
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
5-20 Instruments and Controls
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light The engine coolant temperature
light should come on briefly as the
engine is started. If it does not come
on have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
Notice: The engine coolant
temperature warning light
indicates that the vehicle has
overheated. Driving with this light
on can damage the engine and it
may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Engine
Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 .
If this light comes on and stays on,
the engine has overheated. Pull
over and see Engine Overheating
on page 10 ‑ 18 for more information. Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. See Tire Messages on
page 5 ‑ 34 . Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. See
Tire Pressure on page 10 ‑ 43 . When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10 ‑ 46 .
Fuel Economy Light
For vehicles with the fuel economy
mode, this light comes on when the
eco (economy) button, located on
the center console near the shift
lever, is pressed. Press the button
again to turn off the light and exit
the fuel economy mode.
See Fuel Economy Mode on
page 9 ‑ 23 for more information.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
5-30 Instruments and Controls
Engine Cooling System
Messages ENGINE HOT A/C (Air
Conditioning) OFF This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning
compressor is automatically turned
off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can
continue to drive the vehicle.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument cluster
and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase
the engine speed above normal idling speed. See Engine
Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 for
more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument cluster
and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase
the engine speed above normal
idling speed. See Engine
Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 for
more information.
This message displays along with a
continuous chime when the engine
has overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid
severe engine damage. See Engine
Overheating on page 10 ‑ 18 .Engine Oil Messages CHANGE ENGINE OIL NOW This message displays when
service is urgently required. This
indicates that the oil life remaining is
less than one percent and the oil
cannot work correctly to avoid
engine wear or damage. See your
dealer. See Engine Oil on page 10 ‑ 8
and Maintenance Schedule on
page 11 ‑ 3 .
Acknowledging 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 .
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when oil life
remaining is between one and
five percent and service is required
for the vehicle. See your dealer. See
Engine Oil on page 10 ‑ 8 and
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11 ‑ 3 .

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Transmission Messages CHANGE TRANSMISSION
FLUID 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 .
This message displays when the life
of the transmission fluid has expired
and it should be changed. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11 ‑ 3 and Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 12
for the proper fluid and change
intervals.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer for service. TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE Notice: Do not drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument cluster and/or
DIC, or the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty.
This message displays along with a
chime if the transmission fluid in the
vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission fluid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool. This
message clears and the chime
stops when the fluid temperature
reaches a safe level. Vehicle Reminder
Messages ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold
enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
TURN SIGNAL ON This message displays and a chime
sounds as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal if you drive the vehicle
for more than about 1.2 km
(0.75 mile) with a turn signal on.
See Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6 ‑ 3 for more information.

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 (42,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
9-42 Driving and Operating 4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you: .
Start the engine. .
Shift into a gear. .
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11 ‑ 3 . Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 10 ‑ 18 .
Trailer Towing Three important considerations
have to do with weight: .
The weight of the trailer .
The weight of the trailer tongue .
The total weight on the vehicle's
tires Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See “ Weight of
the Trailer Tongue ” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-10
Automatic Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-18
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-19
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-23
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-24
Wiper Blade
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Bulb Replacement Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-29
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-29 Electrical System Electrical System
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Wheels and Tires Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-38
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49

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

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 11/12/12
10-16 Vehicle Care
{ WARNINGTurning the surge tank pressure
cap when the engine and radiator
are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and
burn you badly. Never turn the
surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be between
the MIN and MAX lines.
Adding Coolant
If more coolant is needed, add the
proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture
at the coolant surge tank, but only
when the engine is cool. See below
for instructions on “ How to Add
Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank. ”{ WARNINGYou can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap,
make sure it is hand-tight and fully
seated.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If a problem yet has not been found,
check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
between the MIN and MAX lines,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before doing it.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10 ‑ 18 for more information.
{ WARNINGSteam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.