engine overheat CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2018 User Guide

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
282 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 283
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 284
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 291
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 293
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 298
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Battery - North America . . . . . . 302
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 303
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 304
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 304
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 306
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Sidemarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 308
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Electrical System Overload . . . 309
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 310
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 320
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 338

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Vehicle Care 295
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant needs to be
checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See
Maintenance Schedule 0365.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0298.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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296 Vehicle Care
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is
done. See
Engine Overheating
0 298.
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 286.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Vehicle Care 297
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
298 Vehicle Care
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of the engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0138.
The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 384.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
(Continued)

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Vehicle Care 299
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary. 3. When it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the
overheated area, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0286 for
reservoir location.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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310 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
{Danger
Fuses and circuit breakers are
marked with their ampere rating.
Do not exceed the
specified amperage rating when
replacing fuses and circuit
breakers. Use of an oversized
fuse or circuit breaker can result
in a vehicle fire. You and others
could be seriously injured or
killed.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating. Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
possible.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The underhood fuse block is in the
engine compartment, on the driver
side of the vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Index 409
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 259
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 217
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 219
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 237
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 144
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 310 Electrical System (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 286
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 231
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 392 Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 166
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 170
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 292
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 261
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 413
Operation (cont'd)Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 178
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 389
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Parking
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 304
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 230
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Parking or Backing
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 256
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 91
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 145 Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . . 284
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Phone Apple CarPlay andAndroid Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191, 192
Hands-Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 228
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 82
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 392
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 386
Proposition
65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .283, 302, 348, Back Cover
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 390
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
RadiosAM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Rear Climate Control System . . . 203
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 256
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 126
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Records
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 351
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96