Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 4/1/16
Driving and Operating 259
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0279.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0344.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine
Overheating 0279.
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Vehicle Care 265
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 266
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 266
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 273
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 274
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 279
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 281
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Battery - North America . . . . . . 284
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 285
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 286
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 287Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 289
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Electrical System Overload . . . 290
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 291
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 299
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 315
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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270 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.See Jump Starting - North
America 0326.
2. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0291.
3. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0275.
4. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap. See Cooling System 0275.
5. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0326.
6. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover).
See Power Steering
Fluid 0281.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0270.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0270.
9. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0275.
10. Engine Cover 0270. 11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0283.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0282.
13. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0274.
Engine Cover
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1). 2. Raise the engine cover (2) to
release it from the retainers.
3. Lift and remove the engine cover.
4. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0273.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 275
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Air Duct Clamp
2. Electrical Connector
3. Screws
1. Loosen the air duct clamp (1).
2. Disconnect the electricalconnector (2).
3. Remove the screws (3) and lift the cover assembly.
4. Inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter. 5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall
the housing cover and
reconnect the electrical
connector to the sensor.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Radiator Pressure Cap
(Under Sight Shield)
2. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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276 Vehicle Care
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. See Maintenance Schedule
0 344 andRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0353.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0279.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 277
.Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
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
Lubricants 0353.
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 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 0279.
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 ISO symbol mark on
the recovery tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL
COLD ISO symbol mark. If the
coolant is below 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.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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278 Vehicle Care
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.
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,
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.
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Vehicle Care 279
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.
5. Fill the coolant recovery tank tothe 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 0120.
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 0139.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance
Program 0363.
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