I have a 2003 Chevy Impala LS, with a 3.8L engine. I bought the car about six months ago and it is the first car I have ever owned with ABS/TCS. When I first bought it, the TCS would engage when I would turn corners sometimes, and I am assumed that would be considered normal operation. Lately however, the TCS has engaged more often than it should. There are several times when I can feel it engage, and the TCS light on the dashboard comes on. There are other times when I can feel the ABS kick in randomly. Now almost every time I drive after about 15 minutes the service traction system message pops up on the dashboard. If I turn the car off and turn it back on the message is gone, but it will turn back on the next time I drive it. To mitigate this, I tried turning off the TCS by pressing the TCS on/off switch, but I still feel the ABS kick in and it still sometimes gives me the service traction system message.
For this I would normally take it to a dealer but I am military stationed overseas. I have limited experience with fixing cars so I have no idea where to start to troubleshoot myself. Any ideas?