service CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint
System............................... 1-1
Head Restraints
.............. 1-2
Front Seats
.................... 1-3
Rear Seats
.................... 1-9
Safety Belts
..................1-14
Child Restraints
.............1-27
Airbag System
..............1-46
Restraint System
Check
......................1-59
Features and Controls...... 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-8
Windows
......................2-14
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-16
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
.............2-20
Mirrors
.........................2-31
Object Detection
Systems
...................2-36
OnStar
®System
............2-43Universal Home Remote
System
.....................2-47
Storage Areas
...............2-52
Sunroof
........................2-56
Instrument Panel............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 3-4
Climate Controls
............3-19
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............3-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............3-44
Audio System(s)
............3-73
Driving Your Vehicle......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
........... 4-1
Towing
........................4-21
Service and
Appearance Care............... 5-1
Service
.......................... 5-3
Fuel
.............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.................... 5-9Headlamp Aiming
..........5-33
Bulb Replacement
.........5-33
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
.............5-35
Tires
...........................5-36
Appearance Care
..........5-78
Vehicle Identication
......5-85
Electrical System
...........5-85
Capacities and
Specications
............5-92
Maintenance Schedule...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information
................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
.....................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
...............7-16
Index....................................i-1
2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner ManualM

Safety Warnings and
Symbols
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do Not,”
“Do not do this” or “Do not let this
happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is
used to tell about things that could
hurt you or others if you were to
ignore the warning.
{CAUTION
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and
what to do to avoid or reduce the
hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that
can damage the vehicle.
Notice:These mean there is
something that could damage
your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not
be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty, and it could be costly. The
notice tells what to do to help
avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on
the vehicle which use the same
words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specic
component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Preface iii

See “MEMORY SEAT RECALL”
underDIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65for
more information.
To stop recall movement of the
memory feature at any time, press
one of the power seat controls,
memory buttons, or power mirror
buttons.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the driver seat recall
may stop working. If this happens,
press the appropriate control for
the area that is not recalling
for two seconds, after the
obstruction is removed. Then try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate
memory button. If the memory
position is still not being recalled,
see your dealer/retailer for service.Easy Exit Seat
The control for this feature is
located on the driver door panel
between buttons 1 and 2.
With the vehicle in P (Park), the
exit position can be recalled
by pressing the exit button. You will
hear a single beep. The driver
seat will move back.
If the easy exit seat feature is on in
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
automatic seat movement will occur
when the key is removed from the
ignition. See “EASY EXIT SEAT”
underDIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65for
more information.Further programming for the
memory seat feature can be done
using the DIC. You can select
or cancel the following:
The automatic easy exit seat
feature.
The remote memory seat recall
feature.
For programming information, see
DIC Vehicle Customization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 3-65.
Seats and Restraint System 1-7

The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There
may be some smoke and dust
coming from the vents in the
deated airbags. Airbag ination
does not prevent the driver
from seeing out of the windshield
or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION
When an airbag inates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
breathing problems but cannot get
out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by
opening a window or a door. If
you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors,
turn the interior lamps on, and turn
the hazard warning ashers on
when the airbags inate. You can
lock the doors, turn the interior
lamps off, and turn the hazard
warning ashers off by using the
controls for those features.
In many crashes severe enough to
inate the airbag, windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.Airbags are designed to inate
only once. After an airbag
inates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system. If
you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to
help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for your vehicle covers the
need to replace other parts.
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 7-16andEvent
Data Recorders on page 7-16.
Let only qualied technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
1-52 Seats and Restraint System

For some children, including children
in child restraints, and for very small
adults, the passenger sensing
system may or may not turn off the
right front passenger frontal airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in
the vehicle who has outgrown child
restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-33for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions provided
by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position on
page 1-43.5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then
slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to
make sure that the vehicle
seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint
is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
SeeHead Restraints on
page 1-2.
6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the
airbag for a child in a child
restraint depending upon the
child’s seating posture and body
build. It is better to secure the
child restraint in a rear seat.
Seats and Restraint System 1-55

Liquid pooled on the seat that has
not soaked in may make it more
likely that the passenger sensing
system will enable (turn on) the
passenger airbag while a child
restraint or child occupant is on
the seat. If the passenger airbag
is turned on, the on indicator will
be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-33for
important safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on an
unoccupied seat. If this is not desired
remove the object from the seat.{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing the vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-15.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualied to do so.
Seats and Restraint System 1-57

Q:Because I have a disability, I
have to get my vehicle
modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are
in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in
this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on
page 7-1.
In addition, your dealer/retailer
and the service manual have
information about the location of
the airbag sensors, sensing
and diagnostic module and airbag
wiring.
Restraint System
Check
Checking the Restraint
Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check that the safety
belt reminder light, safety belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working
properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job. See your
dealer/retailer to have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not
protect you in a crash. They can
rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new
one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. SeeSafety Belt
Reminders on page 3-32for more
information.Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on
page 5-80.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-33for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering
is damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened
or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag
module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules,
seeWhat Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-51. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Seats and Restraint System 1-59

If you are locked out of the vehicle,
call the Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-6.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.This device complies with RSS-210
of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two
conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modications to
this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range, try this:
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle. Stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few
steps to the left or right, hold
the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check the transmitter’s battery.
See “Battery Replacement”
later in this section.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer/retailer or a qualied
technician for service.
Features and Controls 2-3

Liftgate
{CAUTION
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
Close all of the windows.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-30.
If the vehicle has a power liftgate,
seePower Liftgate on page 2-11.
To unlock the liftgate, use the power
door lock switch or press the door
unlock button on the RKE transmitter
twice. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2-4.To open the liftgate, press the
touchpad on the underside of the
liftgate handle. The vehicle must be
in P (Park) to open the liftgate.
To close the liftgate, use the pull cup
or strap.
The liftgate has an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected
and has adequate voltage, and
the liftgate still will not function,
the vehicle should be taken
to a dealers/retailer for service.
2-10 Features and Controls

Press the liftgate button on the
center console.
Press the touchpad switch on the
outside liftgate handle.
Pressing the buttons or touchpad
switch a second time while the
liftgate is moving reverses the
direction.The liftgate can also be closed by
pressing the power liftgate button
next to the liftgate latch. Press the
button a second time during liftgate
operation to reverse the operation.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.If the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park)
and the vehicle accelerates before
the power liftgate latches closed, the
liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of the
vehicle. The power liftgate must be
closed and latched before driving.
If the liftgate is power opened and
the support struts have lost pressure,
the lights will ash and a chime will
sound. The liftgate will stay open
temporarily, then slowly close. See
your dealer/retailer for service before
using the liftgate if this occurs.
Obstacle Detection Features
A warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or
open position if the liftgate
encounters an obstacle during a
power open or close cycle. Power Liftgate Button on Center
Console
Power Liftgate Button near
Liftgate Latch
2-12 Features and Controls