steering CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
A frontal airbag for the driver.
A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.
A roof-rail airbag for the driver,
passenger seated directly
behind the driver, and the third
row outboard passenger position.
A roof-rail airbag for the right
front passenger, passenger
seated directly behind the right
front passenger, and the third row
outboard passenger position.All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached
label near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the middle
part of the steering wheel for
the driver and on the instrument
panel for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG
will appear on the side of the
seatback closest to the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear along the
headliner or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today’s airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inating bag, all airbags must
inate very quickly to do their job.Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{CAUTION
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt — even
if you have airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, but do not replace them.
Also, airbags are not designed to
deploy in every crash. In some
crashes safety belts are your only
restraint. SeeWhen Should an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-49.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in your
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
1-46 Seats and Restraint System

Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.The right front passenger frontal
airbag is in the instrument panel on
the passenger side.
The seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and right front
passenger are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
Driver Side shown, Passenger
Side similar
1-48 Seats and Restraint System

The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
right front passenger, passengers
behind the driver and right front
passenger, and the third row
outboard passengers are in the
ceiling above the side windows.
{CAUTION
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inate properly or
it might force the object into that
person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an
inating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the ination path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver’s or right
front passenger’s head and chest.
However, they are only designed to
inate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe
a crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inate and help restrain
the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on
how fast your vehicle is traveling. It
depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact, and how
quickly your vehicle slows down. Driver Side shown, Passenger
Side similar
Seats and Restraint System 1-49

What Makes an Airbag
Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inator. Gas from the inator lls
the airbag causing the bag to break
out of the cover and deploy. The
inator, the airbag, and related
hardware are all part of the airbag
module.
Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
there are airbag modules in the side
of the front seatbacks closest to
the door. For vehicles with roof-rail
airbags, there are airbag modules
in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant
seating positions.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants
can contact the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts.
Frontal airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over
the occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over
the occupant’s upper body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
rst, second, and third rows. The
rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk offull or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily because
the occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. SeeWhen Should an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-49for
more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inate, they quickly deate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inated for some time after
they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-51.
Seats and Restraint System 1-51

Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add
to or change about the
vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working
properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle’s frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, front sensors, side
impact sensors, rollover
sensor module, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of
the airbag system.In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position,
which includes sensors that are
part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may
not operate properly if the original
seat trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an
aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere
with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the passenger
airbag(s). SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-53.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.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof-rail airbags, seeDifferent
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 5-52for additional
important information.
1-58 Seats and Restraint System

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park),
the ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the
brake pedal must be applied.Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand,
see your dealer/retailer.
((LOCK/OFF):This position locks
the ignition and transmission. The
key can be removed in LOCK/OFF.
The shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning
the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is
the position in which you can operate
the electrical accessories or items
plugged into the accessory poweroutlets. This position unlocks the
ignition and steering wheel. Use this
position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
R(ON/RUN):This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning and
indicator lights. The switch stays in
this position when the engine is
running. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position. If you leave
the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off,
the battery could be drained.
You may not be able to start the
vehicle if the battery is allowed to
drain for an extended period of time.
/(START):This is the position
that starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to
ON/RUN for driving.
Features and Controls 2-21

OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
eligible OnStar subscribers to make
and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is
fully integrated into the vehicle, and
can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Most vehicles
include 30 trial minutes good for
60 days. Hands-Free Calling can
also be linked to a Verizon Wireless
service plan in the U.S. or a Bell
Mobility service plan in Canada,
depending on eligibility. To nd out
more, refer to the OnStar Owner’s
Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
onstar.com or onstar.ca, or speak
with an OnStar advisor by pressing
the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Turn-by-Turn
Navigation
Vehicles with the OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation system
can provide voice-guided driving
directions. Press the OnStar button
to have an OnStar advisor locate a
business or address and download
driving directions to the vehicle.
Voice-guided directions to the
desired destination will play through
the audio system speakers. See the
OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of
OnStar Hands-Free Calling that uses
minutes to access location-based
weather, local traffic reports, and
stock quotes. Press the phone button
and give a few simple voice
commands to browse through the
various topics. See the OnStar
Owner’s Guide for more information.
This feature is only available in the
continental U.S.
OnStar Steering Wheel
Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact
with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-125for more information.
On some vehicles, the mute button
can be used to dial numbers
into voice mail systems, or to dial
phone extensions. See the
OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
Features and Controls 2-45

Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview.....3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers.......3-5
Horn....................................3-5
Tilt and Telescopic Steering
Wheel................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever.................................3-6
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals...............................3-6
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer.............................3-7
Flash-to-Pass........................3-7
Windshield Wipers.................3-7
Windshield Washer................3-8
Rear Window Wiper/Washer. . .3-9
Cruise Control......................3-9
Exterior Lamps....................3-11
Delayed Headlamps.............3-12
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System..............3-12
Fog Lamps.........................3-13
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................3-13Courtesy Lamps..................3-14
Dome Lamps......................3-14
Dome Lamp Override...........3-14
Entry Lighting......................3-14
Delayed Entry Lighting.........3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting...........3-15
Parade Dimming..................3-15
Reading Lamps...................3-15
Electric Power
Management.....................3-15
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s). . . .3-17
Power Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current.............3-18
Climate ControlsClimate Control System........3-19
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System..................3-22
Outlet Adjustment................3-27
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System.................3-28
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System and
Electronic Climate
Controls............................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators..........................3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster.......3-31
Speedometer and
Odometer.........................3-32
Tachometer........................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders..........3-32
Airbag Readiness Light.........3-33
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator...........................3-33
Charging System Light.........3-34
Voltmeter Gage...................3-35
Brake System Warning
Light................................3-36
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light...........3-37
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light. . . .3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light....................3-38
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage.............3-38
Tire Pressure Light..............3-39
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp..................3-39
Oil Pressure Light................3-42
Security Light......................3-43
Instrument Panel 3-1

Cruise Control Light.............3-43
Highbeam On Light..............3-43
Tow/Haul Mode Light...........3-43
Fuel Gage..........................3-43
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC).....................3-44
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons).............3-45
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons).........3-51
DIC Compass.....................3-54
DIC Warnings and
Messages.........................3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons).............3-65
Audio System(s)Audio System(s)..................3-73
Setting the Clock.................3-74
Radio(s).............................3-75
Using an MP3
(Radio with CD).................3-92
Using an MP3 (Radio with
CD and DVD Player)..........3-96
XM Radio Messages..........3-102Navigation/Radio System.....3-103
Bluetooth
®........................3-103
Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) System..................3-114
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)......3-123
Theft-Deterrent Feature.......3-125
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls..........................3-125
Radio Reception................3-126
Multi-Band Antenna............3-127
3-2 Instrument Panel