2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE tow

If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the
engine can get a little too hot when
the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.3. If in a traffic jam, shift to
N (Neutral), otherwise, shift
to the highest gear while
driving —D (Drive) or L (Low).
If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays,
the vehicle can be driven. Continue
to drive the vehicle slow for about
10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the car in front of you.
If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated
Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets
the vehicle be driven to a safe place
in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates ring groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a signicant loss in
power and engine performance.
The temperature gage indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir
is located toward the front of the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or you hear an unusual
noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering
uid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
4. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
5. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.
6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the uid level on the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere
between MAX and MIN line on the
dipstick in room temperature. If the
uid is on or below MIN line, you
should add uid close to MAX Line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield
washer uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating in
an area where the temperature may
fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against
freezing.
5-24 Service and Appearance Care

Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-50andWheel
Replacement on page 5-54.
When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
If the vehicle has a compact
spare tire, do not include it in
the tire rotation.After the tires have been rotated,
adjust the front and rear ination
pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-42andLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-16.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 5-45.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 5-92.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or
on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you
can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to
use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the
rust or dirt off. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-65.
Make sure the spare tire, if
the vehicle has one, is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. See
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-74.
Service and Appearance Care 5-49

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain the tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-36. If air goes out of
a tire, It is much more likely to leak
out slowly. But if you should ever
have a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you
would use in a skid. In any rearblowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking
brake rmly and put the shift
lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a at tire.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant and
compressor kit. To use the jack and
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-65. To use the tire sealant
and compressor kit, seeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 5-57.
5-56 Service and Appearance Care

Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
The tools needed to remove the
spare tire are located in the storage
compartment on the driver side,
at the rear of the vehicle.
1. Open the jack storage
compartment by pulling on the
latch tab, located toward the rear
of the vehicle, and pulling the
cover off.
A. Tool Bag
B. Wing Bolt
C. Jack2. Remove the wing bolt (B) by
turning it counterclockwise
3. Push the jack (C) up out of the
holding bracket.
4. Turn the jack on its side, with the
bottom facing toward you.
5. Pull the jack straight out, bottom
rst.
The tools you will be using include
the jack (A) and lug wrench (B).
Removing the Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is located
under the vehicle, in front of the rear
bumper. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-77for more information
about the compact spare.
A. Rear Convenience Center
B. Lug Wrench
C. Storage Compartment Cap Hole
D. Hoist Shaft
E. Compact Spare Tire
F. Retainer
G. Hoist Shaft Assembly
5-66 Service and Appearance Care

9. Remove the plastic spare tire
heat shield by pulling the rubber
latch. Store the plastic spare
tire heat shield. SeeStoring
a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on
page 5-74for more information.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire on page 5-65.
{CAUTION
Never use oil or grease on
bolts or nuts because the nuts
might come loose. The vehicle’s
wheel could fall off, causing a
crash.
10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces, and
spare wheel.
11. Place the spare tire on the
wheel mounting surface.
5-70 Service and Appearance Care

12. Put the nuts on by hand by
turning the clockwise until
the wheel is held against the
mounting surface. Make sure
the rounded end is toward
the wheel.
13. Lower the vehicle by attaching
the lug wrench to the jack
and turning the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower
the jack completely.
{CAUTION
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specication
after replacing. Follow the torque
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
specication supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-92for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specications.
Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specication. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 5-92for the wheel nut torque
specication.14. Tighten the wheel nuts rmly in
a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t
on your vehicle’s compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
Service and Appearance Care 5-71

Secondary Latch System
This vehicle has an underbody
mounted tire hoist assembly that
has a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the compact spare
tire from suddenly falling off the
vehicle if the cable holding the spare
tire is damaged. For the secondary
latch to work, the tire must be stowed
with the valve stem pointing down.
SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-74for instructions
on storing the spare tire correctly.
{CAUTION
Before beginning this procedure
read all the instructions. Failure to
read and follow the instructions
could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get
hurt. Read and follow the
instructions listed next.To release the spare tire from the
secondary latch:
{CAUTION
Someone standing too close
during the procedure could be
injured by the jack. If the spare
tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is
behind you or on either side of
you as you pull the jack out from
under the spare.
1. If the cable is not visible,
start this procedure at
Step 3.2. Turn the lug wrench
counterclockwise until
approximately 6 inches (15 cm)
of cable is exposed.
3. Attach the lug wrench to the jack
and raise the jack at least
10 turns.
4. Place the jack under the vehicle,
ahead of the rear bumper.
Position the center lift point of
the jack under the center of
the spare tire. All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle shown
5-72 Service and Appearance Care