
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-35
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such
as seat covers, seat heaters, and
seat massagers can affect how well
the passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that
you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑36 for more information
about modifications that can affect
how the system operates. A wet seat can affect the
performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:.The passenger sensing system
may turn off the passenger
airbag when liquid is soaked
into the seat. If this happens, the
off indicator will be lit, and the
airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel will also be lit.
.Liquid pooled on the seat that
has not soaked in may make it
more likely that the passenger
sensing system will turn on the
passenger airbag while a child
restraint or child occupant is on
the seat. If the passenger airbag
is turned on, the on indicator will
be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. See
Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑15 for
important safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
{WARNING
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-37
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system that
includes sensors as part of the front
outboard 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 3‑31. If the vehicle has roof‐rail airbags,
see
Different Size Tires and Wheels
on page 10‑51 for additional
information.
If your vehicle needs to be modified
because you have a disability and
you have questions about whether
the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you
have questions about whether the
airbag system will be affected if the
vehicle is modified for any other
reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance Offices
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑4 or
Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑5.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑15 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑25. See your dealer for
service.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
3-38 Seats and Restraints
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death.
To help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away.
See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑15 for more information.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle safety belts.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-57
WARNING (Continued)
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the
airbag is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 3‑31 for additional
information.
If the child restraint has the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) on page 3‑47 for how and
where to install the child restraint
using LATCH. If a child restraint is
secured using a safety belt and it
uses a top tether, see Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑47 for
top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
You will be using the lap-shoulder
belt to secure the child restraint in
this position. Follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal
airbag, the off indicator on
the passenger airbag status
indicator should light and stay
lit when the vehicle is started.
See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑16. 2. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of
the vehicle's safety belt through
or around the restraint. The child
restraint instructions will show
you how.
4. Push the latch plate into thebuckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-5
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-14
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-15
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-17
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-21
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . 5-21
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-22
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) . . . 5-24
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Without DIC
Buttons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-32
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-32
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-35
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-35
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-36
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-37
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-37
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-39
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . 5-40
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-40

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-3
To select preset or favorite radio
stations:
.Press and releasewand
c/xto go to the next or
previous radio station stored as
a preset or favorite.
To select tracks on a CD/DVD
(if equipped):
Press and release
wandc/x
to go to the next or previous track.
To select tracks on an iPod or USB
device for vehicles without a
navigation system:
1. Press and hold
wandc/x
while listening to a song until the
contents of the current folder
display on the radio display.
2. Press and release
wand
c/xto scroll up or down
the list, then press and hold ,
or press to play the highlighted
track. To select tracks on an iPod or USB
device for vehicles with a navigation
system:
1. Press and hold
wandc/x
while listening to a song listed in
the main audio page, to quickly
move forward or in reverse
through the tracks. See the
separate navigation manual for
more information.
Track information is displayed
on the screen. Release
wand
c/xwhen the desired track
is reached.
2. Press and release
wand
c/xto begin playing the
track shown in the display.
To navigate folders on an iPod or
USB device for vehicles without a
navigation system:
1. Press and hold
wandc/x
while listening to a song until the
contents of the current folder
display on the radio display. 2. Press and release
wand
c/xto go back to the
previous folder list.
3. Press and release
wand
c/xto scroll up or down
the list
.To select a folder, press
and hold
w, or press¨
when the folder is
highlighted.
.To go back further in the
folder list, press and
hold
c/x.
To navigate folders on an iPod or
USB device for vehicles with a
navigation system:
1. Go to the Music Navigator by first touching the center touch
screen folder button in the main
audio page.
2. While in Music Navigator, select the folder/artist/genre/category,
etc. using the touch screen.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
3. Press and releasec/xto
scroll through the selected music
list. Touch the track label on the
touch screen to highlight and
begin playing the track from
that list.
4. Press and hold
c/xto
quickly scroll through the
selected music list.
b/g(Mute/Push to Talk): Press
to silence the vehicle speakers only.
Press again to turn the sound on.
For vehicles with Bluetooth or
OnStar
®systems, press and hold
for longer than two seconds to
interact with those systems. See
Bluetooth on page 7‑46 andOnStar
Overview on page 14‑1 for more
information.
c/x(End): Press to reject an
incoming call, or end a current call. SRCE (Source/Voice
Recognition):
Press to switch
between the radio, CD, and for
equipped vehicles, DVD, front
auxiliary, and rear auxiliary.
For vehicles with the navigation
system, press and hold this button
for longer than one second to
initiate voice recognition. See “Voice
Recognition” in the navigation
manual for more information.
¨(Seek): Press to go to the
next radio station while in AM,
FM, or XM™.
For vehicles with or without a
navigation system:
Press
¨to go to the next track or
chapter while sourced to the CD or
DVD slot.
Press
¨to select a track or a folder
when navigating folders on an iPod
or USB device. For vehicles with a navigation
system:
1. Press and hold
¨until a beep is
heard to place the radio into
SCAN mode. A station will play
for five seconds before moving
to the next station.
2. To stop the SCAN function, press
¨again.
3. In CD/DVD, iPod, or AUX USB, press and hold to quickly move
forward through the tracks.
Release to stop on the desired
track.
+
eand −e(Volume): Press to
increase or to decrease the volume.
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel
pad to sound the horn.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
4. Press the trip/fuel button untilthe vehicle heading, for
example, N for North, is
displayed in the DIC.
5. If calibration is necessary, calibrate the compass. See
“Compass Calibration
Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually
calibrated. Only calibrate the
compass in a magnetically clean
and safe location, such as an open
parking lot, where driving the
vehicle in circles is not a danger.
It is suggested to calibrate away
from tall buildings, utility wires,
manhole covers, or other industrial
structures, if possible.
If CAL should ever appear in the
DIC display, the compass should be
calibrated. If the DIC display does not show a
heading, for example, N for North,
or the heading does not change
after making turns, there may be a
strong magnetic field interfering with
the compass. Such interference
may be caused by a magnetic CB
or cell phone antenna mount, a
magnetic emergency light, magnetic
note pad holder, or any other
magnetic item. Turn off the vehicle,
move the magnetic item, then turn
on the vehicle and calibrate the
compass.
To calibrate the compass, use the
following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass,
make sure the compass zone is
set to the variance zone in which
the vehicle is located. See
“Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure” earlier in this
section. Do not operate any switches
such as window, sunroof,
climate controls, seats, etc.
during the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS
VTO
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays.
3. Press the set/reset button to start the compass calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in
tight circles at less than 8 km/h
(5 mph) to complete the
calibration. The DIC will display
CALIBRATION COMPLETE
for a few seconds when the
calibration is complete. The DIC
display will then return to the
previous menu.