Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
206 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try charging or
jump starting the battery. SeeJump Starting
- North America 0311 for more information.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0210.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever.
If unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever.
If equipped, the Buckle to Drive feature may
prevent shifting from P (Park). See Buckle To
Drive 049.
If the shift lever will not move from P (Park),
consult your dealer or a professional towing
service.Parking over Things That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under the vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running, be
sure it will not move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See Shifting Into Park 0205 and
Engine Exhaust 0206.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the remote key outside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to 15 minutes.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the remote key inside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to 30 minutes.
The vehicle could turn off sooner if it is
parked on a hill, due to lack of
available fuel.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken
out of P (Park) while it is running.
Engine Exhaust
{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or smelled.
Exposure to CO can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with poor
ventilation (parking garages, tunnels,
deep snow that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds strange
or different.
.The exhaust system leaks due to
corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system has been
modified, damaged, or improperly
repaired.
.There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or
aftermarket modifications that are not
completely sealed. (Continued)
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 257
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 258
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 260
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Sidemarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 276
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 279
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 284
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 289
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 295
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 299
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 301
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 302
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 311
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . 313
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 261
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0264.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0261.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0261.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0265.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 270.
6. Battery - North America 0271.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0265.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump
Starting - North America 0311.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid 0269.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0279.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America 0311.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance and
long life, careful attention must be paid to
engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and
maintain the proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate
time. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0263.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0260
for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level. Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
272 Vehicle Care
When using a 12-volt battery charger on the
12-volt AGM battery, some chargers have an
AGM battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on the
charger, to limit charge voltage to 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories can expose you to
chemicals including lead and lead
compounds, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling. For more
information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
See California Proposition 65 Warning 01.
Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start system to shut
off the engine to help conserve fuel. See
Stop/Start System 0202.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. Always wear
eye protection. See Jump Starting - North
America 0311 for tips on working around
a battery without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to keep
the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions, transfer
case fluid does not require maintenance
unless there is a fluid leak or unusual noise.
If required, have the transfer case serviced
by your dealer.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check, the
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle
facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the
regular brake, set the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's holding
ability: With the engine running and the
transmission in N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by
the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is required.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 311
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact spare.
Using them can damage the vehicle and
the chains. Do not use tire chains on the
compact spare.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America
For more information about the vehicle
battery, seeBattery - North America 0271.
If the battery has run down, try to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use the
following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories can expose you to
chemicals including lead and lead
compounds, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling. For more
information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. See
California Proposition 65 Warning 01.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Trying
to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling
it will not work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
Caution
If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or other metal.
Connection Points and Sequence
1. Discharged Battery Positive (+) Terminal
2. Good Battery Positive (+) Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative (−) Terminal
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
312 Vehicle Care
4. Discharged Battery Negative (−)Grounding Point
The discharged battery positive (+) terminal
and the discharged battery negative (–)
grounding point are on the driver side of
the vehicle.
The good battery positive (+) terminal and
the good battery negative (–) terminal are
on the battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.
The discharged battery positive (+) terminal
is under a cover. Open the cover to expose
the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching. 3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the
shift lever in P (Park) with an automatic
transmission, or Neutral with a manual
transmission. See Shifting Into Park
0 205.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or plugged
in during the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn off or
unplug all accessories on either vehicle
when jump starting.
4. Turn the ignition off. Turn off all lights and accessories in both vehicles, except
the hazard warning flashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even when
the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you need
more light.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, flush the place with water and
get medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine parts can
injure you badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts once the engine is
running.
5. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the discharged battery
positive (+) terminal.
6. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) cable to the good battery
positive (+) terminal.
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 313
7. Connect one end of the black negative(–) cable to the good battery negative
(–) terminal.
8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to the discharged
battery negative (–) grounding point.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine at idle
speed for at least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a
few tries, it probably needs service.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it to idle
for several minutes.Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly transporting a disabled vehicle
may cause damage to the vehicle. Use
proper tire straps to secure the vehicle to
the flatbed tow truck. Do not strap or
hook to any frame, underbody,
or suspension component not specified
below. Do not move vehicles with drive
axle tires on the ground. Damage is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with an
electric parking brake and/or a
mechanical transmission range select
shifter. In the event of a loss of 12-volt
battery power, the electric parking brake
cannot be released, and the vehicle
cannot be shifted to N (Neutral). Tire
skates or dollies must be used under the
non-rolling tires to prevent damage while
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
loading/unloading the vehicle. Dragging
the vehicle will cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with a tow
eye. Improper use of the tow eye may
cause damage to the vehicle and is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If equipped, use the tow eye to load the
vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck from a
flat road surface, or to move the vehicle
a very short distance at a walking pace.
The tow eye is not designed for off-road
recovery. The vehicle must be in
N (Neutral) with the electric parking
brake released when using the tow eye.
Contact a professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be transported. GM
recommends a flatbed tow truck to
transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to
help reduce approach angles, if necessary.
If equipped, a tow eye may be located near
the spare tire or emergency jack. Do not use
the tow eye to pull the vehicle from the
Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411537) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
314 Vehicle Care
snow, mud, sand, or ditch. Tow eye threads
may have right or left-hand threads. Use
caution when installing or removing the
tow eye.
The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) and the
electric parking brake must be released
when loading the vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck.
.If the 12-volt battery is dead and/or
electric parking brake is not released, the
vehicle will not move. Try to jump start
the vehicle with a known good 12-volt
battery, shift the car into N (Neutral), and
release the electric parking brake. Refer to
Jump Starting - North America0311.
.If unsuccessful, the vehicle will not move.
Tire skates or dollies must be used under
the non-rolling tires to prevent vehicle
damage.
Front Tow Eye
If equipped, carefully open the cover by
using the small notch that conceals the
front tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket and turn
it until it is fully tightened.
When the tow eye is removed, reinstall the
cover with the notch in the original position.