Page 241 of 454
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Rear Climate Control System (Rear Climate
Control Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Rear Climate Control System (Rear Climate with Rear Seat
Audio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Air Conditioning
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Recirculation
G. Rear Window Defogger9(Off): Turn the fan control all the
way counterclockwise to turn the
front climate control system off.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed.
Page 242 of 454

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
8-2 Climate Controls
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature of the air flowing from
the system.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.
By positioning the right knob
between two modes, a combination
of those two modes is selected.
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected
while in floor mode.
-(Defog):
This clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
When this mode is selected, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning unless the
outside temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). Recirculation cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
0(Defrost): This clears the
windshield of fog or frost, more
quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some to the floor vents. In this
mode, outside air is pulled inside
the vehicle. Recirculation cannot be
selected while in the defrost mode.
The air conditioning system runs
automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on
when A/C is on. The air conditioning
system does not operate when the
outside temperature is below
4°C (40°F). The indicator light
flashes three times and turns off
when outside conditions affect
air conditioning operation.
This is normal.
For quicker cool down on hot days:
1. Open the windows to let hot air escape.
2. Select
Hmode.
3. Select
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
6. Close the windows after the hot air has escaped.
7. Once the vehicle's interior temperature is below the outside
temperature, select
@mode
for faster cooling.
Page 243 of 454

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-3
Using recirculation for long periods
of time could cause the air inside of
the vehicle to become too dry. To
prevent this from happening, after
the inside of the vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
@(Recirculation):Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on when
recirculation is on. When the engine
is turned off, the recirculation mode
automatically turns off and must be
re‐selected when the engine is
turned on again.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle. The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defrost, or defogging
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. The air
conditioning also comes on when
this mode is activated unless the
outside air temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). While in recirculation
mode the windows can fog when
the weather is cold and damp. To
clear the fog, select either the defog
or defrost mode and increase the
fan speed.
REAR (Rear Climate Control):
Press to turn the rear heating
and air conditioning on or off.
See
Rear Climate Control System
(Rear Climate Control Only)
on
page 8‑10or Rear Climate Control
System (Rear Climate with Rear
Seat Audio) on page 8‑11.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The rear window
defogger stays on for about
10 minutes, before automatically
turning off. The defogger will also
turn off when the engine is
turned off.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared from the surface of the
mirror when
Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Page 244 of 454

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO
C. Defrost
D. Recirculation
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Driver Side Temperature Control
H. DisplayI. Power (On/Off)
J. Rear Window Defogger
K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS (Passenger)
M. Passenger Side Temperature
Control Display Function
Each time the temperature, mode,
or fan control buttons are pressed,
the climate control display shows
that function along with the inside
temperature setting. The outside
temperature is displayed on the
instrument panel cluster.
O(On/Off):
Press to turn the
climate control system on or off.
While the system is off, outside air
still enters through the floor outlets,
but the air delivery mode can
be adjusted.
The climate control system will also
turn on if either the fan control,
defrost, AUTO, or air conditioning
buttons are pressed.
Page 245 of 454

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):The system
automatically controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery, and
the fan speed.
To use automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the
current temperature(s) selected
and AUTO is shown on the
display. The current air delivery
mode and fan speed also
appear for approximately
five seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air
conditioning and air inlet are
automatically controlled. The air
conditioning runs when the
outside temperature is over
4°C (40°F). The system is
automatically set to outside air, unless it is hot outside and
then the air inlet changes to
recirculation mode to help
quickly cool the vehicle. The
recirculation indicator light will
come on.
2. Set the temperature for the driver and passenger.
To find a comfortable setting,
start with a 22°C (73°F)
temperature setting and allow
about 20 minutes for the system
to regulate. Use the driver's side
or passenger side temperature
buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as
necessary. The system will
remain at the selected setting.
Choosing the warmest or
coolest temperatures does not
cause the vehicle to heat or
cool more quickly. To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system delays
turning on the fan until warm air
is available. Press the fan
control to override this delay and
select the fan speed.
Temperature Control
The driver and passenger side
temperature buttons are used to
adjust the temperature of the air
coming through the system. The
temperature can be adjusted even
if the system is turned off since
outside air still enters the vehicle,
unless the recirculation mode is
selected. See “Recirculation” later
in this section.
Page 246 of 454

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
8-6 Climate Controls
Driver Side Temperature
Control:Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the driver
side temperature. The driver side
temperature display will show the
temperature setting.
Passenger Side Temperature
Control: Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the
passenger side temperature.
The passenger side display will
show the temperature setting.
PASS (Passenger): Press to set
the passenger temperature to match
the driver temperature setting. The
PASS indicator will turn off. When
the passenger temperature setting
is different than the driver setting,
the PASS indicator comes on.Manual Operation
The air delivery mode or fan speed
can be manually adjusted.
D/C(Fan Control): Press to
increase or decrease the fan speed.
Pressing
DorCwhile in automatic
control places the fan speed under
manual control.
The air delivery mode remains in
automatic control. The fan setting
still displays, but the word AUTO no
longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H/G(Air Delivery Mode
Control): Press to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press
HorGuntil the
desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing a mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning the
system on. Press a mode button
while in automatic control to place
the system into manual control. The air delivery mode setting still
displays, but the word AUTO no
longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system
uses outside air.
Page 247 of 454

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
-(Defog):This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
When this mode is selected, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is
less than 4°C (40°F). Do not drive
the vehicle until all the windows
are clear.
0(Defrost): Press to turn the
defrost on or off. This mode quickly
clears the windshield of fog or frost.
Air is directed to the windshield,
side window, and floor vents. In this
mode, outside air is pulled inside
the vehicle. The air conditioning
system runs automatically in
this setting, unless the outside
temperature is less than 4°C (40°F). Do not drive the vehicle until all
the windows are clear.
While in defrost mode, if the
PASS button is pressed, the
PASS button indicator flashes
three times to show that the
passenger climate control system
cannot be activated. If the
passenger temperature buttons are
adjusted while in defrost mode, the
driver temperature indicator will
change. The passenger temperature
will not be displayed.
When returning to bi-level, vent,
or floor mode, the previous
temperature settings displays in
place of any change made while in
defrost mode.
Air Conditioning
#(Air Conditioning):
Press to
turn the air conditioning (A/C) on
and off. An indicator light comes on
when A/C is on.
The A/C does not work when the
outside temperature is below
4°C (40°F). If
#is pressed the
indicator flashes three times and
turns off to show that the A/C mode
is not available. If the A/C is on and
the outside temperature drops
below a temperature which is too
cool for air conditioning to be
effective, the A/C indicator turns off
to show that the A/C mode has
been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows
briefly to let hot inside air escape.
This helps reduce the time it takes
for the interior of the vehicle to
cool down.
Page 248 of 454

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
@(Recirculation):Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on when
recirculation is on. When the engine
is turned off, the recirculation mode
automatically turns off and must be
re‐selected when the engine is
turned on again.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defog, or defrosting
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. The air
conditioning compressor also comes
on when this mode is activated. While in recirculation mode the
windows can fog when the weather
is cold and damp. To clear the fog,
select either the defog or defrost
mode and increase the fan speed.
REAR:
Press to turn the rear
heating and air conditioning on or
off. See Rear Climate Control
System (Rear Climate Control Only)
on page 8‑10or Rear Climate
Control System (Rear Climate with
Rear Seat Audio) on page 8‑11.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The rear window
defogger stays on for about
10 minutes, before turning off.
The defogger also turns off when
the engine is turned off. Do not drive
the vehicle until all the windows
are clear. For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared from the surface of the
mirror when the rear window defog
button is pressed.
Notice:
Do not use a razor blade
or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid
lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.