2019 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE trailer towing

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
284 Driving and Operating
To remove hitch cover, if equipped:1. Remove the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments.
To reinstall hitch cover: 1. Hold cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs into the slots in
the bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Reinstall the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers.
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height above the front axle
distance (2) before and after
connecting trailer. Adjust the spring
bars until the front fender height distance (2) is approximately half
way between the first and second
measurements.
Tires
.
Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0326 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
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

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
286 Driving and Operating
Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
Wiring provisions for an aftermarket
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
harness contains the following
circuits:Electric Trailer
Brakes Blue
Battery Feed Red/Green or
Red/Blue
Brake Apply
Signal White/Blue
Ground Black
Refer to the aftermarket electric
trailer brake controller owner's
manual to determine wire color
coding of the electric trailer brake
controller. The wire colors on the
brake controller may be different
from the vehicle. The electric trailer
brake controller should be installed
by your dealer or a qualified service
center. If equipped, there are four blunt cut
wires inside the front driver side
instrument panel. It will be
necessary to have a technician
connect the 12-volt power to the
engine compartment fuse block.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals should will illuminate to
indicate the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on the
instrument cluster will illuminate
even if the trailer is not properly
connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul mode, see
Driver Mode
Control 0242. Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0236.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0279.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load:
. through rolling terrain
. in stop-and-go traffic
. in busy parking lots
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
Driving and Operating 287
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
towing. If the vehicle is towing a
trailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake system,
StabiliTrak/ESC may also apply the
trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak/
ESC warning light will flash on the
instrument cluster. Reduce vehiclespeed by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator. If trailer
sway continues, StabiliTrak/ESC
can reduce engine torque to help
slow the vehicle. TSC will not
function if StabiliTrak/ESC is turned
off. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Equipment 0283 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 11/1/18
Vehicle Care 359
Front Attachment Points
The vehicle is equipped with
specific attachment points to be
used by the towing provider. These
holes may be used to pull the
vehicle from a flat road surface onto
the flatbed tow truck.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle–such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Before recreational vehicle towing,
consider:
.
Before towing the vehicle,
become familiar with the local
laws that apply to recreational
vehicle towing. These laws may
vary by region.
. The towing capacity of the
towing vehicle. Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. How far the vehicle will be
towed. Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can be towed. .
The proper towing equipment.
See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
. Whether the vehicle is ready to
be towed. Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
372 Service and Maintenance
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 220.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits. .
Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel (3.6L
V6 Engine) 0272 or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L L4
Engine) 0272.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See
Doing Your Own
Service Work 0291.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
Index 425
Tires (cont'd)Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 345
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 275
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 275
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 359
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 287
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Traction Control System(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . 147
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . 287
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Transmission (cont'd)
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 344
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 164Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Updates
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 385
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Vehicle (cont'd)
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 146
Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . 316
W
Warning
Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lane Departure (LDW) . . . . . . . 269
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . 345
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341