check oil CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2018 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10603118) - 2018 - CRC - 1/29/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 39
start to have the vehicle in view.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System032.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
1. Press and release
Qon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash. The
turn signal lamps flashing
confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been
received.
During the remote start the
doors will be locked and the
parking lamps will remain on as
long as the engine is running.
The engine will shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension is done or the
vehicle is started. 3. With the RKE transmitter in the
vehicle, press the brake pedal
and start the vehicle to drive.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can also be
extended by another 10 minutes,
if during the first 10 minutes
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An
extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting. This
provides a total of 20 minutes.
The remote start can only be
extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10-minute period is
added on to the first 10 minutes for
a total of 20 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts,
or a remote start with an extension,
are allowed between ignition cycles.
The ignition must be turned on and
then off before the remote start
procedure can be used again. Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of
the following:
.
Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if
any of the following occur:
. A transmitter is in the vehicle.
. The hood is not closed.
. The hazard warning flashers
are on.
. There is an emission control
system malfunction.
. The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts or a
start with an extension have
already been used.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 123
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 124
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 124
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 125
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 125
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 139
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 140
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 141
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 141
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Service Electric Parking Brake Light (Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . 144
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 145
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 145
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 146
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 147
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Low Fuel Warning Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 148
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 149
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 149
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 149
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 153
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 153
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 154
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 162
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 147
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeTire
Pressure 0326.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0328.Engine Oil Pressure Light
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity.
On some models, the oil pump will
vary engine oil pressure according
to engine needs. Oil pressure may
change quickly as the engine speed
or load varies. This is normal. If the
oil pressure warning light or Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
indicates oil pressure outside the
normal operating range, check the
vehicle's oil as soon as possible.
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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270 Driving and Operating
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16 –50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0141. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see
“Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0269.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0269.
If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 275
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0235.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating 0298.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
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 flat 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.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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276 Driving and Operating
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift 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.
. 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 the
Maintenance Schedule 0365.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 298.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0223.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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Vehicle Care 289
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0293.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 294.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0301.
6. Battery - North America 0302.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0294.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0348.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 299.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0310.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0348.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0291.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0286 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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290 Vehicle Care
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
2.0L L4 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0377.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 286 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0373.

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292 Vehicle Care
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system
has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on to
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed
when the OIL LIFE REMAINING
percentage is near 0%. Your dealer
has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check
the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0150.
2. Press and hold
Vfor several
seconds. The oil life will
change to 100%. The oil life system can also be reset
as follows:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0150.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the
display shows 100%, the
system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message and it
comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the OIL LIFE
REMAINING is near 0%, the engine
oil life system has not been reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak