what is autotrac in a 99 alero

[dragon.tamer.]

i have a 1999 alero 4banger with autotrac. the light for low trac keeps blinking how do i check the fluid. and what is the autotrac for.

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[Punk6296]

A trip to your glove box & owners manual would really help you.. Auto trac is a traction control system that takes power away from a wheel thats is "slipping", in other words spinning faster than the others. The low trac light is short for "low traction" nothing to do with fluid. just low traction... if its that annoying i believe you should have an ETS button on your dash somewhere like in the grand am's because thats what an alero is pretty much that disables or engages the system.

[ibthumpin]

as punk mentioned. In alero's the defeat button was on console behind shifter IIRC. Only problem was that you have to defeat everytime you start up - system wouldn't retain your setting.

You'd definatly know if the traction control system was engaging as there'd be a drastic drop in power. When the system senses wheel slip, fuel delivery is scaled back until slippage goes away - you can keep your foot to the floor, the system will only allow acceleration to the point of wheel slippage.

If the indicator light is coming on during bumpy section of road, that could indicate poor shocks. Tires are momentarily losing contact with road. If it's jsut coming on randomly, could be trying to indicate problem with traction system.