Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Seats and Restraints 81
passenger airbag while a child
restraint or child occupant is on
the seat. If the passenger airbag
is turned on, the on indicator will
be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0121
iifor important
safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on an
unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information 0366
ii.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing
any parts of the front seats, safety
belts, airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling or pillar garnish trim,
overhead console, front sensors,
side impact sensors, airbag wiring,
or the front center console if the
vehicle has a front center airbag.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system that
includes sensors as part of the front
outboard passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 115
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included with
the equipment. SeeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment 0263
ii.
Caution
Hanging heavy equipment from
the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. The power
outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such
as cell phone charge cords.
Power Outlet 110V/120V
Alternating Current
If equipped with this power outlet it
can be used to plug in electrical
equipment that uses a maximum
limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is on the rear of
the center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turns
on to show it is in use. The light
comes on when the ignition is in
ON/RUN, equipment requiring less
than 150 watts is plugged into the
outlet, and no system fault is
detected.
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or
if the equipment is not fully seated
into the outlet.
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts or a system
fault is detected, a protection circuit
shuts off the power supply and the
indicator light turns off. To reset the
circuit, unplug the item and plug it
back in or turn the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) off and
then back on. See
Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0230
ii. The
power restarts when equipment
using 150 watts or less is plugged
into the outlet and a system fault is
not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for
and may not work properly, if the
following are plugged in:
. Equipment with high initial peak
wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
. Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply
such as:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
. Medical equipment.
See High Voltage Devices and
Wiring 0289
ii.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Instruments and Controls 121
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind passengers to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle continues several times if
the passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is
moving.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off the
reminder light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), the passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System
0 71
ii.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
See Airbag System Messages
0 142
ii.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System 077
iifor important
safety information. The instrument
panel has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
262 Driving and Operating
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Always leave just enough slack so
the rig can turn. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 450 kg (1,000 lb) needs to have
its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not try to tap into the
vehicle's hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems will
not work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a
seven-pin connector, is located at
the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
. Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
. Brown: Taillamps
. Black: Ground
. Light Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Black: Battery Feed
. Dark Blue: Trailer Brake* *The fuse for this circuit is installed
in the underhood electrical center,
but the wires are not connected.
They should be connected by your
dealer or a qualified service center.
If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.
To help charge a remote
(non-vehicle) battery, press the Tow/
Haul Mode button at the end of the
shift lever. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul Mode, turn on the
headlamps to help charge the
battery.
Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
instrument panel contains blunt cut
wires above the parking brake
assembly for the electric trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.
Red/Black: Power Supply
. White: Brake Switch Signal
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
264 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 265
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 265
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 272
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 273
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 278
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 280
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Battery - North America . . . . . . 283
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 284
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 285
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 285Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 288
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Electrical System Overload . . . 289
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 289
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 314
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159264) - 2016 - crc - 8/17/15
Vehicle Care 289
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring
{Warning
Exposure to high voltage can
cause shock, burns, and even
death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering or labels. Do not
probe, tamper with, cut, or modify
high voltage cable or wiring.
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed. This
greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road and
a fuse needs to be replaced, the
same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle
are protected from short circuits by
a combination of fuses, circuit
breakers and fusible thermal links.
This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 385
Fuel (cont'd)Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Requirements, California . . . . . 253
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 289
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 341
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
H
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 158
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Delayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 128
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 156
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Heated and Cooled Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 204 High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 220
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 239
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 46
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 391
Turn and Lane-ChangeSignals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 312
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 152Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 354
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . 145
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Care Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . 289
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
W
Warning
Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lane Departure (LDW) . . . . . . . 250
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance . . 314
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . 88
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Windshield
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . 285
Wipers
Rear Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Wiring, High Voltage Devices . . . 289