Traction Control

jlong · 09-08-2006, 10:16 AM

Did some Alero's not come with traction control? My wife has a 2004 Alero 2.2 auto and in the rain this thing is scary sometimes. We just bought new tires, Goodyear Assurance TripleTread and they help a lot but it could be better I think with traction control. At least I don't think it has traction control because if you really punch it from a stop in the rain the tires will spin freely.

Is there a way to turn it on in the computer?

comanche · 09-08-2006, 10:56 AM

I had an 03' Alero 2.2L, and it didn't have ABS either. There are two ways to find out for sure whether or not your car has ABS/traction. 1) The easiest- call the dealer and have them run your VIN. 2) The ABS computer-if it has one-is located- if I'm right- on the drivers side, behind the fender splash shield, tucked into the windshield washer fluid container. If it's not there, you dont have ABS. ( If I'm right, b/c thats the EBCM) Anyway, don't plan on ABS or traction.

jlong · 09-08-2006, 12:05 PM

Thanks for the advice.

Well I called the dealer and he said it has abs and traction control. Hum... does the traction control light come on when you start the car. I know the ABS light comes on when it starts.

Cliff8928 · 09-09-2006, 03:33 AM

if you have traction control, there will be a ETC switch behind the shifter. Also there are both "LOW TRAC" and "TRAC OFF" lights in the cluster. ABS (includes traction control) was optional in 2003 and 2004.

I will say that at least on my '04, the traction control is farily lax. It takes longer than most cars to start cutting power.

jlong · 09-09-2006, 06:05 PM

Hum... I guess it's not really worth it then.

Vtolds · 09-09-2006, 06:42 PM

You shouldn't have many traction problems with that little motor. In my 2000 with a 2.4 liter I hardly ever needed to uses the traction control but it did come in handy. Now with my Impala which makes 200hp there is a defenite need for traction control.

Cliff8928 · 09-10-2006, 03:21 AM

I have no problems breaking the tires (235/45R17) loose in the rain with the Ecotec. I actually like that the traction control is not very intrusive like most.

jayson_waltz · 09-11-2006, 12:41 PM

Scary in the rain??? Rain doesn't even bother my alero (and i have cheap tires.) and it will keep moving through snow even if it is bottomed out. anywho, stomp on the gas on gravel. It should say low trac on the cluster.