recreational towing CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
216 Driving and Operating
Rotate the Driver Mode Control knob to
make a mode selection. The icons on the
knob will illuminate to indicate which mode
is active. A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message will indicate that the mode is on
when switching to different modes.
5(AWD Only) orq(FWD Only) :
Vehicle is in either Front-Wheel Drive for
non AWD vehicles, or Two-Wheel Drive for
AWD vehicles. This mode will remain active
through future ignition cycles. This setting
either puts the vehicle in Two-Wheel Drive
(AWD vehicles) or is the normal drive mode
(FWD vehicles). Use this mode for normal
driving conditions. This is the most fuel
efficient drive mode. See Driving for Better
Fuel Economy 0189.
4(AWD Only) : Vehicle is in AWD Mode.
This mode will remain active through future
ignition cycles. AWD Mode provides drive
torque to all four wheels. Use this mode for
driving conditions that require improved
traction such as gravel, sand, wet pavement,
snow, and ice. AWD may turn off and
display a message on the DIC in instances of
extensive use or overheating. When in AWD Mode, the AWD Mode
indicator will be on. For more information
on AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel Drive0211.
6(FWD Only) : Vehicle is in Snow Mode.
This mode will not remain active through
future ignition cycles. The vehicle will be in
Front-Wheel Drive when the engine is
restarted. Snow Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice covered roads.
The accelerator pedal will be more sensitive
to provide finer control of the torque at the
wheels in slippery conditions.
7(AWD Only) : Vehicle is in Off-Road
Mode. This mode will not remain active
through future ignition cycles. The vehicle
will be in Two-Wheel Drive when the engine
is restarted. This mode will automatically
activate AWD. The accelerator pedal will be
more sensitive to provide finer control of
the torque at the wheels. StabiliTrak/ESC,
ABS, and TCS will change for optimal
off-road performance. Use this mode for
public off-road recreational driving. See
Off-Road Driving 0192.
_Tow/Haul : Vehicle is in Tow/Haul
Mode. This mode will not remain active
through future ignition cycles. The vehicle
will be in Front-Wheel Drive or Two-Wheel
Drive when the engine is restarted. This
mode will automatically activate AWD. See
All-Wheel Drive 0211. The transmission holds
lower gears longer before shifting to provide
more torque necessary when towing heavy
loads. This will also increase fuel
consumption. Use this mode to assist in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds when
driving on downhill grades by using the
engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.
This helps prevent the brakes from
overheating. For more information, see Tow/
Haul Mode 0210.
The following table shows how the different
modes affect the various subsystem
functions that may be on the vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
Driving and Operating 243
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait five seconds
after you have finished pumping before
removing the fill nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care0314. Push the fuel door
closed until it latches.
{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.
Filling the Tank with a Portable Fuel
Container
If the vehicle runs out of fuel and must be
filled from a portable fuel container:
1. Locate the capless funnel adapter from the rear cargo area under the load floor.
2. Insert and latch the funnel into the capless fuel system.
{Warning
Attempting to refuel from a portable fuel
container without using the funnel
adapter may cause fuel spillage and
damage the capless fuel system. This
could cause a fire. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle could be
damaged.
3. Remove and clean the funnel adapter and return it to the storage location.
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
badly burned and the vehicle could be
damaged. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.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
Only use towing equipment that has been
designed for the vehicle. Contact your dealer
or trailering dealer for assistance with
preparing the vehicle to tow a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a trailer.
To tow a disabled vehicle, see Towing the
Vehicle 0311. To tow the vehicle behind
another vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0312.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
Vehicle Care 255
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 256
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 256
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 257
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Sidemarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 275
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 277
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 280
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 282
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 288
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 292 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 293
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 297
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 299
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 299
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 301
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 309
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
312 Vehicle Care
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle–such as
behind a motor home. The two most
common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and
dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a dolly.
Before recreational vehicle towing, consider:
.Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that apply to
recreational vehicle towing. These laws
may vary by region.
.The towing capacity of the towing
vehicle. Be sure to read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's recommendations.
.How far the vehicle will be towed. Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and
how long they can be towed.
.The proper towing equipment. See your
dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Whether the vehicle is ready to be towed.
Just as preparing the vehicle for a long
trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to
be towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of the
vehicle grille could restrict airflow and
cause damage to the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the towing
vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
For vehicles being dinghy towed, the vehicle
should be run at the beginning of each day
and at each RV fuel stop for about
five minutes. This will ensure proper
lubrication of transmission components.
To tow the vehicle from the front with all
four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle that will be towed and secure it to the towing vehicle.
2. Put the vehicle in N (Neutral).
3. Shut engine off (vehicle will remain in accessory mode). 4. Disconnect the negative (-) terminal
connector from the 12-volt battery.
5. Close the hood of the vehicle.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed without
performing each of the steps listed under
“Dinghy Towing,” the automatic
transmission could be damaged. Be sure
to follow all steps of the dinghy towing
procedure prior to and after towing the
vehicle.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded while
towing the vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 105 km/h (65 mph) while
towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached: 1. Shift the vehicle to P (Park).
2. Reconnect the negative (-) terminal connector to the 12-volt battery.
3. Start the engine and let it idle for more than three minutes before driving the
vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
364 Index
PositioningVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Problems with Route Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256, 270, 309, Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 345
R
Radio Data System (RDS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Radios (cont'd)
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Rear Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Recognition
Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 331
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . .7
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Replacing LATCH System Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . 205
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . 208
S
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14637844) - 2021 - CRC - 3/26/21
366 Index
System (cont'd)Forward Collision Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Global Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Systems
Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Teen Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Third-Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290, 291 Tires (cont'd)
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 299
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 301
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 297
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrakLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . .174
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . 343
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Updates Map Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Using the Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25