Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-10
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-17
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-19
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-24
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-25
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Taillamps, Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and
Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-28
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
10-26 Vehicle Care
3. Install the new wiper blade andmake sure the wiper blade locks
into place.
For the proper size and type see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑13.
Backglass Wiper Blade
To replace the backglass wiper
blade:
1. Pull the wiper blade assembly away from the backglass.
The backglass wiper blade will
not lock in a vertical position so
care should be used when
pulling it away from the vehicle.
2. Rotate the wiper blade assembly, hold the wiper arm in
position, and push the blade
away from the wiper arm.
3. Replace the wiper blade.
4. Return the wiper arm and blade assembly to the rest position on
the glass.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers flash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended that
you take the vehicle to your dealer
for service.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, see Replacement Bulbs on
page 10‑28.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and
Stoplamps
A. Sidemarker Lamp
B. Taillamp
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-29
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed. This
greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road
and a fuse needs to be replaced,
the same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have
the headlamp wiring checked right
away if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
10-32 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
ECM 1 Engine Control
Module 1
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2
EVEN COILS Even Injector Coils
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
FSCM Fuel System
Control Module
HORN Horn
HTD MIR Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror
HUMIDITY/ MAF Humidity Sensor/
MAF Sensor
HVAC BLWR Heating, Ventilation
and Air
Conditioning
Blower Fuses
Usage
LT HI BEAM Left High-Beam
Headlamp
LT LO BEAM Left Low‐Beam
Headlamp
LT PRK Left Parking Lamp
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal
ODD COILS Odd Injector Coils
PCM IGN Powertrain Control
Module Ignition
PWR L/GATE Power Liftgate PWR
OUTLET Power Outlet
REAR
CAMERA Rear Vision
Camera
RR APO Rear Accessory
Power Outlet
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger Fuses
Usage
RR HVAC Rear Climate
Control System
RT HI BEAM Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
RT LO BEAM Right Low‐Beam
Headlamp
RT PRK Right
Parking Lamp
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal
RVC SNSR Regulated Voltage
Control Sensor
S/ROOF/
SUNSHADE Sunroof
SERVICE Service Repair SPARE SpareSTOP
LAMPS
(China Only) Stoplamps
(China Only)
STRTR Starter
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-33
FusesUsage
TCM Transmission
Control Module
TRANS Transmission TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back‐up
Lamps
TRLR BRK Trailer Brake TRLR
PRK LAMP Trailer Parking
Lamps
TRLR PWR Trailer Power
WPR/WSW Windshield Wiper/
Washer
Relays Usage
A/C
CMPRSR CLTCH Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
Vacuum Pump
CRNK Switched Power FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1 Relays
Usage
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FAN 3 Cooling Fan 3
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
HI BEAM High‐Beam
Headlamps
HID/
LO BEAM High Intensity
Discharge (HID)
Low‐Beam
Headlamps
HORN Horn IGN Ignition Main
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp
PRK LAMP Parking Lamp PWR/TRN Powertrain
RR DEFOG Rear Window
Defogger
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp Relays
Usage
Stop Lamps
(China Only) Stop Lamps
(China Only)
TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back-up
Lamps
WPR Windshield Wiper
WPR HI Windshield Wiper
High Speed
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
located under the instrument panel
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. Pull down on the cover to
access the fuse block.
Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
10-54 Vehicle Care
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.Notice:
The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire
or tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑55 for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and
road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi‐point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi‐point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money, fuel, and
can reduce the risk of tire failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the
right tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
i-2 INDEX
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-25
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-46
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-28
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and
Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7 Cargo
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Management System . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-2
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-17
Check
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
IgnitionTransmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-25
Child Restraints
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54, 3-56
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30