2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE engine overheat

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
276 Vehicle Care
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0351
ii.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark or
the FULL COLD ISO symbol mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant at the coolant recovery tank,
but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done. See Engine
Overheating 0278
ii.
The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it. When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at or above the
FULL COLD mark or the FULL
COLD ISO symbol mark on the
recovery tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL
COLD mark or the FULL COLD ISO
symbol mark. If the coolant is below
the FULL COLD mark or the FULL
COLD ISO symbol mark when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak
in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{Warning
You 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.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Vehicle Care 277
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
If recovery tank is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiator before
adding coolant to the recovery tank
or take the vehicle to the dealer for
service. See “How to Add Coolant to
the Radiator” later in this section.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the
coolant recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator, but
be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. Then check the
recovery tank and add coolant if
needed.
1. Detach the fasteners and lift off the panel that covers the
radiator cap.
2. Remove the radiator pressurecap when the cooling system,
including the upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one
full turn.
If a hiss is heard, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left in the
system.
3. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
4. Fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck with the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
278 Vehicle Care
5. Fill the coolant recovery tank tothe FULL COLD mark or to the
FULL COLD ISO symbol mark. 6. Reinstall the cap on the coolant
recovery tank but leave the
radiator pressure cap off.
7. Start the engine and let it run until the upper radiator hose
feels warm. Any time during
this procedure, watch out for
the engine cooling fans.
8. If the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck is low, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixture through the
filler neck until the level is back
up to the base of the filler neck.
9. Replace the pressure cap tightly. At any time during this
procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall the pressure cap.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
0119
ii.
The vehicle may also display an
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE and ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Engine Cooling
System Messages 0138
ii.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
0 361
ii.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Vehicle Care 279
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode 0280
ii
for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off
and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode 0280
ii
for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.
Climbs a long hill on a hot day. .
Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
280 Vehicle Care
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets
the vehicle be driven to a safe place
in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, there is a significant loss
in power and engine performance.
The temperature gauge indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Caution
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0269
ii.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
under the engine cover on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0268
iifor reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. See Engine Cover 0269
ii.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
4. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
6. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the
dipstick.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/19/15
384 Index
Driving (cont'd)If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 222
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 289
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 268
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Engine (cont'd)
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Cooling System Messages . . . 138
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 233
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 369
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 156
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 158
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 273
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heated and Cooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/19/15
Index 387
Messages (cont'd)Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Object Detection System . . . . . 140
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 142
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Mirrors Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Mirrors (cont'd)
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 46
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185, 190
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
N
Navigation OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 226
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 272
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 83
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 360
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 OnStar System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
OnStar
®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 373
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Operating Mode Overheated Engine
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Operation Infotainment System . . . . . 167, 169
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 366
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . 280
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 167
P
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46