak isn't engaged, even if you have winter tires
installed. That's because your car can gain greater momentum without Stabilitrak's attempts to help.To turn your Stabilitrak off in a Chevy or GMC vehicle, the process is relatively simple. You just need to hold down your traction control button for several seconds, until you see a notification that Stabilitrak has been disabled. The process may vary slightly on other types of vehicles.
GM's standard safety features
GM places a premium on ensuring the safety of its drivers and passengers. For that reason, it offers numerous safety features that come standard on all of its vehicles. By making these features standard, potential customers don't need to worry that safety comes at an additional price.
One standard safety feature on all GM vehicles is its Teen Driver technology, which allows you as a parent to set limits on things like audio volume and speed.
With these sorts of controls in place, you can rest assured that your teen will not get overly distracted or find themselves tempted to drive at unsafe speeds.
Another safety feature standard on GM vehicles is its Rear Seat Reminders.
This feature is especially important for parents of small children and infants, as it will alert them when they've accidentally left a child in the backseat of the vehicle. Such alerts can be lifesaving when temperatures rise.
Jerry's also there for you as a driver
GM knows that feeling safe on the road is critical, and so does
Jerry
. Jerry helps give you peace of mind by finding you the best car insurance rates quickly and easily. Jerry can compare quotes from dozens of car insurance companies in just seconds, helping you nab the best deal out there. Even better, it automatically compares your rate to other offers every six months, assuring you that you're never going to end up overpaying for auto insurance.
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