2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE traction control

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

The main components of the
instrument panel are listed here:
A.Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-6.Windshield
Wipers on page 3-7.
B.Instrument Panel Cluster on
page 3-31.
C.Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-125.
D.Instrument Panel Storage on
page 2-52.
E.Audio System(s) on page 3-73
orNavigation/Radio System on
page 3-103(If Equipped).
F.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-27.
G.Exterior Lamps on page 3-11.
Fog Lamps on page 3-13
(If Equipped).
H.Dome Lamp Override on
page 3-14.Instrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-13. Heated
Windshield Washer Button. See
Windshield Washer on page 3-8.
I.Cruise Control on page 3-9.
J.Tilt and Telescopic Steering
Wheel on page 3-6.K.Horn on page 3-5.
L.Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-44.
M.Climate Control System on
page 3-19orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 3-22.
N. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-28.
O.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-17.
P.Rear Window Wiper/Washer
on page 3-9. Traction Control
System (TCS) Disable Button.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-5.Tow/Haul Mode
on page 2-26(If Equipped).
Power Liftgate on page 2-11
(If Equipped).
Q.Heated Seats on page 1-5.
R.Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 3-5.
S. Passenger Air Bag Status
Indicator.
T.Glove Box on page 2-52.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
Hazard Warning Flasher:Press
this button located on the instrument
panel below the audio system, to
make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. This warns
others that you are having trouble.
Press again to turn the ashers off.
The turn signals do not work while
the hazard warning ashers are on.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols
on the steering wheel pad to sound
the horn.
Instrument Panel 3-5

Rear Window
Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper and rear wash
button is located on the instrument
panel below the climate control
system.
Z(Rear Wiper):Press to turn the
rear wiper on and off. The wiper
speed cannot be changed.
Y(Wash):Press to spray washer
uid on the rear window. The window
wiper will also come on. Release the
button when enough uid has been
sprayed on the window. The rear
wiper will run a few more cycles
after it is released. If the rear wiper
function was already on, prior to
pressing the wash button, it stays
on until the wiper button is pressed
again.
The rear window washer uses the
same uid that is in the windshield
washer reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-24.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more
can be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control is disengaged.
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.The cruise control buttons are
located on left side of the steering
wheel.
T(On/Off):Press to turn cruise
control on and off. The indicator
comes on when cruise control is on.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press
to make the vehicle accelerate or
resume to a previously set speed.
SET– :Press to set the speed or
make the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise
control.
Instrument Panel 3-9

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
TPMS is not working properly.
The tire pressure light also ashes
and then remains on during the
same ignition cycle. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 3-39.
Several conditions may cause this
message to appear. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-45for more information.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). When this message
is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See your dealer/retailer
for service. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-5for more information.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when
a non-emissions related malfunction
occurs. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible.
SPEED LIMITED TO
XXX MPH (KM/H)
This message displays when your
vehicle speed is limited to 80 mph
(128 km/h) because the vehicle
detects a problem in the speed
variable assist steering system.
Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
STARTING DISABLED
SERVICE THROTTLE
This message displays when your
vehicle’s throttle system is not
functioning properly. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content
theft-deterrent system has detected
a break-in attempt while you were
away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16for
more information.
Instrument Panel 3-63

TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument panel cluster if the
vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened
properly. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-39. Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-7. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed
should turn this light and
message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the TPMS
is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be re-learned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-48,Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-43,
andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-42for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-5for more
information. This message
clears itself after 10 seconds.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the transmission uid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
drive your vehicle with overheated
transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning
is displayed.
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the transmission uid in the
vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission uid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears when the uid
temperature reaches a safe level.
3-64 Instrument Panel

As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and let
antilock work. The antilock pump or
motor operating might be heard and
the brake pedal might be felt to
pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist
feature designed to assist the
driver in stopping or decreasing
vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.Minor brake pedal pulsations or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates
The Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has the StabiliTrak
system which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver
maintain directional control of the
vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start the vehicle and
begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-5

The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and
does not mean there is a problem
with the vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches
20 mph (32 km/h). In some cases, it
may take approximately two miles
(3.2 km) of driving before the system
initializes.
If the system fails to turn on or
activate, the StabiliTrak light along
with one of the following messages
will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF,
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,
SERVICE STABILITRAK. If these
conditions are observed, turn the
vehicle off, wait 15 seconds, and
then turn it back on again to reset the
system. If any of these messages still
appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the vehicle should
be taken in for service. For more
information on the DIC messages,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-44.The StabiliTrak light will ash on the
instrument panel cluster when the
system is both on and activated.
The system may be heard or
felt while it is working; this is normal.
The traction control disable button is
located on the instrument panel
below the climate controls.
The traction control part of
StabiliTrak can be turned off by
pressing and releasing the traction
control disable button.Traction control can be turned
on by pressing and releasing the
traction control disable button if not
automatically shut off for any other
reason.
When the traction control system is
turned off, the StabiliTrak light and
the appropriate traction control off
message will be displayed on the
DIC to warn the driver. The vehicle
will still have brake-traction control
when traction control is off, but will
not be able to use the engine speed
management system. See “Traction
Control Operation” next for more
information.
When the traction control system
has been turned off, system noises
may be heard and felt as a result
of the brake-traction control working.
It is recommended to leave
the system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock”
the vehicle to attempt to free it.
4-6 Driving Your Vehicle

It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high wheel
spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-16.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part
of the StabiliTrak system. Traction
control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine
speed management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is
enabled automatically when the
vehicle is started. It will activate
and the StabiliTrak light will ash
if it senses that any of the wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose
traction while driving. If traction
control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of
traction control will work. The engine
speed management will be disabled.In this mode, engine power is not
reduced automatically and the driven
wheels can spin more freely. This
can cause the brake-traction control
to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak, ABS and
brake warning lights and any
relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and
messages are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens, a
reduction in acceleration may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will ash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself
after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If the vehicle has this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels when
extra traction is needed. This is like
four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage
or disengage the axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7