Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key, key rings, and RKE
transmitter, if equipped, are
designed to work together. As a
system, it reduces the risk of
unintentionally moving the key out
of the RUN position. If replacements
or additions are required, see your
dealer. Limit added items to a few
essential keys or small, light items
no larger than an RKE transmitter.
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
The key is used for the ignition and
all door locks.
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer or qualified locksmith
can use to make new keys. Store
this information in a safe place, not
in the vehicle.
If it becomes difficult to turn the key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
72 Seats and Restraints
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
. A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and for the second and third row
passengers seated directly
behind the driver.
. A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
second and third row
passengers seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbag:
. A front center airbag for the
driver and front outboard
passenger. All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For the front center airbag, the word
AIRBAG is on the inboard side of
the driver seatback.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
See
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? 075.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
Seats and Restraints 73
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear a safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The safety belts and
the front outboard passenger
airbags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet
on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the front center
armrest or console in vehicles
with a front center airbag.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 084 or
Infants and Young Children 085.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster, which
shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0122.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
Seats and Restraints 75
Warning (Continued)
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat or console
accessories that block the
inflation path of a seat-mounted
side impact airbag or the front
center airbag, if equipped.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie-down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 072.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the impact exceeds the specific airbag
system's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to
predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has
advanced technology frontal
airbags. Advanced technology
frontal airbags adjust the restraint
according to crash severity.
The front center airbag, if equipped,
is designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending
upon the location of the impact,
when either side of the vehicle is
struck. In addition, the front center
airbag is designed to inflate when
the sensing system predicts that the
vehicle is about to roll over on its
side. The front center airbag is not
designed to inflate in frontal
impacts, near frontal impacts,
or rear impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are designed to inflate in moderate
to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
76 Seats and Restraints
are not designed to inflate in frontal
impacts, near frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is designed to inflate on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. In addition, these
roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate during a rollover or in a
severe frontal impact. Roof-rail
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbags
will inflate when either side of the
vehicle is struck, if the sensing
system predicts that the vehicle is
about to roll over on its side, or in a
severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or the repair costs.What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are
the Airbags? 073.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body. Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first, second, and third rows. The
rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 075.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated. The
front center airbag, if equipped, and
roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
82 Seats and Restraints
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 0122 for 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 0368.
{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 for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger's seat. The
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
Seats and Restraints 83
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim, or; with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing
System 078.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0313 for additional
important information.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and
you have questions about whether
the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you
have questions about whether the
airbag system will be affected if the vehicle is modified for any other
reason, call Customer Assistance.
See
Customer Assistance
Offices 0361.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0122.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 073. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death. To
help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0122.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
108 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 109
Steering Wheel Controls(Radio without
Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Steering Wheel Controls (Radio with Touchscreen) . . . 110
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 111
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 111
Rear Window Wiper/ Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Clock (Radio without Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Clock (Radio with Touchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 121
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 122
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 123
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 124
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 127
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 127
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . 127
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 128
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 129
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 130
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . . . . 130
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . 135
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Brake System Messages . . . . . 138
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 138
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 140
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 140
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 141
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 141
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Airbag System Messages . . . . 143
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 144
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146