2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE overheating

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
102 Instruments and Controls
.It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up
than the gauge indicated. For example,
the gauge indicated the tank was half
full, but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while turning a
corner or speeding up.
.The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is turned on,
and goes back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Metric Uplevel Shown, Base Level Similar
English Uplevel Shown, Base Level Similar
This gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the pointer moves toward the warning
area at the high end of the gauge, the
engine is too hot.
If the engine coolant has overheated and
the vehicle has been operating under normal
driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. See Engine Overheating 0267.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten their seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
light nor the chime comes on.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See Passenger
Sensing System 061.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
196 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
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.
SeeTires 0284.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Activate All-Wheel Drive (AWD) mode. See
Driver Mode Control 0215.
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 assist. 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, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
Driver Mode Control 0215 and
All-Wheel Drive 0211.
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

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
Driving and Operating 205
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electricalcord. The bundled cord is on the driver
side of the engine compartment, in front
of the battery. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0259.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was
before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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216 Driving and Operating
Rotate the Driver Mode Control knob to
make a mode selection. The icons on the
knob will illuminate to indicate which mode
is active. A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message will indicate that the mode is on
when switching to different modes.
5(AWD Only) orq(FWD Only) :
Vehicle is in either Front-Wheel Drive for
non AWD vehicles, or Two-Wheel Drive for
AWD vehicles. This mode will remain active
through future ignition cycles. This setting
either puts the 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. See Driving for Better
Fuel Economy 0189.
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 Drive0211.
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/ESC,
ABS, and TCS will change for optimal
off-road performance. Use this mode for
public off-road recreational driving. See
Off-Road Driving 0192.
_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 0211. 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 0210.
The following table shows how the different
modes affect the various subsystem
functions that may be on the vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
246 Driving and Operating
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0267.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0323. It is especially important to
check the engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0267.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 255
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 256
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 256
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 257
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Sidemarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 275
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 277
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 280
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 282
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 288
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 292 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 293
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 297
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 299
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 299
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 301
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 309
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 265
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
needs to be checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0323.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0267.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level mark is not

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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266 Vehicle Care
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at
the coolant surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. See
Engine Overheating0267.
The coolant surge tank is located in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0259.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at the indicated level mark, add a 50/ 50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one-quarter of a
turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.