2005 Saturn Ion Owner's Manual - Page 185
2005 Saturn Ion Manual
Page 185 highlights
The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you have chosen, so you should use the lower gears only when necessary. The Enhanced Traction System automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. The light on the traction control button will also come on to let you know the system is on. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control system off if you ever need to. You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-29 and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-28. To turn the system on or off, press the enhanced traction system button located on the instrument panel switchbank. When you turn the system off, the TRAC OFF message will be displayed. If the Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin when you press the button to turn the system off, the TRAC OFF message will be displayed, but the system will not turn off until there is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin. You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the button again. The TRAC OFF message will no longer be displayed. Limited-Slip Differential Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip transaxle can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard transaxle most of the time, but when one of the front wheels loses traction, this feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle. Steering Electric Power Steering If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power steering assist system will continue to operate until you are able to stop the vehicle. If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. 4-9