
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
206 Climate Controls
Air Delivery Mode Control :Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.
By positioning the right knob
between two modes, a combination
of those two modes is selected.
H: Air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets.
): Air is divided between the
instrument panel and floor outlets.
Some air is directed toward the
windshield and side window outlets.
Cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to the floor
outlets.
6: Air is directed to the floor
outlets, with some of the air directed
to the windshield, side window, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air. Recirculation
cannot be selected while in
floor mode.
-: This clears the windows of fog
or moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield, floor outlets, and side
window vents. When this mode is
selected, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning unless the outside
temperature is less than 4 °C (40 °
F). Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defog mode. Do not
drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
0:
This clears the windshield of
fog or frost more quickly. Air is
directed to the windshield and side
window vents, with some to the floor
vents. In this mode, outside air is
pulled inside the vehicle.
Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode. The air
conditioning system runs
automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is less than
4 °C (40 °F). Do not drive the
vehicle until all windows are clear.
#: Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. An
indicator light comes on when A/C is
on. The air conditioning system
does not operate when the outside
temperature is below 4 °C (40 °F).
The indicator light flashes three
times and turns off when outside
conditions affect air conditioning
operation. This is normal. For quicker cool down on hot days:
1. Open the windows to let hot air escape.
2. Select
Hmode.
3. Select
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
6. Close the windows after the hot air has escaped.
7. Once the vehicle's interior temperature is below the
outside temperature, select
@mode for faster cooling.
Using recirculation for long periods
of time could cause the air inside
the vehicle to become too dry. To
prevent this from happening, after
the inside of the vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9955676) - 2017 - crc - 3/29/16
Climate Controls 207
@:Press to turn the recirculation
mode on or off. An indicator light
comes on when recirculation is on.
When the engine is turned off, the
recirculation mode automatically
turns off and must be re-selected
when the engine is turned on again.
This mode recirculates and helps to
quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to reduce the
outside air and odors that may enter
the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defrost, or defogging
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. The air
conditioning also comes on when
this mode is activated unless the
outside air temperature is less than
4 °C (40 °F). 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.
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
1is 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.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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210 Climate Controls
Changing the air delivery mode
while in automatic control places the
system into manual control. The air
delivery mode button indicator
displays, and the AUTO button
indicator light turns off.
H:Air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets.
): Air is divided between the
instrument panel and floor outlets.
Some air is directed towards the
windshield and side window outlets.
Cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to the floor
outlets.
6: Air is directed to the floor
outlets, with some of the air directed
to the windshield, side window, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system uses outside air.
-: This mode clears the windows
of fog or moisture. Air is directed to
the windshield, floor outlets, and
side window vents. When this mode
is selected, the system turns off
recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is less than 4 °
C (40 °F). Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
0:
Press to turn the defrost on or
off. This mode quickly clears the
windshield of fog or frost. Air is
directed to the windshield, side
window, and floor vents. In this
mode, outside air is pulled inside
the vehicle. The air conditioning
system runs automatically in this
setting, unless the outside
temperature is less than 4 °C (40
°F).
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Air Conditioning
A/C : Press to turn the air
conditioning on and off. An indicator
light comes on when A/C is on.
The A/C does not work when the
outside temperature is below 4 °C
(40 °F). If A/C is pressed the
indicator flashes three times and
turns off to show that the A/C mode
is not available. If the A/C is on and
the outside temperature drops
below a temperature which is too cool for air conditioning to be
effective, the A/C indicator turns off
to show that the A/C mode has
been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows
briefly to let hot inside air escape.
This helps reduce the time it takes
for the interior of the vehicle to
cool down.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
@:
Press to alternate between
recirculating air inside the vehicle or
pulling in outside air. An indicator
light comes on when recirculation
mode is active. With each ignition
cycle, the recirculation mode is
reset to automatic. When the engine
is turned on, outside air or
recirculation is automatically
selected for better performance.
When recirculation is activated, the
air conditioning compressor comes
on and helps to quickly cool the air

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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216 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 220
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 221
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 227
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 235
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 240
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 244
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 254
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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218 Driving and Operating
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious—or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
. Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Hydraulic Power Steering
This vehicle has hydraulic power
steering. It may require
maintenance. See
Power Steering
Fluid 0281.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops, or there
is a system malfunction, the vehicle

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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-
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222 Driving and Operating
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0238.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0363. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe: .
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0234.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 223
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0240.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0329.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.