Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556235) - 2020 - CRC - 9/19/19
186 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park 0182 and
Engine Exhaust 0185. If the vehicle
has a manual transmission, see
Parking (Manual Transmission)
0 184.Automatic
Transmission
The selected gear is also shown in
the instrument cluster.
P : This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0182.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift
lever button pressed before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition is
on. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 187
the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. SeeShifting out of Park 0183.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0169.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{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.
M : This position allows shifting
similar to a manual transmission.
See Manual Mode 0188.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556235) - 2020 - CRC - 9/19/19
188 Driving and Operating
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.
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
DSC allows you to shift an
automatic transmission similar to a
manual transmission.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual).
While driving in manual mode,
the transmission will remain in
the driver selected gear. When
coming to a stop in the manual
position, the vehicle will
automatically shift into
1 (First) gear.
2. Press the + (plus) end of the button on the side of the shift
lever to upshift, or press the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
The instrument cluster will change
from the currently displayed
message to the letter “M,”for
Manual position, and a number
indicating the requested gear.
While using the DSC feature, the
transmission will have firmer shifting
and sportier performance. This can
be used for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer
or to downshift for more power or
engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you
to shift into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm):
.
The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next higher gear if
the vehicle speed or engine rpm
is too low.
. The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next lower gear if
the vehicle speed or engine rpm
is too high.
Automatic Transmission
Adaptation Feature
While the vehicle is being driven
and gear shifting takes place, the
transmission will learn and adapt.
This increases durability and
maintains the best shift quality of
the life of the vehicle.
During vehicle break-in (initial
driving), it is normal to experience
some shift bumps. Shift quality will
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 189
improve with the normal gear
shifting as the transmission learns
and adapts.Manual Transmission
The vehicle may be equipped with a
5-speed or 6-speed manual
transmission.
Caution
Do not rest your hand on the shift
lever while driving. The pressure
could cause premature wear in
the transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving or while
stopped. The pressure can cause
premature wear in the clutch. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Shifting the vehicle initially into
any gear other than 1 (First) or
R (Reverse) can damage the
clutch. Shift the manual
transmission in the proper
sequence, and time the gear
shifting with the accelerator to
avoid revving the engine and
damaging the clutch.
1 (First) : Press the clutch pedal
fully to the pedal stop and shift into
1 (First). Then slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
If you have come to a complete stop
and it is hard to shift into 1 (First),
put the shift lever in Neutral and let
up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into
1 (First).
2 (Second) : Press the clutch pedal
fully to the pedal stop as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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190 Driving and Operating
into 2 (Second). Then, slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and
6 (Sixth) :Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth) (if
equipped) the same way as for
2 (Second). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. Upshifts should
occur between 2000 and 3000 rpm
and downshifts should occur
between 2000 and 1000 rpm.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral : Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R (Reverse) : To engage
R (Reverse), with the vehicle
stationary, pull up on the button on
the shift lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever in Neutral, release the clutch
pedal, and apply it again; then
repeat gear selection.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
Shift Speeds
Caution
Do not skip gears while
upshifting. This can cause
premature wear in the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
{Warning
If you skip a gear when
downshifting, you could lose
control of the vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not
shift down more than one gear at
a time when downshifting.
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 191
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission may have an up-shift
light. This light indicates when to
shift to the next higher gear for
better fuel economy.
For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on, and if the weather,
road, and traffic conditions allow.
It is normal for the light to go on and
off if the accelerator position
changes quickly. Ignore the light
during downshifts.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
If equipped, this feature transfers
engine power, as required, to all
four wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle,
the system automatically detects the
compact spare and disables AWD to
protect the system. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display on the instrument
cluster. SeeVehicle Messages
(Uplevel) 0116 or
Vehicle Messages (Base Level)
0 116. To restore AWD operation
and prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire
0 281. AWD will be disabled and the
message will display if there is
excessive wheel spin. When the
system cools down, AWD will be
restored.
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556235) - 2020 - CRC - 9/19/19
194 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle may have a Traction
Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), 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/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of thevehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise
control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0169
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 195
2. Turn the engine off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
The appropriate message may
display in the DIC.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. The
appropriate message may display in
the DIC. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 215.