2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE warning light

When the battery’s state of charge is
low, the voltage is raised slightly to
quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent
overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move
up or down. This is normal. If there is
a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles. This
is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at
idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on,
such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does
this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical
needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power,
whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur
in steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56.Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature helps prevent
the battery from being drained,
if the interior courtesy lamps,
reading/map lamps, visor vanity
lamps or trunk lamp are accidentally
left on. If any of these lamps are left
on, they automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off.
The lamps will not come back on
again until one of the following
occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The exterior lamps control is
turned off, then on again.
The headlamps will timeout after
10 minutes, if they are manually
turned on with the ignition on or off.
3-16 Instrument Panel

N(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press to manually change the
direction of the airow. Repeatedly
press the button until the desired
mode appears on the display.
H(Vent):Air is directed through
the overhead outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is directed
through the rear oor outlets, as
well as the overhead outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed through
the oor outlets. The rear system
oor outlets are located under
the third row seats.
Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
Warning lights and gages can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a problem with one
of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when
the engine is started to indicate they
are working.Gages can indicate when there may
be or is a problem with one of the
vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to
indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while driving,
or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the
section that explains what to do.
Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting
to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.
Your vehicle also has a Driver
Information Center (DIC) that works
along with the warning lights and
gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
3-30 Instrument Panel

Speedometer and
Odometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle’s speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers
per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far
the vehicle has been driven,
in either miles or kilometers.
This vehicle has a tamper-resistant
odometer. If the vehicle needs a new
odometer installed, the new one is
set to the mileage total of the old
odometer. If this is not possible, it is
set at zero and a label is put on the
driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was
installed. If the mileage is unknown,
the label should then indicate
“previous mileage unknown”.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the
engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
The driver safety belt reminder light
on the instrument panel cluster.
When the engine is started this light
and the chime come on and stay on
for several seconds to remind the
driver to fasten the safety belt.
The light also begins to ash.
This cycle repeats if the driver
remains unbuckled and the vehicle
is moving.
If the driver safety belt is already
buckled, neither the light nor chime
comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
When the engine is started this light
and the chime come on and stay on
for several seconds to remind the
passenger to fasten their safety belt.
The light also begins to ash.
This cycle repeats if the passenger
remains unbuckled and the vehicle is
moving.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor
the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn on
if an object is put on the seat such as
a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop or other electronic device.
To turn off the warning light and or
chime, remove the object from the
seat or buckle the safety belt.
3-32 Instrument Panel

When this light comes on, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also
displays the SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM message.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56for more information.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not running, but
the ignition is on, this gage displays
the battery voltage in DC volts.When the engine is running, the
gage shows the condition of the
charging system. The gage can
transition from a higher to lower
or a lower to higher reading.
This is normal. Readings between
the low and high warning zones
indicate the normal operating range.
The voltmeter gage can also read
lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal.
Readings in the low warning zone
can occur when a large number of
electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is
left idling for an extended period.
This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle.As engine speeds are increased,
this condition should correct itself
as higher engine speeds allow the
charging system to create maximum
power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a
short time with the reading in either
warning zone. If the vehicle must
be driven, turn off all unnecessary
accessories.
Readings in either warning zone
indicate a possible problem in
the electrical system. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
Instrument Panel 3-35

Brake System Warning
Light
This vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working.
If the warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light
on can lead to a crash. If the light
is still on after the vehicle has been
pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed
for service.
This light should come on briey
when the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to
warn if there is a problem.
This light can also come on due
to low brake uid. SeeBrakes
on page 5-25for more information.When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will also come
on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking
brake does not release fully. If it
stays on after the parking brake is
fully released, it means there is a
brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released. The pedal, might
be harder to push or, the pedal
can go closer to the oor. It could
take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-21.
United States
Canada
3-36 Instrument Panel

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn
if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on while
driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off.A chime may also sound when the
light comes on steady. Then start
the engine again to reset the system.
If the ABS light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not
antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-36.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56for all brake related
DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light comes on briey while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is
working normally the indicator
light goes off.
If it stays on, or comes on while
driving, there could be a problem
with the StabiliTrak system and the
vehicle might need service. When
this warning light is on, the system
is off and will not limit wheel spin.
Instrument Panel 3-37

This light ashes when the
StabiliTrak system is active.
If the StabiliTrak system warning
light comes on and stays on for
an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-5for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when
the engine has overheated.If this happens pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-22. The vehicle’s engine
could be damaged, and it might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature
warning light on.
This light also comes on briey
when starting the vehicle. If it does
not, see your dealer/retailer.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into the red area,
it means that the engine coolant
has overheated. If the vehicle has
been operated under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22for more information.
United StatesCanada
3-38 Instrument Panel

Tire Pressure Light
If the vehicle has a tire pressure
monitoring system, the tire pressure
light provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System. The light should
come on briey as the engine is
started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer.When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or
more of the tires are signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56for more information.
Stop and check the tires as soon
as it is safe to do so. If underinated,
inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-36for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there could be
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light ashes for
about a minute and stays on steady
for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. This sequence repeats with
every ignition cycle. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-43for more information.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light comes on when the
ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer.
Instrument Panel 3-39