GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some action may be needed by the driver to correct the condition. Multiple messages may appear one after another. Some messages may not require immediate action, but you can press the set/reset button to acknowledge that you received the message and clear it from the DIC display. Pressing any of the DIC buttons will also acknowledge and clear any messages. Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC display because they are more urgent. These messages require action before they can be cleared. You should take any messages that appear on the display seriously and remember that clearing the messages will only make the messages disappear, not correct the problem. The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them.

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL OFF

This message will display when the automatic headlamps are turned off. See Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic Headlamp System for more information.

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL ON

This message will display when the automatic headlamps are turned on. See Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic Headlamp System for more information.

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON

This message will display when service is required for the vehicle. See your GM dealer. See Engine Oil and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

Acknowledging the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING. That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen under the vehicle information menu. See "Oil Life" under DIC Operation and Displays and Engine Oil Life System .

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system, this message will display when the tire pressure in one of the tires needs to be checked. This message will also display LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to be checked. You can receive more than one tire pressure message at a time. To read the other messages that may have been sent at the same time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to those shown on your Tire Loading Information Label. See Tires , Loading the Vehicle , and Inflation - Tire Pressure . The DIC display also shows the tire pressure values for the front and rear tires by pressing the vehicle information button. See DIC Operation and Displays . If the tire pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light will come on. See Tire Pressure Light .

DRIVER DOOR OPEN

This message will display when the driver's door is not closed properly. When this message appears, you should make sure that the driver's door is closed completely.

ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning) OFF

This message will display when the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically turned off. When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the A/C operation will automatically resume. You can continue to drive your vehicle. If this message continues to appear, have the system repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid compressor damage.

ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL

This message will display when the vehicle's engine oil is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as soon as possible. See Engine Compartment Overview for the engine oil fill location. Also, see Engine Oil for information on the kind of oil to use and the proper oil level.

ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If an overheat warning appears on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above normal idling speed. See Engine Overheating for more information.

This message will display when the engine coolant temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle until it cools down.

ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If an overheat warning appears on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above normal idling speed. See Engine Overheating for more information.

This message will display along with a continuous chime when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe engine damage. See Engine Overheating .

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED

This message will display when the vehicle's engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to your GM dealer for service as soon as possible.

ERROR

This message will display while viewing the odometer or trip odometers if there is a problem with the instrument panel cluster. See your GM dealer for service.

FUEL LEVEL LOW

This message will display when your vehicle is low on fuel. You should refill the fuel tank as soon as possible. See Fuel Gage and Filling the Tank for more information.

HOOD OPEN

If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this message will display when the hood is not closed properly. When this message appears, you should make sure that the hood is closed completely. See Hood Release .

ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE

This message will display when the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.

OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See Engine Oil for more information.

This message will display when the vehicle's engine oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light will also appear on the instrument panel cluster. See Oil Pressure Light .

Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible when this message is displayed.

PASSENGER DOOR OPEN

This message will display when the passenger's door is not closed properly. When this message appears, you should make sure that the passenger's door is closed completely.

REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE

This message will display while you are matching a remote keyless entry transmitter to your vehicle. See "Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation and DIC Operation and Displays for more information.

REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY

This message will display when the battery in the remote keyless entry transmitter needs to be replaced. To replace the battery, see "Battery Replacement" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation .

SERVICE A/C (Air Conditioning) SYSTEM

This message will display when the electronic sensors that control the air conditioning and heating systems are no longer working. Have the climate control system serviced by your GM dealer if you notice a drop in heating and air conditioning efficiency.

SERVICE AIR BAG

This message will display when there is a problem with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer immediately. See Airbag Readiness Light for more information.

SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM

This message will display when there is a problem with the generator and battery charging systems. Driving with this problem could drain your battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system checked by your GM dealer immediately.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

This message will display when service is required on the brake system. Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible. The brake system warning light will also appear on the instrument panel cluster when this message appears on the DIC. See Brake System Warning Light .

SERVICE POWER STEERING

This message will display when a problem is detected with the power steering system. When this message is displayed, you may notice that the effort required to steer the vehicle increases or feels heavier, but you will still be able to steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer immediately.

SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM

This message will display when there is a problem with the theft-deterrent system programmed in the key. A fault has been detected in the system which means that the system is disabled and it is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you may want to take the vehicle to your GM dealer before turning off the engine. See PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation for more information.

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM

If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system, this message will display if a part on the system is not working properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the four sensors are missing or inoperable, the warning will come on in about 10 minutes. A sensor would be missing, for example, if you put different wheels on your vehicle without transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPM. See your GM dealer.

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL

If your vehicle has the traction control system, this message will display when the system is not functioning properly. A warning light will also appear on the instrument panel cluster. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information. Have the traction control system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.

SERVICE TRANSMISSION

This message will display when there is a problem with the transaxle. See your GM dealer for service.

SERVICE VEHICLE SOON

This message will display when a non-emissions related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.

STARTING DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE

This message will display if the starting of the engine is disabled due to the electronic throttle control system. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer immediately.

This message will only appear while the ignition is in RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is resolved.

This message cannot be acknowledged.

THEFT ATTEMPTED

This message will display if the content theft-deterrent system has detected a break-in attempt while you were away from your vehicle. See Content Theft-Deterrent for more information.

TIGHTEN GAS CAP

This message may be displayed if the gas cap is not on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure that it is on properly. See Filling the Tank for more information.

TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE

If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system, this message will display when the system is re-learning the tire positions. See Tire Pressure Monitor System . The tire positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor. See Tire Inspection and Rotation and Inflation - Tire Pressure for more information.

TRACTION CONTROL OFF

If your vehicle has the traction control system, this message will display when the traction control system turns off. See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.

This message will only display while the ignition is in RUN and will disappear after 10 seconds, unless it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.

Any of the following conditions may cause the traction control system to turn off:

    • The traction control system is turned off by pressing the traction control button. See Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.
    • The battery is low.
    • There is a traction control system failure. See your GM dealer for service.

TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE

This message will display when the transaxle fluid in your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it to idle until it cools down. If the warning message continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.

TRUNK OPEN

This message will display when the trunk is not closed completely. You should make sure that the trunk is closed completely. See Trunk .

TURN SIGNAL ON

This message will display as a reminder to turn off the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on. See Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever .

This message displays and a chime sounds only when the ignition is in RUN. The message will not disappear until the turn signal is manually turned off, or a turn is completed.

WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID

This message will display when the windshield washer fluid is low. Fill the windshield washer reservoir as soon as possible. See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the windshield washer reservoir. Also, see Windshield Washer Fluid for more information.