[h8ten]

Friday night on the way home we had quite a blizzard and this was the first time that I had experienced snow in the Ampera. The roads were very bad and I was basically crawling along at about 25 - 30. Being a new car and the first time in snow it was time to try a couple of experiments whilst it was safe. The road was clear of other traffic, I was travelling in a straight line and I applied the brakes sufficient to expect the ABS to kick in. It sounded to me as though the wheels locked as opposed to ABS kicking in and there was no 'pulsing' through the brake pedal as I would have expected but what I did get on the 'Vehicle Messages' display was 'Low Traction' and no other warning lights. Trying to accelerate just brought on the Traction Control and/or Stability Control warning light. I have searched the handbook and cannot find this 'Low Traction' message. It could be several months before I can check it again.

 

[Duncan]

You get the low traction message any time you lose traction while braking. I had it today when I went over a drainhole cover in the road while regen braking. In my 2012 Volt manual the message is described on page 5-44:

Ride Control System Messages
LOW TRACTION
This message displays when the Antilock Brake System (ABS) is active and is working to assist the driver with control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.

 

[h8ten]

@Duncan, thanks, nothing in my manual about the text though all I am supposed to get ESC/TC light flashing yellow. As far as I can recall the ESC/TC only came on when I was trying to accelerate and induced wheelspin. I have seen it regularly on a couple of corners where the surface is rough. I will need to try this experiment again when we have icy conditions to check the ABS.

 

[Duncan]

The Traction Control System is when the car limits wheel spin due to loss of traction when accelerating by reducing power. The Low Traction message indicates the Anti-lock system is limiting wheel spin by releasing the brakes. So if you had seen the traction control light when braking there would have been something badly wrong.

BTW, if you want to compare, you can look at my manual.