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stuck in the mud thanks to stabilitrak

14K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  HITTHEBEACH 
#1 · (Edited)
So long story short I found myself in a hay field when the ground frost had thawed out, not smart, but I thought the frost was still in the ground about 1-2 inches deep with just a film of mud on top. I needed to get to a storage shed to unload some things. I got unloaded and turning around the mud got me, it's gloppy tire clinging mud and I'm about 6 inches buried. Not dragging axles or running boards yet thankfully. Turns out the ground frost is about 6-8 inches down so that kept me from really burying it deep.

I put the truck in 4lo and as expected the TC and Stabilitrak lights come on indicating that both are turned off (I gently rock it back and forth to make sure I got a positive shift) I should be able to spin the wheels to clean out the tread and move forward - in theory right? I apply a generous amount of throttle and the stabilitrak light blinks and I hear the brakes apply with that noise ABS tends to make and wheels don't spin fast enough to clear the tread of mud. I do this a bunch of times back and forth and I can't get the tires to spin like I need so the tread won't clear, the squiggly line stabilitrak light blinks and I go no where.

I hold the stabilitrak button for a long press, the lights are already on though so it doesn't do anything, thought I'd try right..... I try to spin the tires and again the stabilitrack thwarts my attempt to throw mud.

I thought about 4 hi, but I don't want to smoke the transmission, left it in 4lo.

I rock it back on some hay tossed in my rut and try to lunge forward, no go. I keep getting a soft start, slow wheel spin and again stabilitrak keeps me firmly stuck in the mud.

I'm getting ready to start yanking fuses. I rock back again and try to get a forward lunge by applying full throttle, it works some, I get a pathetic lunge but then the wheels spin, the stabilitrak tries to work but I think I'm smoking the brakes or simply overwhelming stabilitrak, it slows down but then speeds up again with about 6k rpm. I'm tossing mud a long ways but I have to use full throttle. I rock back for another attempt and use full throttle again and same thing. 3 or 4 episodes of full throttle lunges and I claw my way to firm ground.


Is there anyway to disable all traction control stuff? Most of the time I like having it, but when you find yourself in gloppy mud when you need to clear the tread it really works against you.
It's also a misconception that holding that TC button down for a long press turns everything off because it doesn't. It also doesn't turn everything off in 4lo even though both lights come on.
 
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#3 ·
Holding down the TC button for ~10 seconds does turn it all off. Possible you weren't holding it long enough?

I've done it in the snow with it all turned off, plenty of whee spin and revs.
 
#5 · (Edited)
It can be very frustrating when your vehicle overrides your commands.

I'm glad you were able to get unstuck.

I'm curious to hear of solutions to the problem.

I just watched the video posted. The installed toggle switch looks like it works really well on the Sierra.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
I had the same issue with my H2. Couldn't climb sandy hills. And in deep snow you would just get going good and then it would fall on its face when traction control kicked in. When I had a custom tune done I had the traction control completely disabled. Much better now!

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#7 ·
I had the same issue with my H2. Couldn't climb sandy hills. And in deep snow you would just get going good and then it would fall on its face when traction control kicked in.
That sounds embarrassing. I can see why you got a custom tune.

The wheel spin on my 2008 Canyon is only limited by the horsepower. I have enjoyed the benefits of that a number of times off road.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
#11 ·
On my truck 1 time driving home from work in the snow turning off Stabilitrak didn't work. It would still kick in if you tried to slide around, But every other time I tuned it off it hasn't kicked in till you get around 35mph.
 
#12 ·
My understanding and from playing with it:

Press button once, TC lights up to show Traction Control is off.

Hold button ~10 secs, and TC light goes off, then both the TC light and the squiggly lines under a vehicle lights up, to show that Stabilitrack is off. Go faster than 35 MPH and Stabiltrack light goes off, and is re-engaged.

Ok, here is one for you. If you turn off Stabiltrack, go out in the middle of a snow covered parking lot and start spinning your tires, does Stabiltack re-engage when the tires spin above 35 MPH even if you are just sitting still as tires spin? I betcha some of you have turned Stabiltrack back on by doing that...
 
#13 ·
Another related question: I have the auto locking rear with 2WD -- how does that affect traction, say in snow or on a slimy boat ramp? Should I leave the TC "on" to allow the tires to both grip?
 
#15 ·
I believe the G80 rear ends functionality is purely mechanical. Turning off TC won't have any effect on its operation.
Correct! It is more likely that the TC could reduce engine power to prevent the G80 from engaging, I guess, although I haven't seen that as an issue. My G80 has engaged many times.
 
#17 ·
Correct! It is more likely that the TC could reduce engine power to prevent the G80 from engaging, I guess, although I haven't seen that as an issue. My G80 has engaged many times.
Going up my driveway the other day covered in packed snow/ice, felt the rear slipping and the locker engage before TC did much. Got right up after that
So not sure how leaving TC on really affects the locker. Wasn't trying to spin or anything then, just going up the driveway in reverse with these crap fortitudes.
Thanks gentlemen! I appreciate your feedback and info. Now if I can just get a weekend day when the wind isn't blowing 35-40mph and get the boat out!
 
#16 ·
Going up my driveway the other day covered in packed snow/ice, felt the rear slipping and the locker engage before TC did much. Got right up after that
So not sure how leaving TC on really affects the locker. Wasn't trying to spin or anything then, just going up the driveway in reverse with these crap fortitudes

As far as stabilitrak reengaging at 35mph, I'm not sure. I couldn't say how fast the wheels where spinning when having fun in the snow but I could lay on the throttle and have fun without it ever catching me up or anything.
 
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