Newb Off-roading for the first time

[baboon]

Hey guys, I just got a new H3 Hummer a week ago. Before that I've never driven any 4x4 or truck or SUV - my last car was actually a Chevy Malibu, so its a bit of a change.

Anyway, I went off-roading today for the first time - was fun and a bit scary for a newb like me. After about 15 minutes or so, I started getting an error message saying something like, "Traction Failed; Service 4x4" and the orange light that is next to the 4x4 button was off, and if I tried turning it on it would only flash for a few seconds and then go off again. I went back on the road immediately, and shortly after to a car wash. The whole way the error message kept continuing. After washing the car and turning it back on, the error message mysteriously disappeared and the light by the 4x4 button turned back on.

Is this normal? Anyone have any ideas what would have caused this? I'm a bit wary of going off-roading again before figuring out what happened.

Thanks.