Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
208 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with this
system.
1. Driver and Passenger SideTemperature Controls
2. Air Delivery Mode Controls
3. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature)
4. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
5. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
6. A/C (Air Conditioning)
7. Recirculation
8. Fan Control 9. Rear Window Defogger
10. Defrost
Display Function
Each time the temperature, mode,
or fan controls are adjusted, the
climate control display shows that
function along with the inside
temperature setting. The outside
temperature is displayed on the
instrument cluster.
(: Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to turn the climate
control system on or off.
The climate control system will also
turn on if the defrost, AUTO, or air
conditioning buttons are pressed.
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation in
order to heat or cool the vehicle to
the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions
operate automatically. Each function
can also be manually set and the
setting is displayed. Functions not
manually set will continue to be
automatically controlled, even if the
AUTO indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation:
1. Press AUTO.
When AUTO is selected, the
current temperature(s) is
displayed and the AUTO
indicator light is on.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
Climate Controls 211
inside the vehicle. This mode also
helps to reduce the outside air and
odors that may enter the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defog, or defrosting
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. While in
recirculation mode the windows can
fog when the weather is cold and
damp. To clear the fog, select either
the defog or defrost mode and
increase the fan speed.
REAR :Press to turn the rear
heating and air conditioning on or
off. See Rear Climate Control
System 0212 orRear Climate
Control System (with Rear Seat
Audio) 0213.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
R
1:Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that the rear window defogger is on. Do
not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
The defogger only works when the
vehicle is in ON/RUN. The defogger
will turn off if the vehicle is
turned off.
If equipped with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared from the surface of the
mirror when the rear window defog
button is pressed.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window can damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not clear the inside
rear window with sharp objects.
Sensors
The solar sensor in the defrost grille
in the middle of the instrument
panel, monitors the solar heat. Do
not cover the solar sensor or the
system will not work properly.
The interior temperature sensor, on
the instrument panel to the right of
the steering column, measures the
temperature of the air inside the
vehicle.
There is also an exterior
temperature sensor behind the front
grille. This sensor reads the outside
air temperature and helps maintain
the temperature inside the vehicle.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 4/1/16
Driving and Operating 221
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0297.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission. .
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line. .
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0240.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 4/1/16
Driving and Operating 231
{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)
Warning (Continued)
it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
. While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition key is turned off:
. Audio System
. Power Windows
. Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to the windows and sunroof
will work up to 10 minutes or until a
door is opened.
The radio continues to work for
10 minutes or until the driver door is
opened.
For an additional 10 minutes of
operation, close all the doors and
turn the key to ON/RUN and then
back to LOCK/OFF.
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.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
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-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
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.