
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter is used to
remotely lock and unlock the doors
from up to 60 m (195 ft) away from
the vehicle.
PressKto unlock the driver door.
Press
Kagain within five seconds
to unlock all remaining doors.
Press
Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized.
To open or close the liftgate, press
and hold
8until the liftgate
begins to move.
Press
Land release to locate the
vehicle. Press
Land hold for more than
two seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press
Lagain to cancel the panic
alarm.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Remote Vehicle Start
Starting the Vehicle
With this feature the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/until
the parking lamps flash.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Doors
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . 2-13
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-14
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-19
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
SeeVehicle Personalization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑40 for
additional information.
Pressing
Qmay arm the content
theft‐deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑13.
K(Unlock): Press once to unlock
only the driver door. If
Kis pressed
again within five seconds, all
remaining doors unlock. The interior
lamps come on and stay on for
20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the
parking lamps flash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑40.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the content theft‐deterrent
system. See Anti-theft Alarm
System on page 2‑13.
8(Power Liftgate): Press and
hold until the liftgate begins to move
to open or close the liftgate. The
taillamps flash and a chime sounds
to indicate when the liftgate is
opening or closing.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release to
locate the vehicle. The parking
lamps flash and the horn sounds
three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than
two seconds to activate the panic
alarm. The parking lamps flash and
the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is moved to
ON/RUN or
Lis pressed again.
The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF
for the panic alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter
is programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work
once the new transmitter is
programmed. Each vehicle can
have up to eight transmitters
programmed to it. See your dealer
to program transmitters to this
vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
Notice:
When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Without DIC Buttons) on page 5‑29
for more information.
With the power liftgate disabled and
all of the doors unlocked, the liftgate
can be manually opened and
closed.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad on the handle on the outside of
the liftgate and lift the gate open. To
close the liftgate, use the pull cup to
lower the liftgate and close. The
liftgate latch will power close.
Always close the liftgate before
driving.
If the RKE button or the power close
button on the liftgate is pressed
while power operation is disabled,
the lights will flash three times, but
the liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended that you
drive with the liftgate open.
However, if you must drive with the
liftgate open, the liftgate should be
set to manual operation by pressing
the OFF switch on the center
console.Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
On vehicles with an anti-theft alarm
system, to activate the system:
.PressQon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the
power door lock switch when
any door is open.
The security light flashes.
When the door is closed, the
security light stops flashing and
stays on solid for approximately
30 seconds. The content theft-deterrent alarm is not
armed until the security light
goes off.
If the delayed locking feature is
active, the alarm is not activated
until all doors are closed and the
security light goes off.
.PressQwhen the driver door
is closed. The security light
comes on solid for approximately
30 seconds and then goes off.
The content theft-deterrent alarm
is not armed until the security
light goes off.
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked with
the vehicle's key or the manual
door lock.
If a locked door is opened without
using the RKE transmitter, a
10-second pre-alarm occurs. The
horn chirps and the lights flash.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If the key is not placed in the
ignition and turned to START or the
door is not unlocked by pressing
Q
during the 10-second pre-alarm, the
alarm goes off. The headlamps flash
and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds, then turns off to save
the battery power.
The vehicle can be started with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has
been set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.Lock the vehicle with the door
key after the doors are closed.
.Unlock the door with the RKE
transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way sets off the alarm if
the system has been armed.
Press
Kor place the key in the
ignition and turn it to START to turn
off the alarm.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver side window, and open
the driver door.
2. Press
Q.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door, and wait for the security
light to go out.
4. Reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual
door lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should, but the headlamps flash,
check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑30.
If the alarm does not sound or the
headlamps do not flash, see your
dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned
to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If the PASS-Key III+ key is lost or
damaged, see your dealer or a
locksmith to have a new key made.
The SERVICE THEFT
DETERRENT SYSTEM message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when there is a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeAnti-theft Alarm
System Messages on page 5‑37
for additional information.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
Base Model
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Press
oorpto select a mirror.
2. Press the control pad to adjust the mirror.
3. Return the switch to the center to deselect the mirror.

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 (23,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem.
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system.
This light is also used to indicate the
status of the anti-theft alarm system
when the ignition is turned off. The
light will flash rapidly if the alarm
system is arming and one or more
of the monitored entry points is not
closed. The light will stay on if the
alarm is arming and all entry points
are closed. For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑13.
High-Beam On Light
The high-beam on light comes on
when the high-beam headlamps are
in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.