Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
9-6 Driving and Operating
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
9-16 Driving and Operating
3. Come to a complete stop, shiftto P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9-26
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY. ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):
This is
the position in which you can
operate some electrical accessories
or items plugged into the accessory
power outlets.
Use this position if the vehicle must
be pushed or towed.
ON (ON/RUN): This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position. If you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
positions with the engine off, the
battery could be drained. You may
not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time. START:
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/
OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
{Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
on page 9-47.
Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-25
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When 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 5-18. 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 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
you 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 may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
9-26 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The switch for the
EPB is in the center console. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is OFF. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid repeated
cycles of the EPB system when the
engine is not running.
The system has a parking brake
status light and a parking brake
warning light. SeeElectric Parking
Brake Light on page 5-17. There are
also several Driver Information Center (DIC) messages. See
Brake
System Messages on page 5-28. In
case of insufficient electrical power,
the EPB cannot be applied or
released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the parking brake status light to
insure the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
The EPB can be applied any time
the vehicle is stopped. The EPB is
applied by momentarily lifting up on
the EPB switch. Once fully applied,
the parking brake status light and
brake system warning light will be
on. While the brake is being applied,
the status light will flash until full
apply is reached. Once fully applied,
the DIC message PARK BRAKE
SET will be displayed. If the status
light does not come on, or remains
flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light on page 5-17. If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is in motion, a chime will
sound, and the DIC message
RELEASE PARK BRAKE SWITCH
will be displayed. The vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held in the up position. Releasing
the EPB switch during deceleration
will release the parking brake. If the
switch is held in the up position until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
If the parking brake status light
flashes continuously, the EPB is
only partially applied or released,
or there is a problem with the EPB.
The DIC message SERVICE
PARKING BRAKE will be displayed.
If this light flashes continuously,
release the EPB, and attempt to
apply it again. If this light continues
to flash, do not drive the vehicle.
See your dealer.
If the parking brake warning light is
on, the EPB has detected an error
in another system and is operating
with reduced functionality. To apply
the EPB when this light is on, lift up
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-27
on the EPB switch and hold it in the
up position. Full application of the
parking brake by the EPB system
may take a longer period of time
than normal when this light is on.
Continue to hold the switch until the
parking brake status light remains
on. If the parking brake warning light
is on, see your dealer.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB, place the
ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position, apply and hold
the brake pedal, and push down
momentarily on the EPB switch.
If you attempt to release the EPB
without the brake pedal applied, a
chime will sound, and the DIC
message STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE will be
displayed. The EPB is released
when the parking brake status light
is off.If the parking brake warning light is
on, the EPB has detected an error
in another system and is operating
with reduced functionality. To
release the EPB when this light is
on, push down on the EPB switch
and hold it in the down position.
EPB release may take a longer
period of time than normal when this
light is on. Continue to hold the
switch until the parking brake status
light is off. If the light is on, see your
dealer.{Caution
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
For maximum EPB force when
towing a trailer or parking on a hill,
pull the EPB switch twice. If you are
towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
see
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips on page 9-40.
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
9-28 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on
page 9-9 and“Turning the Systems
Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-29
Ifdcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the instrument panel.
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The
appropriate message displays in the
DIC. To turn TCS on again, press
and release the
gbutton. The
appropriate message displays in
the DIC.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the StabiliTrak Off light
gcomes on
and stays on in the instrument
cluster. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak
on again, press and release the
g
button. The StabiliTrak Off lightgin
the instrument cluster turns off. The
appropriate message displays in
the DIC.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-2.
Brake Pedal Override
This vehicle has this feature that
limits engine torque when the brake
pedal is applied. If there is one foot
on the brake pedal and the other
foot on the accelerator, the engine
rpm will only climb to slightly more
than idle speed.
This feature is enabled at vehicle
start. Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button
gto disable or
enable this feature and TCS. The
appropriate message will display on
the DIC. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5-32.
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Mexico-
7576028) - 2015 - First Edition - 3/21/14
9-30 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
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).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. 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.
If equipped with the StabiliTrak
®
feature, the system may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control on
page 9-28. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again,
cruise control can be turned
back on.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off.
E(On/Off): Press to turn the
cruise control on or off. The
indicator light on the button turns on
or off. RES+ (Resume/Accel):
If there is
a set speed in memory, move the
thumbwheel up briefly to resume
that speed or hold upward to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
−SET (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active,
use to decrease speed.
Setting Cruise Control
If the
Ebutton is on when not in
use, −SET or RES+ could get
bumped and go into cruise when not
desired. Keep the
Ebutton off
when cruise is not being used.
1. Press
Eto turn the cruise
system on. The indicator light on
the button comes on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down and release it.