2021 CHEVROLET TRAX check engine

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
Instruments and Controls 89
Caution (Continued)
required, but if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil pressure is
still low, have the vehicle serviced.
Always follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as the
engine is started. If it does not come on,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not flowing through the engine
properly. The vehicle could be low on oil
and might have some other system
problem. See your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
A Low Fuel Warning Light near the fuel
gauge comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel gauge
indicator nears empty. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
Immobilizer Light
The immobilizer light should come on briefly
as the engine is started. If it does not come
on, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.If the light stays on and the engine does
not start, there could be a problem with the
immobilizer system. See
Immobilizer
Operation (Keyless Access) 024 or
Immobilizer Operation (Key Access) 024.
Reduced Engine Power Light
The reduced engine power light should come
on briefly as the engine is started. If it does
not come on, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
This light, along with the malfunction
indicator lamp, displays when a noticeable
reduction in the vehicle's performance
occurs.
The vehicle can be driven at a reduced
speed when the reduced engine power light
is on but acceleration and speed might be
reduced. If this light stays on, see your
dealer as soon as possible for diagnosis and
repair.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
132 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
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.
See
Tires 0199.
.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 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.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
144 Driving and Operating
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electricalcord. The cord is in the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the battery.
It is shipped from the factory with a tie
holding it in place. Use care in removing
the tie so that the cord is not damaged.
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 it 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
.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.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
150 Driving and Operating
2. Press the + (plus) end of the button onthe 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 improve with the normal
gear shifting as the transmission learns and
adapts.
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. See
Vehicle Messages
092. 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
0220.
AWD will be disabled and the message will
display if there is excessive wheel spin.
When the system cools down, AWD will be
restored.
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when the
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor
or clicking noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake pedal may
move slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light stays on. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 086.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
152 Driving and Operating
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive Driving
0 129.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) temporarily prevents the
vehicle from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition from brake
pedal release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator pedal is
applied or automatically release after a few
seconds. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
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 the vehicle
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 0133 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.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
164 Driving and Operating
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the fill nozzle. Shut off the
flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or
by notifying the station attendant. Leave
the area immediately.
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, get the right
type of cap from your dealer. The wrong
type of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may turn on the malfunction indicator
lamp, and could damage the fuel system
and emissions system. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) 084.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container while
it is in the vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite
the fuel vapor. You or others could be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
badly burned and the vehicle could be
damaged. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
.Do not fill a container while it is
inside a vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, in
a pickup bed, or on any surface other
than the ground.
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact with
the inside of the fill opening before
operating the nozzle. Maintain contact
until filling is complete.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Avoid using electronic devices while
pumping fuel.
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your vehicle.
It was not designed or intended to tow a
trailer.
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is used for
vehicle service and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) 084.
A device connected to the DLC —such as
an aftermarket fleet or driver-behavior
tracking device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
166 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 167
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 168
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 170
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 191
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 194
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 198
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 203
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 206 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 207
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 210
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 212
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 213
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 214
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 221
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14609828) -
2021 - CRC - 8/21/20
168 Vehicle Care
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 053.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0257.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 53. If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start 017.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 246.Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
Turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the engine is running with the
hood open, you or others could be
injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle inside the vehicle. It is on the lower left side of the
instrument panel.