Chevrolet StabiliTrak Light Meaning
Keeping us all safe during our travels is just one of the many critical considerations automotive design teams and engineers incorporate into their vehicles.
There are the obvious safety features that are a given when it comes to vehicle safety, like ABS and emergency braking, which have been around for a few decades now, along with airbags and, not to mention, seat belts.
There are, however, some not-so-obvious safety systems that work quietly and unobtrusively in the background of our vehicles, ensuring we reach our destination in one piece.
Just one such modern safety feature found on all new Chevrolet models is StabiliTrak.
Don't go anywhere as we share more about this safety technology feature and the Service StabiliTrak light meaning.
What is StabiliTrak?
The StabiliTrak safety feature is General Motors' (GM) brand of electronic stability control system that incorporates traction control to assist drivers in maintaining control of their Chevy while driving in more challenging road conditions.
Rain-drenched, slippery, or muddy roads can be safely navigated during emergency maneuvers thanks to this modern technology.
The StabiliTrak system utilizes sensors to monitor both the steering position and your vehicle's wheel speed and rotation.
When the StabiliTrak system detects any loss of traction, it will automatically apply brakes to the individual wheels, along with adjusting power output to the driven wheels to help keep your vehicle on its intended path. The StabiliTrak system will show a flashing light in the instrument cluster when the system is helping to rectify a loss of traction, which is normal.
By reducing loss of traction that results in skidding or sliding out, the system also prevents dangerous fishtailing, ensuring that you remain in control of the vehicle. When the "Service StabiliTrak" on your Chevy alert appears, it typically means this protection is compromised and requires attention.
StabiliTrak Light vs. Traction Control Light
As we've already mentioned above, the StabiliTrak system in your new Chevy also incorporates a traction control system or TCS. There is, however, a difference between the two systems and their respective warning lights.
The StabiliTrak system's light will illuminate solidly without any flashing when there happens to be a problem with the stability system's electronic sensors, meaning that you may be driving without the added protection of this safety feature.
The TCS light coming on permanently will indicate an issue with that separate system, which can result in a loss of traction with noticeably increased wheel spin during acceleration, particularly on slippery surfaces.
What Would Cause the StabiliTrak Light to Come on in a Chevy?
Let's share more about all the possible causes for the StabiliTrak light to come on in your Chevy.
Wheel Speed Sensor Issues
The wheel speed sensors are there to monitor the rotation speeds of each wheel on your Chevy. The oftentimes extremely harsh operating environment of these sensors can cause damage to the sensor or even its connecting wires.
Ingress of water will cause electrical shorts, rocks or stones may knock the sensor, and branches on off-road trails may snag and damage the connecting wires.
Steering Angle Sensor Problems
Unfortunately, no electrical system is completely failproof, especially in a vehicle that is subjected daily to all kinds of bumps, heat, freezing conditions, and vibrations that can quite easily cause the steering angle sensor to suffer from a failure.
All these not-so-ideal conditions can lead to damaged or loose wiring, connectors, or poor ground connections that will disrupt sensor signals.
ABS System Faults
The ABS sensors located at each wheel of your Chevy have a hard life dealing with water, mud, dust, stones, and other road debris. The likelihood of damage over time is high, particularly if your Chevy sees a lot of off-road travel.
A faulty ABS system can be caused by faults in the electronic circuits and wiring that are subjected to the bumps, heat, freezing conditions, and vibrations that are part and parcel of our travels.
Low Battery Voltage
A low-voltage problem from a failing battery or even a faulty charging system that can no longer keep the battery fully charged can create havoc with a modern vehicle's electronics and trigger the StabiliTrak warning light to come on.
Modern vehicle electronics are sensitive to proper voltage supply, and any system voltage drops can disrupt communication between the various control modules and the various sensors used in the StabiliTrak system.
This resultant electrical confusion can cause your Chevy's ECU to register faults in other systems that are actually fine, triggering the "Service StabiliTrak" message as a symptom of the actual underlying problem of a low battery.
Throttle Body or Sensor Malfunctions
As we have already learned, the StabiliTrak system will control throttle inputs when helping keep your Chevy on track.
The throttle body on your Chevy also makes use of sensors such as the TPS or throttle position sensor, and any fault with this sensor or the throttle body itself will, in turn, trigger the StabiliTrak warning light.
Wiring or Module Failures
Part and parcel of any vehicle's electronics systems are the wiring harness and control modules.
Any breaks or faults in the wiring, connectors, terminals, and control modules of the StabiliTrak system will cause the warning light to come on.
What a Flashing StabiliTrak Light Indicates
No need to panic. A flashing StabiliTrak light simply means that the StabiliTrak system is active and helping to maintain traction. This is completely normal when encountering slippery road conditions, hard turns, or any unexpected wheel spin when driving on wet or icy roads.
What a Solid StabiliTrak Light Indicates
A solid StabiliTrak warning light is not good as the system has detected a fault and is deactivated. As already shared above, there are a number of possible problems that will cause the warning light to remain on.
How to Reset the StabiliTrak System
Sometimes the warning light may just be an electronic glitch, which can be easily rectified by the owners themselves.
Simple Ignition Reset
A simple restart of your Chevy may be all that is required to reset the StabiliTrak system.
First, turn your vehicle off for 15 seconds and then start it again and check if the warning light has gone off.
Battery Disconnect Reset
If the warning light remains after trying the simple restart process, then try disconnecting the cable from the negative terminal of the battery for 10 to 15 minutes to clear the system's memory.
Once the battery has been reconnected, turn your Chevy's steering wheel all the way to the left, and then all the way to the right and then take your Chevy for a short drive to allow the system to self-check.
Button Reset in Certain Models
While there is no "button reset" in your Chevrolet to reset the StabiliTrak light, some Chevy models do have a button to manually turn the StabiliTrak system off or on.
When a Reset Will Not Fix the Issue
After having tried the self-help route and the light remains on, it's best to have the system inspected by a professional workshop or, better still, your closest Chevy service center as soon as possible as the traction control will be disabled, which can make for unsafe travels.
Can I Drive My Car If It Says Service StabiliTrak?
Yes, you can, technically speaking, drive your Chevy if the "Service StabiliTrak" message appears. The underlying reason for the warning light coming on may, however, render your vehicle unsafe, especially in poor weather, as the stability control system may not be functioning correctly or disabled.
How Dealership Technicians Diagnose StabiliTrak Problems
A professional service center like those found at Colonial Chevrolet has the technicians with the required expertise, the correct tools and parts to diagnose and repair any StabiliTrak problems.
Typical Repairs for StabiliTrak Issues
Quite often, a simple OBD diagnosis and system reset is all that's needed to address StabiliTrak issues, but more complex and costly problems may include replacing a faulty steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensors, or brake/ABS components, or fixing problems with the throttle body.
Preventive Maintenance Tips for Avoiding StabiliTrak Warnings
As with any vehicle, regular maintenance, sticking to the manufacturer's recommended intervals, goes a long way to preventing problems such as the StabiliTrak warning light coming on.
For example, neglecting to check and top up brake fluid will cause a low brake fluid warning, which in turn will set off the StabiliTrak system.
Owners should also ensure that their vehicle's wheels and suspension are regularly aligned so that the steering wheel position sensor remains correctly calibrated to avoid any StabiliTrak warnings.
Get Your Chevy StabiliTrak Serviced at Colonial Chevrolet
Make sure that your Chevy stays in its best possible driving condition by having it serviced at Colonial Chevrolet in New London, CT.
The StabiliTrak system is one of several essential safety technologies built into your Chevy, so contact the service center at Colonial Chevrolet for all recommended maintenance, especially if you see the "Service StabiliTrak" on your Chevy message displayed.
Our dealership's certified service center, with our skilled technicians, provides an amazing customer service experience to ensure that your Chevy receives the correct maintenance and repair.