2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE tires

Seats and Restraint
System............................... 1-1
Head Restraints
.............. 1-2
Front Seats
.................... 1-3
Rear Seats
.................... 1-9
Safety Belts
..................1-14
Child Restraints
.............1-27
Airbag System
..............1-46
Restraint System
Check
......................1-59
Features and Controls...... 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-8
Windows
......................2-14
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-16
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
.............2-20
Mirrors
.........................2-31
Object Detection
Systems
...................2-36
OnStar
®System
............2-43Universal Home Remote
System
.....................2-47
Storage Areas
...............2-52
Sunroof
........................2-56
Instrument Panel............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 3-4
Climate Controls
............3-19
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............3-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............3-44
Audio System(s)
............3-73
Driving Your Vehicle......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
........... 4-1
Towing
........................4-21
Service and
Appearance Care............... 5-1
Service
.......................... 5-3
Fuel
.............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.................... 5-9Headlamp Aiming
..........5-33
Bulb Replacement
.........5-33
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
.............5-35
Tires
...........................5-36
Appearance Care
..........5-78
Vehicle Identication
......5-85
Electrical System
...........5-85
Capacities and
Specications
............5-92
Maintenance Schedule...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information
................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
.....................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
...............7-16
Index....................................i-1
2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner ManualM

Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add
to or change about the
vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working
properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle’s frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, front sensors, side
impact sensors, rollover
sensor module, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of
the airbag system.In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position,
which includes sensors that are
part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may
not operate properly if the original
seat trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an
aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere
with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the passenger
airbag(s). SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-53.If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are
in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in
this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on
page 7-1.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof-rail airbags, seeDifferent
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 5-52for additional
important information.
1-58 Seats and Restraint System

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

If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the
emission controls might not
work as well, the vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds, and restart the engine.
If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/
retailer for service as soon as
possible.
3-40 Instrument Panel

FRONT TIRES or REAR TIRES
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), the
pressure for each tire can be viewed
in the DIC. The tire pressure will be
shown in either pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press
the vehicle information button until
the DIC displays FRONT TIRES
PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##. Press
the vehicle information button again
until the DIC displays REAR TIRES
PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##.
If a low or high tire pressure
condition is detected by the system
while driving, a message advising
you to check the pressure in a
specic tire will appear in the display.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-42andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56for more
information.If the tire pressure display shows
dashes instead of a value, there
may be a problem with your vehicle.
If this consistently occurs, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
RELEARN REMOTE KEY
This display allows you to match
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitters to your vehicle.
This procedure will erase all
previously learned transmitters.
Therefore, they must be relearned
as additional transmitters.
To match an RKE transmitter to
your vehicle:
1. Press the vehicle information
button until PRESS
VTO
RELEARN REMOTE KEY
displays.
2. Press the set/reset button until
REMOTE KEY LEARNING
ACTIVE is displayed.3. Press and hold the lock and
unlock buttons on the rst
transmitter at the same time
for about 15 seconds.
On vehicles with memory
recall seats, the rst transmitter
learned will match driver 1
and the second will match
driver 2.
A chime will sound indicating
that the transmitter is matched.
4. To match additional transmitters
at this time, repeat Step 3.
Each vehicle can have a
maximum of eight transmitters
matched to it.
5. To exit the programming mode,
you must cycle the key to
LOCK/OFF.
Instrument Panel 3-47

BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system detects that the battery
voltage is dropping below expected
levels. The battery saver system
starts reducing certain features of
the vehicle that you may be able to
notice. At the point that the features
are disabled, this message is
displayed. It means that the vehicle
is trying to save the charge in the
battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories
to allow the battery to recharge.
The normal battery voltage
range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. SeeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-13for
information on how to reset the
message. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-11andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-3for
more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the pressure
in one or more of the vehicle’s tires
needs to be checked. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT
FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT
REAR to indicate which tire needs to
be checked. You can receive more
than one tire pressure message at
a time. To read the other messagesthat may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button or
the trip odometer reset stem. If a tire
pressure message appears on the
DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have
the tire pressures checked and set
to those shown on the Tire Loading
Information label. SeeTires on
page 5-36,Loading the Vehicle
on page 4-16, andInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-42. The DIC
also shows the tire pressure values.
See “DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)” earlier in this
section. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light
on page 3-39.
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays whenever
the cruise control is set. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9for more
information.
Instrument Panel 3-57

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

Keep vehicle tires properly
inated.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The rst
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt — SeeSafety Belts:
They Are for Everyone on page 1-14.
{CAUTION
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques could
save your life.
Drunk Driving
{CAUTION
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious — or even
fatal — collision if you drive after
drinking. Do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if
you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that
anyone needs to drive a vehicle:
judgment, muscular coordination,
vision, and attentiveness.
4-2 Driving Your Vehicle