2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE ECO mode

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Driving and Operating 227
The vehicle has a fuel saving stop/
start system to shut off the engine to
help conserve fuel.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. SeeTachometer
0 137. When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator pedal is
pushed, the engine will restart.
Auto Stop may be deactivated if:
. A minimum vehicle speed is not
reached.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range,
typically between −10 °C (14 °F)
and 50 °C (122 °F).
. The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive).
. The battery charge is low. .
The interior comfort level has not
reached the required level for
the climate control system or
defog settings.
. The Auto Stop time is greater
than two minutes.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up in
cold weather conditions at or below
0 °F (−18 °C). Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting.
Some models may have an internal
thermostat in the cord which will
prevent engine heater operation at
temperatures above 0 °F (−18 °C).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The bundled
cord is on the driver side of the
engine compartment, in front of
the battery. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0286.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Driving and Operating 233
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
If the vehicle is stopped on a hill,
with your foot off the brake pedal,
the vehicle may roll. This is normal
and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy
and performance. Use the brake to
hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use
the accelerator pedal.
L :
This position gives you access
to gear ranges. This provides more
engine braking but lower fuel
economy than D (Drive). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. See Manual Mode
0 234.
Operating Modes : The
transmission may operate in a lower
gear than normal to improve vehicle
performance. The engine speed
may be higher and there may be an
increase in noise during the
following conditions:
. When climbing a grade.
. When driving downhill.
. When driving in hot
temperatures, or at high altitude.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
234 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the highest
gear available for the range
selected.
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to
L (Low), the transmission will shift to
a pre-determined lower gear range.
The highest gear available for this
pre-determined range is displayed
next to the L in the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0150. The
number displayed in the DIC is the
highest gear that the transmission
will be allowed to operate in. This
means that all gears below that
number are available. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the
L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are automatically shifted by the
vehicle. The transmission will not
shift into 5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus)
button is used or you shift back into
D (Drive). If the transmission is in 6 (Sixth)
gear when L (Low) is selected, a
downshift to 4 (Fourth) will be
commanded. If in 5 (Fifth) through
2 (Second) a single downshift will
occur.
While in L (Low), the transmission
will prevent shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too
high. You have a brief period of time
to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed
is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. You must
further slow the vehicle, then press
−
(Minus) to the desired lower gear
range.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking is
not available when the ERS is
active. It is available in D (Drive) for
both normal driving and Tow/Haul
Mode. While using the ERS, cruise
control and the Tow/Haul Mode can
be used. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
following.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Driving and Operating 239
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Hill Start Assist (HSA) will activate
when the vehicle is stopped on a
moderate to steep grade to help
prevent it from rolling in an
unintended direction. After the brake
pedal has been released and before
the accelerator pedal has been
pressed, HSA uses braking
pressure to hold the vehicle
stationary. If HSA is holding the
vehicle, a DIC message displays.
HSA will not activate in a forward
drive gear when facing downhill,
or in R (Reverse) when facing uphill.
Select the duration of the HSA
feature through vehicle
personalization. See”Extended Hill
Start Assist” under“Comfort and
Convenience” inVehicle
Personalization 0154. When
Standard Hold is selected, the
vehicle is held stationary for up to
two seconds after the brake pedal is
released. When Extended Hold is selected, the vehicle is held
stationary for up to five minutes
after the brake pedal is released. In
either case, override the hold
feature by pressing the accelerator
pedal and attempting to drive away.
If Standard Hold is selected, it will
hold the vehicle for two seconds
unless the driver door is opened or
the driver seat belt is unbuckled
after releasing the brake pedal.
If Extended Hold is selected, it will
hold the vehicle for five minutes
unless the driver door is opened
and the driver seat belt is unbuckled
prior to releasing the brake pedal.
When deactivated after five minutes,
or if it is deactivated when the driver
seat belt is unlatched or the driver
door is opened, the Electric Parking
Brake will engage to prevent vehicle
movement.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
242 Driving and Operating
vehicle in Two-Wheel Drive (AWD
vehicles) or is the normal drive
mode (FWD vehicles). Use this
mode for normal driving conditions.
This is the most fuel efficient drive
mode. SeeDriving for Better Fuel
Economy 029.
4(AWD Only) : Vehicle is in AWD
Mode. This mode will remain active
through future ignition cycles. AWD
Mode provides drive torque to all
four wheels. Use this mode for
driving conditions that require
improved traction such as gravel,
sand, wet pavement, snow, and ice.
AWD may turn off and display a
message on the DIC in instances of
extensive use or overheating.
When in AWD Mode, the AWD
Mode indicator will be on. For more
information on AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel Drive 0235.
6(FWD Only) : Vehicle is in Snow
Mode. This mode will not remain
active through future ignition cycles.
The vehicle will be in Front-Wheel
Drive when the engine is restarted.
Snow Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice
covered roads. The accelerator
pedal will be more sensitive to
provide finer control of the torque at
the wheels in slippery conditions.
7(AWD Only) : Vehicle is in
Off-Road Mode. This mode will not
remain active through future ignition
cycles. The vehicle will be in
Two-Wheel Drive when the engine
is restarted. This mode will
automatically activate AWD. The
accelerator pedal will be more
sensitive to provide finer control of
the torque at the wheels.
StabiliTrak, ABS, and TCS will
change for optimal off-road
performance. Use this mode for
public off-road recreational driving.
See Off-Road Driving 0211.
_Tow/Haul : Vehicle is in Tow/
Haul Mode. This mode will not
remain active through future ignition
cycles. The vehicle will be in
Front-Wheel Drive or Two-Wheel
Drive when the engine is restarted.
This mode will automatically
activate AWD. See All-Wheel Drive
0 235. The transmission holds lower
gears longer before shifting to
provide more torque necessary
when towing heavy loads. This will
also increase fuel consumption. Use
this mode to assist in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving
on downhill grades by using the
engine and transmission to slow the
vehicle. This helps prevent the
brakes from overheating. For more
information, see Tow/Haul Mode
0 235.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Driving and Operating 261
Following Distance Indication
The following distance to a moving
vehicle you are following is
indicated in following time in
seconds on the DIC. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) 0150. The
minimum following time is
0.5 seconds away. If there is no
vehicle detected ahead, or the
vehicle ahead is out of sensor
range, dashes will be displayed.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary
alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles
in other lanes, objects that are not
vehicles, or shadows. These alerts
are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, this may correct
the issue:
. Clean the outside of the
windshield in front of the
rearview mirror. .
Clean the entire front of the
vehicle.
. Clean the headlamps.
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
If the vehicle has Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), it also has FAB, which
includes Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA). When the system
detects a vehicle ahead in your path
that is traveling in the same
direction that you may be about to
crash into, it can provide a boost to
braking or automatically brake the
vehicle. This can help avoid or
lessen the severity of crashes when
driving in a forward gear. Depending
on the situation, the vehicle may
automatically brake moderately or
hard. This forward automatic
braking can only occur if a vehicle is
detected. This is shown by the FCA
vehicle ahead indicator being lit.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0259. The system works when driving in a
forward gear between 8 km/h
(5 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph),
or on vehicles with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), above 4 km/h
(2 mph). It can detect vehicles up to
approximately 60 m (197 ft).{Warning
FAB is an emergency crash
preparation feature and is not
designed to avoid crashes. Do
not rely on FAB to brake the
vehicle. FAB will not brake
outside of its operating speed
range and only responds to
detected vehicles.
FAB may not:
. Detect a vehicle ahead on
winding or hilly roads.
. Detect all vehicles,
especially vehicles with a
trailer, tractors, muddy
vehicles, etc.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Driving and Operating 273
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0351. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0351.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle or
other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi), of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
The Tow/Haul Mode may be
used in both modes. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0235.
. Turn off parking assist when
towing.
. Turn off Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
when towing. See Lane Keep
Assist (LKA) 0267.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) when towing. See
Adaptive Cruise Control 0246.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
system should be set to Off
when towing. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 0261. .
The Front Pedestrian Braking
system should be set to Alert or
Off when towing. See Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0263.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
280 Driving and Operating
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body-to-Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the hitch must be adjusted so
that the distance (2) remains the
same both before and after coupling
the trailer to the tow vehicle.
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.
Use only a round, seven-wire
connector with flat blade terminals
meeting SAE J2863 specifications
for proper electrical connectivity.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.
Yellow/Blue: Left Stop/Turn
Signal
. Green/Brown: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
. Gray/Brown: Taillamps .
Black: Ground
. White/Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Green: Battery Feed
. 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.
If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, select Tow/Haul
Mode on Driver Mode Control knob
on the center console. This will
boost the vehicle system voltage
and properly charge the battery.
If the trailer is too light for Tow/Haul
Mode, turn on the headlamps
(non-HID only) as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.