Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Extending Engine Run Time
To extend the engine run time by
10 minutes, repeat Steps 1–2 while
the engine is still running. An
extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting. The
engine run time can only be
extended if it is the first remote start
since the vehicle has been driven.
Remote start can be extended
one time.
If the remote start procedure is used
again before the first 10-minute time
frame has ended, the first
10 minutes will immediately expire
and the second 10-minute time
frame will start.
For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle has
been running for five minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing the
engine to run for a total of
15 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or
remote start attempts are allowed
between ignition cycles. After the vehicle's engine has been
started two times using the remote
start button, the ignition must be
turned on and then back off before
the remote start procedure can be
used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To manually shut off a remote start:
.
Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the ignition switch on and
then off.
Conditions in Which the
Remote Start Will Not Work
The vehicle cannot be started using
the remote start feature if the key is
in the ignition, the hood is open,
or there is an emission control
system malfunction.
The engine turns off during a remote
start if the coolant temperature gets
too high or if the oil pressure
gets low.
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
. Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a
door is locked, the handle
will not open it. The chance
of being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are
not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
. Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by
extreme heat and can suffer
permanent injuries or even
(Continued)
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 107
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 108
Steering Wheel Controls(Radio without
Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Steering Wheel Controls (Radio with Touchscreen) . . . 109
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 110
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 110
Rear Window Wiper/ Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Clock (Radio without Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Clock (Radio with Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 120
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 121
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 122
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 123
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 126
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 126
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . 126
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 127
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 128
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 129
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . 134
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Brake System Messages . . . . . 137
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 137
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 139
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 139
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 140
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 140
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Airbag System Messages . . . . 142
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 143
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 119
Here are some situations that may
occur with the fuel gauge. None of
these indicate a problem with the
fuel gauge.
.At the gas station, the gas pump
shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge might have indicated the
tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than
half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
. The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
. The gauge does not go back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the gauge
pointer moves into the red area, it
means that the engine coolant has
overheated. If the vehicle has been
operated under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0278
iifor
more information.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 127
This light flashes while the
StabiliTrak system or the Traction
Control System (TCS) is working.
The light comes on when there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak system.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0239
ii.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, the vehicle may have
a problem with the cooling system. Stop and turn off the vehicle to
avoid damage to the engine.
A warning chime sounds when this
light is on.
See
Engine Overheating 0278
iifor
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 0143
ii.
Stop as soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Tire Pressure
0 303
ii.
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 0305
ii.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
(Continued)
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
138 Instruments and Controls
HOOD OPEN
On some models, this message
displays and a chime sounds if the
hood is not fully closed. Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the hood
for obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the driver side rear door is
not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
LIFTGATE OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the liftgate is open while
the ignition is in ON/RUN. Turn off
the vehicle and check the liftgate.
Restart the vehicle and check for
the message on the DIC display.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the passenger door is not
fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
POWER LIFTGATE OFF
This message displays when the
power liftgate has been turned off
by pressing the power liftgate button
on the center stack.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the passenger side rear
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
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.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0119
ii. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive your
vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0119
ii.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 139
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode 0280iifor
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when
service is required for the vehicle.
See your dealer. See Engine Oil
0 269
iiand Maintenance Schedule
0 342ii. Acknowledging the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will
not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
See
“Oil Life” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) (With DIC
Buttons) 0129
iior Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons)
0 134
iiand Engine Oil Life System
0 272ii.
ENGINE OIL LOW —ADD OIL
On 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 0269
ii.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument cluster. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light 0127
ii.
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 and a chime
sounds when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. See
Engine Overheating
0278
iifor
further information.
This message also 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 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.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Driving and Operating 229
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
repeat these steps. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below 0 °F (−18 °C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater
should be plugged in at least four
hours before starting. Some models
may have an internal thermostat in
the cord which will prevent engine
coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0 °F (−18 °C).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The bundled
cord is located on the driver
side of the engine
compartment, between the
engine air cleaner and the
windshield washer fluid
reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0268
ii.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued)