2011 Chevrolet Impala Owner's Manual - Page 239

Driving and Operating 9-31 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Your vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which combines antilock brake, traction, and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions. When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure there are no problems. You may hear or feel the system working. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem with your vehicle. The system should initialize before the vehicle reaches 32 km/h (20 mph). If the system fails to turn on or activate, the ESC/TCS light will be on solid, and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be displayed. For more information, see Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑35. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is automatically enabled whenever you start your vehicle. To assist the driver with vehicle directional control, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But, you can turn ESC off if you ever need to. If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system begins to assist the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will flash and the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See Cruise Control on page 9‑32. This light will flash on the instrument panel cluster when the ESC system is both on and activated. You may also feel or hear the system working; this is normal. When the light is on solid and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed, the system will not assist the driver in maintaining directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Ride Control System Messages on page 5‑35.