Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Traverse Owner ManualM
Driving and Operating. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-14
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-22
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-28
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-33
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-51
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26 Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-14 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-17
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
t:Traction Control/StabiliTrak
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
1-12 In Brief
Folding Mirrors
For vehicles with manual folding
mirrors, push the mirror toward the
vehicle. Pull the mirror out to return
to its original position.
For vehicles with power folding
mirrors:
1. Press (A) to fold the mirrors outto the driving position.
2. Press (B) to fold the mirrors in to the folded position.
See Folding Mirrors on page 2‑17.
Interior Mirror
The automatic dimming rearview
mirror reduces the glare from other
vehicle headlamps. Each time the
vehicle is started, the dimming
feature comes on.
SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑19.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever (A) down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Push the lever (A) up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
1-14 In Brief
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel.
O:Turns the automatic light
control on or off.
AUTO: Automatic operation of the
headlamps at normal brightness and
other exterior lamps.
;: Manual operation of the
parking lamps and other exterior
lamps.
5: Manual operation of the
headlamps and other exterior
lamps.
For more information, see:
.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System on
page 6‑3.
.Delayed Headlamps on
page 6‑3.
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: Use for a single wiping cycle.
9:Use to turn the wipers off.
6:Delays wiping cycle. Turn the
band up for more frequent wipes or
down for less frequent wipes.
1 : Slow wipes.
2 : Fast wipes.
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 (19,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-19
vehicle. Check the blind spot
mirror for a vehicle in the blind
zone. Then, glance over your
shoulder to double check
before moving slowly into the
adjacent lane.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has the memory
package, the outside mirrors have
a park tilt feature. This feature tilts
the outside mirrors to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse). This allows the driver
to view the curb for parallel parking.
The passenger and/or driver mirror
returns to its original position
when the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse), or the ignition is turned
off or to OFF/LOCK.
This feature can be turned on or
off through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeVehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑40 for more information.
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror
for a clear view of the area behind
your vehicle. To avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind, move the
lever to the right for nighttime use
and to the center for daytime use.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
control buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information about
OnStar and how to subscribe to it.
SeeOnStar Overview on page 14‑1.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator
light illuminates each time the
ignition is turned to start.
O(On/Off): Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off.
The vehicle may also have a
Rear Vision Camera (RVC). See
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) on
page 9‑34 for more information.
If the vehicle has a RVC,
the
Obutton for turning the
dimming feature on or off will
not be available.
Vehicles with OnStar have
three additional control buttons
for the OnStar system. See OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
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.
Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2012
5-36 Instruments and Controls
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low. The battery needs to
be replaced in the transmitter. See
“Battery Replacement”under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned off.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned on.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on for
1.2 km (0.75 mi). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off
position.
Object Detection System
Messages
PARK ASST (Assist)
BLOCKED SEE OWNERS
MANUAL
This message displays if there is
something interfering with the park
assist system. See Ultrasonic
Parking Assist on page 9‑33 for
more information.
PARK ASSIST OFF
After the vehicle has been started,
this message displays to remind the
driver that the URPA system has
been turned off. Press the set/reset
button or the trip odometer reset
stem to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.
For more information see
Ultrasonic
Parking Assist on page 9‑33.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system. Do
not use this system to help you
park. See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑33 for more information.
See your dealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is
a problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. If this message appears, try
to reset the system. Stop; turn off
the engine for at least 15 seconds;
then start the engine again. If this
message still comes on, it means
there is a problem. See your dealer
for service. The vehicle is safe to