check engine CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owner's Guide

The transmission uid will not
reach the end of the dipstick unless
the transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check the
transmission uid level, please take
the vehicle to your dealer/retailer.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fans
{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. The coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst.
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,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.
Service and Appearance Care 5-17

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 recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before this
is done. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-17for more information.The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at or above the
FULL COLD line marked on the
recovery tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL COLD
line. If the coolant is below the FULL
COLD line when the engine is hot,
there could be a leak in the cooling
system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a dealer/retailer
for service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at
the coolant recovery tank.
Service and Appearance Care 5-19

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gage on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-38.
The vehicle may also display
an ENGINE OVERHEATED
IDLE ENGINE and ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked
on a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re
while driving with no coolant,
the vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-23for
information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off
and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated, the
liquids in it can catch re. You or
others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-23for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
5-22 Service and Appearance Care

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir
is located toward the front of the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or you hear an unusual
noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering
uid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
4. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
5. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.
6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the uid level on the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere
between MAX and MIN line on the
dipstick in room temperature. If the
uid is on or below MIN line, you
should add uid close to MAX Line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield
washer uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating in
an area where the temperature may
fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against
freezing.
5-24 Service and Appearance Care

Notice:If you leave the radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlets. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the
positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on the other
vehicle. Your vehicle has a
remote positive (+) and a remote
negative (−) jump starting
terminal. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for more information
on the terminal locations.{CAUTION
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 ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the batteries have
enough water. You do not need to
add water to the ACDelco
®
battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ller caps, be sure the right
amount of uid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of that
rst. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do
not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
5-30 Service and Appearance Care

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Cooling System 11.4 qt 10.8 L
Engine Oil with Filter 5.5 qt 5.2 L
Fuel Tank 22.0 gal 83.3 L
Transmission Fluid* 5.3 qt 5.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 140 lb ft 190 Y
*See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-16 for information on checking uid level.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
3.6L V6 Engine DAutomatic 0.043 in (1.10 mm)
5-92 Service and Appearance Care

Maintenance
Schedule
Maintenance ScheduleIntroduction..........................6-1
Maintenance Requirements.....6-1
Your Vehicle and the
Environment........................6-1
Using the Maintenance
Schedule............................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance.........6-3
Additional Required Services. . .6-6
Maintenance Footnotes..........6-7
Owner Checks and Services. . .6-9
At Each Fuel Fill...................6-9
At Least Once a Month..........6-9
At Least Once a Year..........6-10
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants.........................6-12
Maintenance Replacement
Parts................................6-14
Engine Drive Belt Routing.....6-15
Maintenance Record............6-16
Maintenance
Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the
proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Maintenance
Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals,
checks, inspections, replacement
parts, and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed
in this manual are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused
by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Your Vehicle and the
Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper
vehicle maintenance can even affect
the quality of the air we breathe.
Maintenance Schedule 6-1

To purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-15.
Owner Checks and Services on
page 6-9tells what should be
checked, when to check it, and what
can easily be done to help keep
the vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts,
uids, and lubricants to use are
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12and
Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-14. When the vehicle is
serviced, make sure these are used.
All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you
or anyone else drives the vehicle.
We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, service is
required for the vehicle. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life
system might not indicate that
vehicle service is necessary for over
a year. However, the engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service technicians who
will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever
reset accidentally, service the vehicle
within 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil
is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-13for information
on the Engine Oil Life System and
resetting the system.
When the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message appears,
certain services, checks, and
inspections are required. Required
services are described in the
following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that the rst service
be MaintenanceI, the second
service be MaintenanceII, and then
alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However,
in some cases, MaintenanceIImay
be required more often.
Maintenance Schedule 6-3

MaintenanceI—Use
Maintenance Iif the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
displays within 10 months since
the vehicle was purchased or
Maintenance IIwas performed. Maintenance
II—Use
Maintenance IIif the previous
service performed was
Maintenance I. Always use
Maintenance IIwhenever the message displays 10 months or
more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all
for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service
MaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on page 5-11. Reset oil life
system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-13 .An Emission Control
Service. ••
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (g). ••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-15 .See footnote (l). •
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-48 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on
page 6-9. ••
6-4 Maintenance Schedule

Scheduled Maintenance (cont’d)
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed. ••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section. ••
Inspect suspension and steering components. See footnote (b). •
Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c). •
Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d). •
Inspect restraint system components. See footnote (e). •
Lubricate body components. See footnote (f). •
Inspect throttle system. See footnote (j). •
Maintenance Schedule 6-5