automatic transmission CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Features and
Controls
KeysKeys...................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System.....................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation.......2-4
Remote Vehicle Start.............2-6
Doors and LocksDoor Locks..........................2-8
Power Door Locks.................2-8
Delayed Locking...................2-8
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.........................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.......2-9
Lockout Protection.................2-9
Liftgate...............................2-10
Power Liftgate.....................2-11
WindowsWindows............................2-14
Power Windows..................2-14
Sun Visors.........................2-16
Theft-Deterrent SystemsTheft-Deterrent Systems.......2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent........2-16
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer.......................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation.........2-18
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In...........2-20
Ignition Positions.................2-21
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................2-22
Starting the Engine..............2-22
Engine Coolant Heater.........2-23
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................2-24
Tow/Haul Mode...................2-26
Parking Brake.....................2-27
Shifting Into Park.................2-28
Shifting Out of Park.............2-29
Parking Over Things
That Burn.........................2-29
Engine Exhaust...................2-30
Running the Vehicle While
Parked.............................2-30
MirrorsManual Rearview Mirror........2-31
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror.................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..........2-32
Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors.............................2-33
Blind Spot Mirrors................2-34
Park Tilt Mirrors..................2-35
Outside Convex Mirror..........2-35
Outside Heated Mirrors.........2-35
Object Detection SystemsUltrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)...................2-36
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)...................2-38
OnStar®SystemOnStar®System..................2-43
Universal Home Remote
System
Universal Home Remote
System.............................2-47
Universal Home Remote
System Operation..............2-47
Features and Controls 2-1

3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailerin the area where you will be
parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Automatic Transmission
Operation
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-28. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-25.
Make sure the shift lever is fully
in P (Park) before starting the
engine. The vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You must fully apply
the regular brake rst and then
2-24 Features and Controls

Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle’s speed while
driving down hill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. When
using the ERS Mode a number will
display next to the L, indicating
the current gear that has been
selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press the plus/minus button
located on the shift lever, to
increase or decrease the gear
range available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to
L (Low), the transmission will shift to
a pre-determined lower gear range.
The highest gear available for
this pre-determined range is
displayed next to the L in the DIC.SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-44andDIC Operation
and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-45orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on
page 3-51for more information.
The number displayed in the
DIC is the highest gear that the
transmission will be allowed
to operate in. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. For example, when
4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are automatically shifted by
the vehicle. The transmission will
not shift into 5 (Fifth) until the
+ (Plus) button is used or you shift
back into D (Drive).
While in L (Low), the transmission
will prevent shifting to a lower
gear range if the engine speed is
too high. You have a brief period of
time to slow the vehicle. If vehicle
speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. You mustfurther slow the vehicle, then press
the−(Minus) button to the
desired lower gear range.
Automatic Engine Grade braking is
not available when the ERS is active.
It is available in D (Drive) for both
normal and Tow/Haul mode. While
using the ERS, cruise control and the
tow/haul mode can be used. See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-26for
more information.
Tow/Haul Mode
_
(Tow/Haul):The vehicle may
have a Tow/Haul mode.
The button is located on the
instrument panel under the climate
controls.
Push the button to activate the
system. Push it again to deactivate
the system. You can use this
feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load.
2-26 Features and Controls

When Tow/Haul is activated the
Tow/Haul symbol will come on the
instrument panel cluster. See
“Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a
Trailer on page 4-25for more
information.
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal
is no longer being pressed.
While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the
driver to select a range and limiting
the highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-36.Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature wear
or damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down,
then push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull
your foot up off the park brake
pedal. If the parking brake is
not released when you begin to
drive, the brake system warning light
will be on and a chime will sound
warning you that the parking
brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-25.
Features and Controls 2-27

{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 2-28.
If parking on a hill and pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-25.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror
to see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side.
Use the day/night adjustment to help
prevent glare from the headlamps
behind you. Move the lever to the
right for nighttime use and to the left
for daytime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have
three additional control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror.
See your dealer/retailer for more
information about OnStar and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar
®System
on page 2-43for more information on
the services OnStar provides.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have
three additional control buttons for
the OnStar
®system. See your
dealer/retailer for more information
about OnStar
®and how to subscribe
to it. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-43for more information about
the services OnStar
®provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear
Vision Camera (RVC). SeeRear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-38
for more information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
Obutton
will not be available.
Features and Controls 2-31

An arrow on the fuel gage indicates
the side of the vehicle the fuel
door is on.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
show a problem with the fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas
pump shuts off before the gage
reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel
to ll up than the gage indicated.
For example, the gage might have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
The gage does not go back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver
Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about
your vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC
display located at the top of the
instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the
ignition is on. After a short delay,
the DIC will display the information
that was last displayed before
the engine was turned off.
The DIC also displays a shift lever
position indicator on the bottom
line of the display. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on
page 2-24for more information.
The outside air temperature
and compass, if equipped, also
displays on the DIC when viewing
the trip and fuel information.The outside air temperature
automatically appears in the top
right corner of the DIC display.
If there is a problem with the system
that controls the temperature display,
the numbers will be replaced with
dashes. If this occurs, have the
vehicle serviced. The compass
will be shown in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. SeeDIC
Compass on page 3-54for more
information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons,
see “DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)” later in
this section andDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-65for the displays available.
If your vehicle does not have
DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation
and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)”
later in this section for the displays
available.
3-44 Instrument Panel

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

Notice: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.
Notice:If 65 mph (105 km/h) is
exceeded while towing the
vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing the vehicle.Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse
to the underhood fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park),
turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and remove the key from
the ignition.
4. Disconnect the vehicle from the
towing vehicle.
Notice:Do not tow a vehicle
with the front drive wheels on the
ground if one of the front tires
is a compact spare tire. Towing
with two different tire sizes on the
front of the vehicle can cause
severe damage to the
transmission.Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four
wheels off of the ground or dinghy
towed from the front.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-23

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load. The purpose
of the Tow/Haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and
improve the predictability of
transmission shifts when pulling
a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed
while requiring less throttle pedal
activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Increase the charging system
voltage to assist in recharging
a battery installed in a trailer.Press this button located on the
console to turn on and turn off the
Tow/Haul mode.
The Tow/Haul light on the instrument
panel will come on to indicate that
Tow/Haul mode has been selected.
Tow/Haul may be turned off by
pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the
instrument panel will turn off. The
vehicle will automatically turn off
Tow/Haul every time it is started.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).See Weight of the Trailer earlier in
this section. Tow/Haul is most useful
under the following driving
conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through rolling
terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop and go
traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benet to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection
when unloaded may result in
unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced
fuel economy. Tow/Haul is
recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
4-32 Driving Your Vehicle

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not
shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
start the engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-3
for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system and brake system.
It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with the
following wiring harness for towing
a trailer.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-33