
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 (3,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Storage 4-3
Floor Console Storage
For vehicles with a second row
center console, open each area to
access the storage compartment
inside.
To access the upper storage area,
press the upper button (B) and lift
up. To access the lower storage
area, press the lower button (C) and
lift up. The top of the console can
be folded forward for increased
storage area. Lift up on the handle
on the rear of the console (A) and
pull forward.
{WARNING
Never open more than one of the
three latches at a time to help
avoid personal injury and damage
to the console.
Notice: Slide the front console
as far forward as it will go before
folding the second row console
forward to help prevent damage
to the consoles.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
4-4 Storage
Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Cover
For vehicles with a cargo cover, it
can be used to cover items in the
rear of the vehicle. To install the
cover, place the loops on each
corner of the cover on the four
hooks in the rear of the vehicle. The
cover should be stored securely
when not in use.
Cargo Tie-Downs
Four cargo tie‐downs are located in
the rear compartment of the vehicle.
The tie-downs can be used to
secure small loads.
Cargo Management
System
This vehicle has a cargo
management system located in
the rear.
To remove the cargo management
cover:
1. Open the cover. It remains openwhen lifted.
2. Pull the cover up making sure to unhook the hinges at the rear of
the cover.
{WARNING
An improperly latched and closed
cargo cover, or cargo cover left
in the open position, could be
thrown about the vehicle during
a crash or sudden maneuver.
Someone could be injured. Be
sure to return the cover to the
closed position and latch before
driving. If the cover is removed,
always store it outside of the
vehicle. When it is replaced,
always be sure that it is securely
reattached.
3. Remove the cover from the vehicle and store outside of the
vehicle.
Convenience Net
For vehicles with a convenience net
in the rear, use it to store small
loads as far forward as possible.
The net should not be used to store
heavy loads.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Storage 4-5
Roof Rack System
{WARNING
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack—like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress —the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
certified accessory carrier. For vehicles with a roof rack, the
rack can be used to load items.
For roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified
crossrails can be purchased as an
accessory. See your dealer for
additional information.
Notice:
Loading cargo on the
roof rack that weighs more than
91 kg (200 lbs) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may
damage the vehicle. Load cargo
so that it rests evenly between
the crossrails, making sure to
fasten cargo securely. To prevent damage or loss of cargo
when driving, check to make sure
crossrails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof
rack will make the vehicle’
s center
of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers;
otherwise it may result in loss of
control. If driving for a long distance,
on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place. Do not exceed the maximum
vehicle capacity when loading the
vehicle.
For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑10.

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 (5,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is located on the left side of the
steering column.
Turn the band with the wiper symbol
to control the windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Use for a single wiping
cycle.
9(Off): Use to turn the wipers off.
6(Adjustable Interval Wipes):
Delays wiping cycle. Turn the band
up for more frequent wipes or down
for less frequent wipes.
1 : Slow wipes.
2 : Fast wipes. Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced. See
Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 10‑25.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wipers. A circuit breaker stops them
until the motor cools.
Windshield Washer
J(Washer Fluid): Press the
button at the end of the turn signal/
lane change lever, to spray washer
fluid on the windshield. The wipers
clear the windshield and either stop
or return to the preset speed. The
ignition key must be in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN for this
to work. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑20.
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID is displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the
washer fluid is low. See Washer
Fluid Messages on page 5‑40.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The rear wiper and rear wash button
is located on the instrument panel
below the climate control system.
Z (Rear Wiper): Press to turn the
rear wiper on and off. The wiper
speed cannot be changed.
Y (Wash): Press to spray washer
fluid on the rear window. The
window wiper will also come on.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
5-8 Instruments and Controls
Clock
To adjust the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN, then
press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Gto display HR, MIN,
MM, DD, YYYY (hour, minute,
month, day, and year).
3. Press the pushbutton located under any one of the labels to
be changed.
4. To increase the time or date, do one of the following:
.Press the pushbutton below
the selected label.
.Press¨SEEK.
.Press\FWD.
.Turnfclockwise. 5. To decrease the time or date, do
one of the following:
.Press©SEEK.
.PresssREV.
.Turnfcounterclockwise.
To change the time default setting
from 12 hour to 24 hour or to
change the date default setting from
month/day/year to day/month/year:
1. Press
Gand then the
pushbutton located under the
forward arrow that displays on
the radio screen until the time
12H (hour) and 24H (hour), and
the date MM/DD (month and
day) and DD/MM (day and
month) display.
2. Press the pushbutton located under the desired option.
3. Press
Gagain to apply the
selected default, or let the
screen time out.
Power Outlets
The vehicle has 12‐volt outlets that
can be used to plug in electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone or
MP3 player.
The power outlets are located on
the instrument panel below the
climate controls, inside the center
floor console, at the rear of the
center console, and in the rear
cargo area. Lift the cover to access
the outlet and replace when not
in use.
{WARNING
Power is always supplied to the
outlets. Do not leave electrical
equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the
vehicle could catch fire and cause
injury or death.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
5-10 Instruments and Controls
The power outlet is not designed for
and may not work properly, if the
following are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peak
wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
.Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply
such as:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
See High Voltage Devices and
Wiring on page 10‑28.
Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Some warning lights come
on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working. Gauges can indicate when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Often gauges and warning
lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
and even dangerous.