What Does the Service StabiliTrak Message Mean?

Today’s modern vehicles feature sophisticated systems that assist with the driving experience. In GM vehicles, this is called StabiliTrak, their electronic stability control system. Other brands will have similar systems. It is confusing when the Service StabiliTrak warning comes up on the dash.

Stabilitrak helps keep your vehicle straight. The system monitors steering, braking, and traction. StabiliTrak uses sensors to read your steering wheel position and tire position to ensure that they are facing the same general direction as your vehicle is travelling.

In this guide, we review Service StabiliTrak systems and things you should do when you have a Service StabiliTrak warning light. This guide will also discuss how to reset the light.

What is StabiliTrak?

StabiliTrak is a one-of-a-kind electronic stability control (ESC) system developed by General Motors (GM). This ESC system is designed to reduce engine power in low-traction conditions to prevent wheels from slipping.

Other manufacturers, however, do have comparable technology, just called something different. Similar technology applies to all vehicles, even if a StabiliTrak warning will not be on your dashboard and the vehicle is not a Chevrolet or GM product.

Once you start driving, the StabiliTrak system, which is a component of your vehicle’s stability technology, activates electronic brakes for each wheel, individually, guiding your vehicle to continue in a straight direction.

Your StabiliTrak technology is like brakes with all-wheel drive. StabiliTrak is designed to maintain vehicle stability, like traction control.

StabiliTrak measures the steering wheel position sensor and compares it with the actual steering response and the direction of the vehicle. Once you start your car’s forward motion, it will ensure that the vehicle moves straight. It will help you through steering to stay straight instead of zigzagging like instability.

Generally, if the warning “Service StabiliTrak” appears on the dashboard, it means there is a problem with your Chevy’s StabiliTrak system.

When a sensor detects an issue on the wheel’s positioning or actual response to steering, the warning appears. If everything is working fine, the StabiliTrak system will handle any understeer or oversteer under the monitor of the steering wheel sensor.

For Chevrolet StabiliTrak to perform as designed, the steering wheel position sensor must compare the driver’s intention for the vehicle’s motion.

The sensor can adjust the vehicle’s movement in the proper direction as it compares the position of the wheel with the actual response to steering when the steering wheel is moved. The problem represented by the StabiliTrak service on the Chevy Cruze may also modify that operation.

When the StabiliTrak is functioning as designed, the occupants in the car feel safe and stable while driving, especially on slippery surfaces. If a sensor fails, you will get a warning that there is a problem. That problem may or may not prove to be a safety issue. You may want to get the problem repaired as soon as possible.

How does StabiliTrak technology work?

StabiliTrak is a state-of-the-art stability control system designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles in difficult driving situations.

The system will compare the driver’s inputs to the information that multiple sensors send to their controller, which measure the speed of the vehicle, steering angle, and yaw rate.

Then the system will adjust the course of the vehicle back to the intended course if there are any discrepancies between the motion intended by the driver and the actual motion of the vehicle itself.

In order to bring the vehicle back to its intended line, StabiliTrak uses the brakes on individual wheels and can even change engine power.

The StabiliTrak system can work together to form a complete system designed to increase the stability of the vehicle; for instance, the StabiliTrak system works with traction control and anti-lock brakes.

StabiliTrak can also identify if the driver is understeering or oversteering and adjusts the steering to prevent you from spinning out or losing traction.

StabiliTrak is a great safety feature that can help drivers maintain control of their vehicles no matter the difficult driving conditions. StabiliTrak can help the driver maintain control and can help prevent accidents, whether it’s raining, snowing, icy, or even if you’re speeding.

What does the service StabiliTrak light mean?

When the StabiliTrak system has an issue, your vehicle computer will trigger the service StabiliTrak message. The service StabiliTrak alert is often tripped when there is an issue with either the position of the tires or the angle of the steering wheel.

If the StabiliTrak system has no other issues, it will react automatically to correct the understeer or oversteer situation before the driver even realizes there is a problem.

The StabiliTrak system helps to keep you, your vehicle, and the people sharing the road with you safe, as well as increasing your vehicle’s performance and safety on a slick road. When a sensor that is part of the StabiliTrak system is malfunctioning, the system will trigger a warning light indicating the problem.

Your vehicle’s traction control system will not work effectively when the StabiliTrak service warning light is present. So don’t panic; it’s not a serious risk, just remember to work out what the problem is and then take the appropriate action to repair the problem.

Potential Causes of Service StabiliTrak Message

Typically, the message “Service StabiliTrak” means there is a fault involving the traction control system, brake system components or steering wheel system. Some of the more typical parts that fail that impact the StabiliTrak System are a bad ABS sensor, a defective throttle position sensor and/or a bad steering angle sensor.

The StabiliTrak System runs through the traction control system, components in the ABS brake system and steering wheel. However, there could be other causes outside of those systems beyond traction control or brake components.

The more common causes to get a Service StabiliTrak message includes:

• Bad throttle position sensor
• Defective ABS sensors
• Bad steering angle sensor/steering wheel position sensor
• Old or corroded spark plugs
• Bad fuel pump
• Engine misfire
• Problems with the Active Fuel Management system
• Faulty brake switch
• Faulty tire pressure monitor sensor
• Malfunctioning body control module
• Using E85 fuel

There are many causes for the StabiliTrak light coming on; the more common complaints were due to the system being unable to see a bad sensor, so it had to shut down.

Simply put, a code scanner would give you the fault code, letting you know which sensor was bad and would allow you to fix the fault.

Beyond sensor issues, one rare one I’ve seen before is using E85 fuel, which has been documented by many drivers on the Internet.

Adding conventional gasoline back into the tank seems to clear the StabiliTrak light and check engine light on its own. Therefore, always worth thinking about if you recently filled up at the gas pump and had no obvious trouble codes.

A bad fuel pump can also cause similar problems, even if StabiliTrak was not affected and is not part of the fuel system. ALL of the symptoms the car displays will need to be monitored in order to make a proper diagnosis.

If other symptoms discussed above are showing at the same time, it will make it easier to diagnose.

You need to consider Technical Service Bulletins. For example, you may find some great service bulletins that have been published for GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt and Buick Envision as examples.

Symptoms of a Bad Service StabiliTrak System

• Warning message: The illuminated StabiliTrak light on the vehicle dashboard is one of the clear symptoms of a bad StabiliTrak System.
• Trouble Code: Your Vehicle computer may have triggered a trouble code relating to speed sensor failure, steering wheel sensor failure, and ABS fault.
• Reduced acceleration or power: In certain conditions, a bad StabiliTrak System may lead your car to lose acceleration or power, making it difficult to drive.
• Strange noise: When this system fails, you may hear strange sounds from the vehicle compartment.
• Limp mode: The vehicle computer may turn on the limp mode when it recognizes a problem with your service StabiliTrak System.
• Reduced stability control: Your car may be more prone to understeering, oversteering, or skidding, leading to loss of control and possible accidents.
• Hard starting conditions: When your service StabiliTrak System has failed, your car will be hard to start or may not start at all.
• Loss of traction control. The vehicle may experience reduced traction control or may become difficult to handle, especially in slippery or wet conditions.

How to Reset Service StabiliTrak Message

When you see the Service StabiliTrak warning light on the dashboard, be aware that there is something wrong with the system. This can be due to a computer error or software malfunction that has caused the system to repeatedly turn off.

Before you reset the warning light, you want to perform a full diagnostic on the system to find out the fault. The warning lights are there to warn you of something dangerous.

When you have run diagnostics and understand how to fix the problem, you may then reset the warning light.

Here are a few aspects you can try to reset the Service StabiliTrak Message:

• Check the StabiliTrak button; if it has been pushed in manually the warning light will stay on.
• Look at weather systems and road conditions. If there is a reason for the system to disable automatically, that could be the cause of the warning light.
• Turn the steering wheel clockwise. If the light goes off there may not be anything wrong with the StabiliTrak system. If the warning light stays on then follow these steps.
• Turn the vehicle off. Walk away and do something for about 15 minutes to allow the system a chance to reset.
• Start the vehicle again. If the message has disappeared, you do not need service. If it is still there, it is time you perform diagnostics completely.

If the Service StabiliTrak light still exists, there could be multiple faults in the system. It could involve a defective input sensor or possibly a malfunctioned controller. Simply, there is a bad connection in the system that needs to be re-established.

You will spend, on average, anywhere from $200 to about $550 to repair the Service StabiliTrak warning, based on what the fault is. If you have any doubts, have the vehicle diagnosed at a mechanic who understands the GM technology.

Can I Drive with the StabiliTrak Light On?

If you have chosen to turn StabiliTrak off, there is nothing wrong with your system, and you can drive as you would normally. When the system is disabled, there will be no traction control, so you will notice the tires spinning and not turning in certain slippery situations. Be safe and be smart when driving in slippery conditions.

If StabiliTrak is turned off because of a fault, then you need to have the vehicle looked at. Only after you have diagnosed trouble codes can you come to a conclusion of how safe it is to keep driving. You may be able to wait in some conditions when you can feel comfortable driving the vehicle without traction control.

That said, some of the causes are going to lead to further issues. For instance, if the reason StabiliTrak is malfunctioning is causing another issue, then you are probably best off getting the fault resolved.

Stabilitrak vs. Electronic Stability Control

Stabilitrak is a traction control system that is more advanced than Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems. Traction control and stability control are two different ideas, but both can be lifesaving devices.

Traction control stops wheelspin by applying brake pressure and controlling the throttle, while stability control is an evolution of traction control that bites one or three wheels, or even cuts the power, to send a car in an intended direction.

Stability control often cuts power and brake wheels to help maintain control of a vehicle when the tires lose grip or can’t find traction.

Difference Between StabiliTrak System and Traction Control System

While traction control and StabiliTrak are different systems, they both exist for improving vehicle traction and stability but. However, they have different methodologies and functions to achieve this.

The traction control system works off the premise of lessening the amount of acceleration of the wheels, and it has mainly been used primarily on slick or slippery surfaces. In the example of slippery surfaces, the traction control system will limit acceleration of the rear wheels by imposing limiting engine power, or braking at each of the rear wheels.

The StabiliTrak system is an advanced stability control system. The purpose of the StabiliTrak system is to provide for improved stability of the vehicle in various driving conditions.

As previously stated, the StabiliTrak system improves stability by utilizing data from the additional sensors. The onboard sensors captures the necessary data on aspects of the vehicle, such as speed, steering angle and yaw rate.

Once the vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate are calculated and display potential instability with the driving condition, then the StabiliTrak system can improve stability through modulating engine power or by controlling the brakes at each wheel.

In some vehicle systems, these two systems operate separately from each other. In many vehicle systems, the two systems work together, accumulating to one integrated stability control system.

Traction Control System	StabiliTrak System
The traction control system helps to keep the vehicle stable during acceleration and sudden stops.	The StabiliTrak system will help ensure you have control of your vehicle in various driving situations
The traction control system can activate automatically when the system detects traction loss.	The StabiliTrak system has a switch or button that you can utilize to turn on the system.
The traction control system helps to keep the vehicle stable with acceleration and sudden stops.	The StabiliTrak system will assist in helping you not skid, oversteer, or understeer.
The traction control system looks at the spinning speed from a number of sensors on the car to see if it’s necessary to brake or reduce power to traction compromised wheels.	The StabiliTrak system looks at the acceleration and control of the vehicle and can apply the brake to individual wheels to maintain control.
The traction control system has been used for a long time and is present in most new automobiles.	It is normally available on most newer vehicles in the last couple of years as a standard safety feature.
The traction control system works in conjunction with the powertrain control module (PCM) and ABS.	The StabiliTrak system works with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
There can be problems with both the traction control system and the electronic stability control system from electrical issues such as faulty wiring, bad sensors or faulty electrical components.	There can be problems with both the traction control system and the electronic stability control system from electrical issues such as faulty wiring, bad sensors, or faulty electrical components.

FAQs.