Many threads on this.

Pushing the button once turns traction OFF

Pushing twice in sucession turns on COMP MODE/LAUNCH CONTROL

HOLD down the button for roughly a 10 count turns ESC OFF.

Pushing the button again, turns the whole system back on.

 

You will never be able to turn ESC off completely, it is still there,
In some form, & function.
GM won't let it go away, totally.

 

I figured as much, just going by what the DIC says when pushing the button.

 

interesting I thought
by hitting the button twice was the way to go
is there any difference in pressing the button for 10 seconds
seems to be the same as hitting it twice???

 

Well the copy and paste didn't work right. Just look in the manual.

Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS)
The traction control system limits wheel spin. The system
turns on automatically every time the vehicle is started.
• To turn off traction control, press and release d on
the instrument panel. F illuminates and the
appropriate DIC message displays. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4-48.
• Press and release the button again to turn on traction
control.
For more information, see Traction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-9.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. The system turns on automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
• To turn off both traction control and Electronic
Stability Control, press and hold d until F
illuminates and the appropriate DIC message
displays. See DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 4-48.
• Press and release the button again to turn on both
systems.
For more information, see Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page

 

Basically, just hold the traction button until DIC says "ESC OFF". I always do this before burnout and it always works for me.

 

Just pressing once to turn traction off has always created nice clouds of smoke for me. It also seems to run a bit faster with traction off. Without slicks launc control is useless. stock tires cant hand the stall convertor