Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
9-26 Driving and Operating
Manual Transmission
The vehicle may be equipped with a
five-speed or six-speed manual
transmission.
Notice:Do not rest your hand on
the shift lever while driving. The
pressure could cause premature
wear in the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Do not rest your foot on
the clutch pedal while driving or
while stopped. The pressure can
cause premature wear in the
clutch. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Shifting the vehicle
initially into any gear other than
1 (First) or R (Reverse) can
damage the clutch. Shift the
manual transmission in the
proper sequence, and time the
gear shifting with the accelerator
to avoid revving the engine and
damaging the clutch. 1 (First):
Press the clutch pedal
fully to the pedal stop and shift into
1 (First). Then slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
going less than 32 km/h (20 mph).
If you have come to a complete stop
and it is hard to shift into 1 (First),
put the shift lever in Neutral and let
up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into
1 (First).
2 (Second): Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and
6 (Sixth): Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth)
(if equipped) the same way as for
2 (Second). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:
Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R (Reverse): To engage reverse,
with the vehicle stationary, pull up
on the button on the selector lever
and engage the gear. If the gear
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
9-28 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑17. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
Driving and Operating 9-29
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5‑16.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the
release button in as you move the
brake lever all the way down. Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. After the driver
completely stops and holds the
vehicle in a complete standstill on a
grade, HSA will be automatically
activated.
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
9-30 Driving and Operating
During the transition period between
when the driver releases the brake
pedal and starts to accelerate to
drive off on a grade, HSA holds the
braking pressure to ensure that
there is no rolling. The brakes will
automatically release when the
accelerator pedal is applied within
the two-second window. It will not
activate if the vehicle is in a drive
gear and facing downhill, or if the
vehicle is facing uphill and in
R (Reverse).Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the
system operates if it senses that
one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s), and/or reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.
TCS is on whenever the vehicle is
started. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery roadconditions, the system should
always be left on. But, TCS can be
turned off if needed.
TCS/StabiliTrak Light
dflashes to indicate that the
traction control system is active.
If there is a problem detected with
TCS,
dcomes on and stays on, the
vehicle is safe to drive but the
system is not operational. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
Driving and Operating 9-31
Ifdstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
A chime may also sound when the
light comes on steady.
Notice: Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
TCS/StabiliTrak Button
gis on the center stack.
TCS Off Light
TCS can be turned off by pressing
and releasing
g. When TCS is
turned off,
icomes on and the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. Press and release
g
again to turn the system back on.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑9 for
more information. See also Winter
Driving on page 9‑7 for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy
or icy conditions.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS activates, cruise control will
automatically disengage. Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. See
Cruise Control on
page 9‑34.
Adding non-GM accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path, and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
9-32 Driving and Operating
StabiliTrak is on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist with directional control of the
vehicle, the system should always
be left on.
TCS/StabiliTrak Light
When the stability control system
activates,
dflashes on in the
instrument cluster. This also occurs
when traction control is activated.
A noise may be heard or vibration
may be felt in the brake pedal. This
is normal. Continue to steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak,
dcomes on and stays
on. The vehicle is safe to drive, but
the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
TCS/StabiliTrak Button
gis on the center stack.
StabiliTrak Off
LightTCS Off Light
StabiliTrak can be turned off if
needed by pressing and holding
g
untilgandicome on in the
instrument cluster. When StabiliTrak
is turned off, the system will not
assist with directional control of the
vehicle or limit wheel spin. TCS will
also be turned off. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. Press and
release
gagain to turn both
systems back on.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn
back on when the vehicle speed
exceeds 50 km/h (31 mph).
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
Driving and Operating 9-33
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, cruise control
will automatically disengage. Press
the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 9‑34.
Descent Control
System (DCS)
The Descent Control System (DCS)
allows the vehicle to travel at a low
speed without applying the brake.
The vehicle will automatically
decelerate to a low speed and
remain there when DCS is
turned on.
Use only when descending steep
grades while driving off-road. Do not
use when driving on normal road
surfaces.
Turn the system on by pressing the
DCS button located on the center
stack. The green DCS light comes
on steady in the instrument cluster
when the system is on.
The green DCS light flashes on the
instrument cluster while driving at
speeds below 35 km/h (22 mph) to
show the system is operating. DCS will not activate at speeds
above 35 km/h (22 mph), even if the
button is pressed.
Notice
.DCS is designed for driving
down steep off-road hills.
.Unnecessary use of DCS can
cause malfunctions in the
brake system or StabiliTrak.
.Some noise or vibration from
the brake system may be
heard or felt when DCS is
active. This is normal.
To turn the system off, press the
DCS button again and the DCS light
turns off. Applying the brake or
accelerator will also cause DCS to
turn off.
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 3/6/13
9-34 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
For vehicles with cruise control, the
vehicle can maintain a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below 40 km/h
(25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off.
If the vehicle's Traction Control
System (TCS) or StabiliTrak system
begins to limit wheel spin while
using cruise control, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑30 orStabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑31. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, the
cruise control can be turned
back on.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
1(On/Off): Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate):
Move the thumbwheel up to resume
a previously set speed or to
accelerate.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed or
to make the vehicle decelerate.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.