
Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
5-24 Instruments and Controls The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization, and set/
reset buttons. The button functions
are detailed in the following pages.
3 (Trip/Fuel): Press this button
to display the odometer, trip
odometer, fuel range, average
economy, fuel used, and elapsed
time. Some vehicles also display
instantaneous economy. The
compass and outside temperature
will also be shown in the display.
The temperature will be shown
in °C or °F depending on the units
selected.
T (Vehicle Information): Press
this button to display the oil life, rear
park assist, units, tire pressure
readings and tire pressure sensor
learning for vehicles with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS),
compass zone setting, compass
recalibration on vehicles with this
feature, coolant temperature, and
battery voltage. U (Customization): Press this
button to customize the feature
settings on the vehicle. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5 ‑ 36 for
more information.
V (Set/Reset): Press this button to
set or reset certain functions and to
turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
3 (Trip/Fuel): Press this button
to scroll through the following menu
items:
Odometer
Press
3 until ODOMETER
displays. This display shows the
distance the vehicle has been
driven in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi). Pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will also
display the odometer.
To switch between metric and
English measurements, see “ Units ”
later in this section. Trip Odometer
Press
3 until TRIP A or TRIP B
displays. This display shows the
current distance traveled in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi) since
the last reset for the trip odometer.
Pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will also display the trip
odometer.
Each trip odometer can be reset to
zero separately by pressing
V while
the trip odometer is displayed. You
can also reset the trip odometer
while it is displayed by pressing and
holding the trip odometer
reset stem.
Fuel Range
Press
3 until RANGE displays.
This display shows the approximate
number of remaining kilometers (km)
or miles (mi) the vehicle can be
driven without refueling. This display
will show LOW if the fuel level
is low.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Instruments and Controls 5-31Acknowledging this message will
not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING
display. That must be done at the
OIL LIFE screen. See “ Oil Life ”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5 ‑ 23 and Engine Oil
Life System on page 10 ‑ 10 .
ENGINE OIL LOW — ADD OILOn some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 .
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure is
low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the
instrument cluster and/or DIC,
stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected. See Engine
Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 for more
information.
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as
engine damage can result from
driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages FUEL LEVEL LOW This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. See Fuel
Gauge on page 5 ‑ 10 and Filling the
Tank on page 9 ‑ 37 for more
information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP This message may display along
with the malfunction indicator lamp
on the instrument cluster if the
vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened
properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5 ‑ 14 . Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank
on page 9 ‑ 37 . The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Driving and Operating 9-41When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working. Driving on Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 .Parking on Hills
{ WARNINGParking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-8 Vehicle Care 4. Lift and remove the engine
cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1 – 4 to reinstall
the engine cover.
Engine Oil To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment: .
Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“ Selecting the Right Engine Oil ”
in this section. .
Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “ Checking
Engine Oil ” and “ When to Add
Engine Oil ” in this section..
Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10 ‑ 10 . .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “ What to Do with
Used Oil ” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 4 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutesfor the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading. { WARNINGThe engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN
(minimum) mark, add 1 L (1 qt) of
the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “ Selecting
the Right Engine Oil ” in this section
for an explanation of what kind of oil

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-9to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 12 ‑ 2 .
Notice: Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be
damaged. You should drain out
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 4 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through. Selecting the Right Engine Oil Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 12 .
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos1 ®
approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos1
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos1
specification. Notice: Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or
equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Check with your
dealer or service provider on
whether the oil is approved to the
dexos1 specification.
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W-30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such as
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, or 20W-50.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below − 29°C
( − 20°F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade,
always select an oil of the correct
specification. See “ Specification ”
earlier in this section for more
information.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-10 Vehicle Care Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the dexos
specification and displaying the
dexos certification mark are all that
is needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products. Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON or CHANGE ENGINE
OIL NOW message displays. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5 ‑ 30 .
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the oil as
soon as possible within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). If the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL NOW message
displays, change the oil as soon as
possible. It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-11since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Press the DIC vehicle
information button to display OIL
LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5 ‑ 23 and Engine
Oil Messages on page 5 ‑ 30 .
2. Press the DIC Set/Reset button
for five seconds to reset the oil
life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change. The oil life system can also be reset
as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the OIL LIFE REMAINING value is
not 100%, the system needs to be
reset again.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule on page 11 ‑ 3 , and be sure
to use the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 12 . Notice: Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 12 .
For the 2.4L L4 and 3.0L
V6 engines, the transmission fluid
will not reach the end of the dipstick
unless the transmission is at
operating temperature. If you need
to check the transmission fluid level,
please take the vehicle to your
dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 4 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-14 Vehicle Care If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is hot, do not do anything
else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be
between the MIN and MAX lines.
If it is not, you may have a leak at
the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{ WARNINGHeater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if the
engine cooling fan(s) is running. If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it is not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL ®
can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL ®
engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first, if only DEX-COOL
extended life coolant is added.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating, see Engine
Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 .
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant will: .
Give freezing protection down to
− 37°C ( − 34°F). .
Give boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F). .
Protect against rust and
corrosion. .
Help keep the proper engine
temperature. .
Let the warning lights and
gauges work as they should.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL ®
can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing