What does this button do??

[Zane]

Ya, i know, me the dumbarse who is writing the article on this dang truck, and i don't even know how to work it...  

 

 

I'm driving a media truck from Chevrolet, it is a 2003 1500 LT with Quadrasteer.  Inside, right below the 4Wheel Steer button, there is another button. (both are in the airbag switch pod).  It shows a tire and some "bumps", like the tire is going over them. When you push the button, a little light comes on next to the button.  For the life of me, i cannot figure out what this button does!! At first i thought it might be the ride control, BUT i'm not sure now.

 

Anyone have a clue?  I'll get a picture up soon.  

[chevy4x4trucks]

THAT'S THE EJECT BUTTON DON'T TOUCH IT....

 

 

Just messing w/ you, it sounds like the ride control button to me.

[MountaineerTom]

Without knowing about it, I'd guess it's ride control too.

 

Is there anything in the owners manual about it?  

[SnakeEyeSS]

I'd check the manual.....

[Zane]

Without knowing about it, I'd guess it's ride control too.

 

Is there anything in the owners manual about it?  

Nothing! Or at least nothing about a button with that partucular graphic. They changed alot of what was words on the IP of the 2002's to symbols on the 2003s.  Some of the manual pictures are still from 2002.  

[2k2TahoeSS]

I believe its traction assist.

 

Ben

[MountaineerTom]

I believe its traction assist.

 

Ben

I was just looking at the options on the Chevrolet site, and was going to ask if it could be Traction Assist.  I couldn't find a picture though.

[Shaners]

I think it is the Nitrous button!!!  LOL!!!

 

More than likely it's the ride control button, because traction assist seems like a strange option on a 4wd truck...  unless it is a way to shut off the AWD.

[MountaineerTom]

I think it is the Nitrous button!!!  LOL!!!

 

More than likely it's the ride control button, because traction assist seems like a strange option on a 4wd truck...  unless it is a way to shut off the AWD.

Is it 4WD?  I never noticed from the pic Zane posted.  

 

I think I remember seeing that it said Traction Assist is only available on select 1500 and 2500 2WD's.

[Shaners]

If it a 2wd truck, then it is more than likely a traction control device....  That would be easy enough to figure out with a couple of stabs at the gas peddle!!!  LOL!!!

[Zane]

i don't think its the traction assist, because its a 4x4 truck.  it must be the ride control, but you know, i couldn't tell. It doesn't make any differnce.  ???

[Jpshostr]

i don't think its the traction assist, because its a 4x4 truck.  it must be the ride control, but you know, i couldn't tell. It doesn't make any differnce.  ???

Load it up heavily, and try it again.

[RyanbabZ71]

Turbo Boost

 

Go go gadget helicopter???

[TxDoc]

Ride control. Firm for loads and regular for smoother riding with no loads.

 

Part of the QS package-includes:

roof marker lamps, fender flare lamps, ride control suspension,  HD trailering package, 6900 GVWR, FW1 ride control, UY2 camper privisions, 130 amp alternator, limited slip differential (Dana).

[TxDoc]

btw- StabiliTrak and Magnetic Ride to come.

Intelligent Chassis Control Systems: Taking Safety Along for the Ride

 

It's snowing out. Hard. The roadway is slick and icy, and driving conditions are, at best, difficult. One misstep could lead to potential disaster. However, vehicles equipped with today's new chassis technology can help drivers maintain control even before they realize they've lost it. The technology integrates traction and stability control systems, while onboard computers calculate steering, braking, yaw and other inputs, communicate with one another, and use the information to prevent oversteer.

 

These smart chassis systems are meant to help drivers avoid crashes altogether, and the seamless performance and safety enhancements they provide make this technology one of the most important automotive safety developments in decades.

 

GM was one of the first automakers to recognize the benefits of intelligent chassis control systems (ICCS). A leader in chassis control systems since the mid-1980s, GM has developed a variety of technologies to help drivers maintain stability and control, as well as improve ride and handling. These include antilock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability enhancement systems (i.e. StabiliTrak, Active Handling and Precision Control) road-sensing suspension, and electronic throttle controls. But GM's greatest industry achievement has been the overall integration of various chassis control sub-systems, which enable powertrain, brakes, steering and suspension components to share vital information, and coordinate a response consistent with driver intentions.

 

Smart systems

With an intelligent chassis system, the driver's ability to avoid a traffic hazard goes far beyond braking and steering. When the onboard computer receives inputs from steering, braking, transmission, shocks and elsewhere, and uses this information to assist the driver, it becomes a powerful tool. The "intelligence" refers to electronics, which can monitor and "read" the road surface as well as evaluate a vehicle's motion dynamics (such as if it enters into a slide or a skid) and then adjust the braking, suspension and torque to optimize control and handling. By networking sophisticated computer software and directional sensors with a vehicle's suspension, steering, throttle, transmission, anti-lock braking and traction control systems, GM's advanced intelligent chassis control systems can evaluate dynamic conditions and make corrections when needed. Collectively, these systems assist the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle, and improve ride and handling on rough roads or in slippery driving conditions.

 

"GM systems are designed to feel natural and to provide smooth, transparent assistance only when necessary," said Nick Zielinski, director of the GM Chassis Center. "In most cases, the driver doesn't know the system has been activated, except for an indicator light on the instrument panel."

 

Beyond anti-lock brakes and traction control, GM's first application of ICCS technology began with Road Sensing Suspension in 1996. When engineers added electronic throttle controls in 1997, the idea of a total Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) was born as StabiliTrak on three Cadillac models.

 

Since then, GM has delivered more than a million vehicles equipped with stability enhancement systems, making it the leader in bringing the safety and handling advantages to more people, in more market segments than any other automaker. In North America during the 2003 model year, GM offers stability enhancement systems on 17 products - and by model-year 2006, they will be available on the majority of GM cars and trucks.

 

For 2003, GM offers stability enhancement systems in the following segments:

 

Performance: Chevrolet Corvette (Active Handling)

Family sedan: Oldsmobile Intrigue (Precision Control System)

Large sedan: Pontiac Bonneville (StabiliTrak), Oldsmobile Aurora (Precision Control System), Buick LeSabre (StabiliTrak), Buick Park Avenue (StabiliTrak)

Luxury sedan: Cadillac DeVille (StabiliTrak), Cadillac Seville (StabiliTrak)

Luxury SUV: Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV (StabiliTrak)

Luxury sport-utility truck: Cadillac Escalade EXT (StabiliTrak)

Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicles and Utility Truck: Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali and Yukon Denali XL (all 1500 series)

The StabiliTrak system optimizes tire contact with the road surface, providing smooth, transparent stability and traction assistance when needed. By gently stabilizing the vehicle at critical moments, it restores control with minimal fuss and alarm, giving owners safety advantages that go far beyond the ability of even the most experienced drivers.

 

With StabiliTrak, the brakes and/or throttle are selectively and automatically manipulated to help follow the path the driver intends, either through more predictable steerability or by minimizing fishtailing during cornering, especially on slippery road surfaces. This helps diffuse potentially dangerous situations involving oversteer (the rear of the car swings out toward the outside of a turn) or understeer (the front of the car plows toward the outside of a turn without following the curve).

 

How does StabiliTrak work? A system of sensors and microprocessors continually monitors the vehicle's movement dynamics. By combining data from ABS sensors (wheel speed), steering angle sensors (direction), yaw sensors (rate the vehicle body rotates around its axis), and lateral acceleration sensors (amount of sideways traction), the main computer knows in an instant when a vehicle isn't behaving in a way the driver intends. Other inputs, such as steering wheel and throttle pedal position, help the processor understand how to improve traction at any slipping wheel and restore the vehicle's intended path. That's far beyond traction control-only systems, which act simply on a vehicle's drive wheels to prevent unwanted wheel spin under acceleration.

 

StabiliTrak helps drivers avoid crashes, but doesn't intrude on the overall driving experience. While no system can overcome the laws of physics, StabiliTrak helps correct human error. Like many of the safety systems that preceded it, it offers affordable, real-world benefits in a growing number of car and truck models, thanks to GM's wide product portfolio and large volume base, enabling a greater variety of customized systems for more segments than anyone else.

 

StabiliTrak is part of GM's initiative to use technology to enhance the safety, maneuverability and driveability of all of its cars and trucks. Systems such as Quadrasteer (four-wheel steering for full-size trucks) and Magnetic Ride Control (a real-time damping system with a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion), drive innovation at GM. Constantly improving computer algorithms will allow GM engineers to take intelligent vehicle chassis systems to the next level of integration on future products.

 

"We have a history of leveraging our vast size and technical resources to bring safety features to our customers," said Zielinski. "With technical advancements like stability enhancement and Quadrasteer, for example, we're able to capitalize on our large production volumes, and make the safety benefits of this technology available in more vehicles. GM is committed to maintaining its leadership position in making these innovative safety technologies available."

 

# # #

 

Magnetic Ride Control: The Secret of an Exceptionally 'Fluid' Ride

 

The idea of using electronics to improve a vehicle's ride dynamics is nothing new. For more than a decade, GM has offered several vehicle stability enhancement systems on various high-end models, enabling drivers to actively select suspension-damping rates to fit their driving style or road conditions. Now, a next-generation system promises big improvements in ride and handling, and debuts on the Cadillac Seville and 2003 Corvette coupe and convertible.

 

Engineers at GM research and development laboratories and later with experts at Delphi Corporation explored ways to reduce or eliminate the inherent restrictions of valve-based damping systems. The result is Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). This next-generation technology uses a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion with Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid in the shocks, and eliminates electro-mechanical valves.

 

By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid's consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable "real-time" damping. The system requires no bulky motors or solenoids, nor does one need to make any mechanical adjustments to the suspension components - just sending current to the damper makes the special magnetic fluid do the work.

 

Better still, this design offers superior handling, control and ride quality on the roughest road surfaces because it automatically minimizes damping forces as needed for improved road isolation and ride smoothness. It can respond to inputs in one millisecond, or 10 times faster than systems on the market today.

 

The system uses MR fluid-based monotube shocks, a sensor set and an on-board controller. The MR fluid contains randomly dispersed iron particles. In the presence of a magnetic field, the particles align into structures adopting a near-plastic state, increasing the damping properties while monitoring for changes up to 1000 times per second.

 

Using steering wheel and braking inputs from the driver via an existing set of sensors, MRC isolates and smooths the action of each tire. That's because electric current is sent to the coils in each damper, changing the flow properties of the damping fluid on an as-needed basis to reduce bouncing, vibration and noise.

 

On bumpy or slick surfaces, the system integrates with the vehicle's traction control unit to assure maximum stability. It also works with ABS and stability enhancement systems to keep the vehicle balanced and poised. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride and more precise, responsive handling - particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.

 

Ride and handling engineers developing vehicles with MRC can spend time adjusting the algorithms that control the damping responses on a computer and can fine-tune ride and handling characteristics to unprecedented levels of specificity - in less time.