cruise CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G User Guide

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and
the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy............................4-1
Defensive Driving..................4-2
Drunk Driving.......................4-2
Control of a Vehicle...............4-3
Braking................................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).....................4-4
Braking in Emergencies..........4-5
StabiliTrak
®System...............4-5
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System..............................4-7
Steering...............................4-8
Off-Road Recovery................4-9
Passing...............................4-9Loss of Control...................4-10
Driving at Night...................4-10
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads.......................4-11
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip..........................4-12
Highway Hypnosis...............4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads......4-13
Winter Driving.....................4-14
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow. . . .4-16
Rocking Your Vehicle to
GetItOut.........................4-16
Loading the Vehicle.............4-16
TowingTowing Your Vehicle............4-21
Recreational Vehicle
Towing.............................4-21
Towing a Trailer..................4-25
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high wheel
spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-16.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part
of the StabiliTrak system. Traction
control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine
speed management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is
enabled automatically when the
vehicle is started. It will activate
and the StabiliTrak light will ash
if it senses that any of the wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose
traction while driving. If traction
control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of
traction control will work. The engine
speed management will be disabled.In this mode, engine power is not
reduced automatically and the driven
wheels can spin more freely. This
can cause the brake-traction control
to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak, ABS and
brake warning lights and any
relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and
messages are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens, a
reduction in acceleration may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will ash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself
after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If the vehicle has this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels when
extra traction is needed. This is like
four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage
or disengage the axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule
about hydroplaning. The best
advice is to slow down when the
road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 5-36.
Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced by
your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
4-12 Driving Your Vehicle

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or
ice between the tires and the road,
creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when
freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction. Avoid driving on
wet ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.TheStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-5improves the ability to
accelerate on slippery roads,
but slow down and adjust your
driving to the road conditions. When
driving through deep snow, turn off
the traction control part of the
StabiliTrak
®System to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-4improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on a
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of
a curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
4-14 Driving Your Vehicle

(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also see
Checking the Restraint Systems
on page 1-59.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood latch assemblies, secondary
latches, pivots, spring anchor and
release pawl, hood and door hinges,
rear folding seats, and liftgate
hinges. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to
a corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with
a clean cloth will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
(g)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired and
the fluid level checked. Add fluid if
needed.(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-17 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.(j)Check system for interference or
binding and for damaged or missing
parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have
high effort or excessive wear. Do not
lubricate accelerator or cruise control
cables.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(l)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
(m)Change transfer case fluid if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
6-8 Maintenance Schedule

Cleaning (cont.)
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces......................5-80
Interior............................5-78
Leather...........................5-80
Tires...............................5-83
Underbody Maintenance....5-84
Washing Your Vehicle........5-81
Weatherstrips...................5-81
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades..........5-82
Climate Control System.........3-19
Outlet Adjustment.............3-27
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System.............3-28
Rear Air Conditioning
and Heating System,
Electronic.....................3-29
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic.................3-22
Clock, Setting......................3-74
Collision Damage Repair.......7-10
Compact Spare Tire.............5-77
Compass............................3-54
Compressor Kit,
Tire Sealant.....................5-57Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-16
Control of a Vehicle............... 4-3
Convenience Net.................2-55
Coolant
Engine............................5-17
Engine
Temperature Gage.........3-38
Engine Temperature
Warning Light...............3-38
Cooled Seats........................ 1-5
Cooling System...................5-17
Courtesy Lamps...................3-14
Courtesy Transportation.......... 7-9
Cruise Control....................... 3-9
Cruise Control Light..............3-43
Cupholders.........................2-52
Customer Assistance.............. 7-4
Offices.............................. 7-5
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users............................ 7-4
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information......7-15
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure......................... 7-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision......7-10
Data Recorders
Event..............................7-16
Daytime Running Lamps/
Automatic Headlamp
System...........................3-12
Defensive Driving................... 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting..........3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting............3-15
Delayed Headlamps.............3-12
Delayed Locking.................... 2-8
DIC Compass......................3-54
Disc, MP3...................3-92, 3-96
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override...........3-14
Dome Lamps .......................3-14
Door
Delayed Locking................. 2-8
Locks............................... 2-8
Power Door Locks.............. 2-8
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.................... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-9
INDEX i-3

Hood
Checking Things Under....... 5-9
Release............................ 5-9
Horn .................................... 3-5
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-17
I
Ignition Positions..................2-21
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-29
Ination - Tire Pressure.........5-42
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-13
Cluster............................3-31
Overview........................... 3-4
Storage Area....................2-52
Introduction........................... 6-1
J
Jump Starting......................5-29
K
Keyless Entry, Remote
Operation.......................... 2-4
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........5-37
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........3-39
Lamps
Courtesy.........................3-14
Dome .............................3-14
Dome Lamp Override........3-14
Reading..........................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-22
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-35
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide.............2-10
Liftgate, Power....................2-11
Lighting
Delayed Entry..................3-15
Delayed Exit....................3-15
Entry..............................3-14
Parade Dimming...............3-15Lights
Airbag Readiness.............3-33
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............3-37
Brake System Warning......3-36
Charging System..............3-34
Cruise Control..................3-43
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....3-38
Exterior Lamps.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass..................... 3-7
Highbeam On...................3-43
High/Low Beam Changer..... 3-7
Oil Pressure.....................3-42
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................3-33
Safety Belt Reminders.......3-32
Security...........................3-43
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........3-37
Tire Pressure...................3-39
Tow/Haul Mode................3-43
Loading Your Vehicle............4-16
Locks
Delayed Locking................. 2-8
Door ................................. 2-8
Lockout Protection.............. 2-9
i-6 INDEX