trailer CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

If the PASS-Key®III+ key is lost or
damaged, see your dealer/retailer
or a locksmith to have a new
key made.
The SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM message displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when there is a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56for additional information.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
If you have all-wheel drive,
keep your speed at 55 mph
(88 km/h) or less for the
rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-25for the
trailer towing capabilities
of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
2-20 Features and Controls

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

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be 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. 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, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-25.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27for
more information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing the
shift lever all the way toward
the front of the vehicle.3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch
re. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine running.If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever
into P (Park), hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pushing the
button.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in P (Park).Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the
vehicle puts too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill
and shifting the transmission into
P (Park) is not done properly and
then it is difficult to shift out of
P (Park). To prevent torque lock, set
the parking brake and then shift into
P (Park). To nd out how, see
“Shifting Into Park” listed previously.
2-28 Features and Controls

{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

When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the URPA system does not
activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK
ASSIST OFF displays on the DIC
and a red light will be shown on the
rear URPA display when the shift
lever is moved into R (Reverse).
This may occur under the following
conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The ultrasonic sensors are
not clean. Keep the vehicle’s rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 5-81.
A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an object
was hanging out of the liftgate
during the last drive cycle, the red
light may illuminate in the rear
display. Once the attached object
is removed, URPA will return to
normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer to repair the
system.
Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after
driving forward at least 15 mph
(25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The vehicle may have a Rear Vision
Camera system. Read this entire
section before using it.
{CAUTION
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
system does not replace driver
vision. RVC does not:
Detect objects that are
outside the camera’s eld of
view, below the bumper, or
underneath the vehicle.
Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
Do not back the vehicle by only
looking at the rear vision camera
screen, or use the screen during
longer, higher speed backing
maneuvers or where there could
be cross-traffic. Your judged
distances using the screen will
differ from actual distances.
(Continued)
2-38 Features and Controls

When the battery’s state of charge is
low, the voltage is raised slightly to
quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent
overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move
up or down. This is normal. If there is
a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles. This
is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at
idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on,
such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does
this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical
needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power,
whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur
in steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56.Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature helps prevent
the battery from being drained,
if the interior courtesy lamps,
reading/map lamps, visor vanity
lamps or trunk lamp are accidentally
left on. If any of these lamps are left
on, they automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off.
The lamps will not come back on
again until one of the following
occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The exterior lamps control is
turned off, then on again.
The headlamps will timeout after
10 minutes, if they are manually
turned on with the ignition on or off.
3-16 Instrument Panel

If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the
emission controls might not
work as well, the vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds, and restart the engine.
If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/
retailer for service as soon as
possible.
3-40 Instrument Panel

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