Stabilitrak on all GM passenger trucks?

Anyone want to speculate on the exclusion of cars from the mix?

As time goes by, I'm keeping an eye on possible vehicles where I can add as many safety features as my budget allows. I don't see myself owning a truck, unless I opened a business or something like that.

-d ...who almost picked up a LW two years back.

Reply to
Here and Kickin'
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Greetings,

The prime reason for Stabilitrak (and similar anti-roll enhancements) is because trucks and SUV's have a higher center of gravity than traditional passenger cars. A higher center of gravity makes a vehicle more prone to rollover, whereas a low center of gravity (like a sedan) makes the vehicle less prone. The primary causes of vehicle rollover in sedans and coupes is outside forces or interference (an impact with something external) or when the wheels lose contact with the ground, which stabilitrak won't help with.

There are some passenger vehicles that have a pretty wide height to width ratio (taller and narrower) where stabilitrak might come into play in the future (e.g. - Chevy HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, Suzuki Aerio, etc.), but they are still pretty low to the ground as compared to the more traditional trucks and SUV's.

If you are interested in passenger cars with safety features, then look into vehicles that have traction control because stabilitrak just isn't needed on these types of vehicles.

Cheers - Jonathan

Reply to
Jonathan

I don't think your reasoning is correct. Sedans had stabilitrak (Cadillac) long before SUV's did. And it's not just for "rollover". It's quite useful in keeping the vehicle on an even keel when performing emergency type manuevers. I've driven numerous stabilitrak vehicles, both winter and summer weather, and the difference between having the stabilitrak on or off is very noticable. As in.....you are unable to induce a spin when the stabilitrak is on, even in slippery winter weather.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

How does the Stabilitrak compare to Pontiac's Enhanced Traction Control? I'm anxiously awaiting a Grand Prix with all the safety features (side curtain airbags, 2 types of TC, etc) and am curious to see how it'll handle snow this winter.

Reply to
Mike Levy

Mike, I'm not sure what Pontiac's version is like, but I would bet big money that it's identical, just a different name. GM likes to do that sort of thing.

I've taken Seville's and Devilles out and thrown them around in the snow.....I think you will be amazed if it's anything like the Cadillac system. Mind you, there is a time and place where you want full control of the car.....on the Caddy's you can at least turn it off. It would be very irritating if you couldn't turn the system off.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

Thanks, I heard from my salesman that there's no new info on the car since we last talked last week. It should be sequenced for build by now, possibly even to be built this week (hopeful maybe). Today is just about 3 weeks since I ordered it, it's 3 weeks until the "projected delivery date" as the dealer has in the system. If it takes a week or 2 from completion to get the car to the lot, build should be soon. I'm gettin' antsy for the car, sold my truck the week I ordered the car since I had others available to drive.

Thread hijack off now...

Reply to
Mike Levy

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