traction control CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2019 Owner's Guide

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
Driving and Operating 241
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel slip and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of thevehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow. TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically
turn on when cruise control is set.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0220
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
242 Driving and Operating
2. Turn the engine off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
4. Drive the vehicle.
If
dcomes on and stays on, see
your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
gon the center console.
The Traction Off light
idisplays in
the instrument cluster. To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 291.
Driver Mode Control
If equipped with Front-Wheel Drive
(FWD), the Driver Mode Control
may have the following modes:
FWD, Snow, and Tow/Haul.
If equipped with All-Wheel Drive
(AWD), the Driver Mode Control
may have AWD, Two-Wheel Drive
(2WD), Off-Road, and Tow/Haul.
There may be Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages displayed
for each drive mode.
Driver Mode Control Knob
for FWD

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146157) - 2019 - CRC - 10/31/18
Driving and Operating 243
Driver Mode Control Knobfor AWD
Rotate the Driver Mode Control
knob to make a mode selection. The
icons on the knob will illuminate to
indicate which mode is active.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message will indicate that the mode
is on when switching to different
modes.
5(AWD Only) orq(FWD
Only) : Vehicle is in either
Front-Wheel Drive for non AWD
vehicles, or Two-Wheel Drive for
AWD vehicles. This mode will
remain active through future ignition
cycles. This setting either puts the
vehicle in Two-Wheel Drive (AWD
vehicles) or is the normal drive
mode (FWD vehicles). Use this
mode for normal driving conditions.
This is the most fuel efficient drive
mode. See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 027.
4(AWD Only) : Vehicle is in AWD
Mode. This mode will remain active
through future ignition cycles. AWD
Mode provides drive torque to all
four wheels. Use this mode for
driving conditions that require
improved traction such as gravel, sand, wet pavement, snow, and ice.
AWD may turn off and display a
message on the DIC in instances of
extensive use or overheating.
When in AWD Mode, the AWD
Mode indicator will be on. For more
information on AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel Drive
0237.
6(FWD Only) : Vehicle is in Snow
Mode. This mode will not remain
active through future ignition cycles.
The vehicle will be in Front-Wheel
Drive when the engine is restarted.
Snow Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice
covered roads. The accelerator
pedal will be more sensitive to
provide finer control of the torque at
the wheels in slippery conditions.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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246 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph). If the Traction Control System (TCS)
or StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system begins to limit
wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0241. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0261. When
road conditions allow the cruise
control to be safely used, cruise
control can be turned back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage the
cruise control.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J: Press to turn the system on
and off. A white indicator appears in
the instrument cluster when cruise
is turned on.
RES+ : If there is a set speed in
memory, press briefly to resume to
that speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If the cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET− :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If the cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle
speed.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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248 Driving and Operating
While pressing the accelerator pedal
or shortly following the release to
override cruise, briefly applying
SET−will result in cruise set to the
current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. While on a hill, the
transmission may downshift in order
to use engine braking to slow the
vehicle and maintain the set speed.
Also, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed
down. If the brake pedal is applied,
cruise control disengages.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*. .
Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. Press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Jis
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows the driver to
select the cruise control set speed
and following gap. Read this entire
section before using this system.
The following gap is the following
time between your vehicle and a
vehicle detected directly ahead in
your path, moving in the same
direction. If no vehicle is detected in
your path, ACC works like regular
cruise control. ACC uses camera
and radar sensors. See Radio
Frequency Statement 0399.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can apply acceleration or
limited, moderate braking to maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle
speed when the Traction Control
System (TCS) or StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, the ACC may
automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0241. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage the
cruise control.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see “Alerting the Driver” in
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Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 253
Approaching and Following a
Vehicle
The vehicle ahead indicator is in the
instrument cluster.
The vehicle ahead indicator only
displays when a vehicle is detected
in your vehicle’s path moving in the
same direction.
If this symbol is not displaying, ACC
will not respond to or brake for
vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle
down and adjusts vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle in front at the
selected follow gap. The vehicle
speed increases or decreases to
follow the vehicle in front of you, but
will not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake
lights will come on. The automaticbraking may feel or sound different
than if the brakes were applied
manually. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a
vehicle it has never detected
moving. This can occur in
stop-and-go traffic or when a
vehicle suddenly appears due to
a vehicle ahead changing lanes.
Your vehicle may not stop and
could cause a crash. Use caution
when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while
driving and you should be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage
and the driver will need to manually
apply the brakes to slow the
vehicle if:
.
The sensors are blocked.
. The Traction Control System
(TCS) or StabiliTrak/ESC system
has activated or been disabled.
. There is a fault in the system.
. The radar falsely reports
blockage when driving in a
desert or remote area with no
other vehicle or roadside
objects. A DIC message may
display to indicate that ACC is
temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white
when ACC is no longer active.
In some cases, when ACC will not
activate, regular cruise control may
be used. See “Switching Between
ACC and Regular Cruise Control”
previously in this section. Always
consider driving conditions before
using either cruise control system.

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Driving and Operating 287
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
towing. If the vehicle is towing a
trailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake system,
StabiliTrak/ESC may also apply the
trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak/
ESC warning light will flash on the
instrument cluster. Reduce vehiclespeed by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator. If trailer
sway continues, StabiliTrak/ESC
can reduce engine torque to help
slow the vehicle. TSC will not
function if StabiliTrak/ESC is turned
off. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0241.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Equipment 0283 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 291
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 096.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0 398.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 096.

Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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342 Vehicle Care
years, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacture date is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) which is molded into
one side of the tire sidewall. The
first two digits represent the week
(01–52) and the last two digits, the
year. For example, the third week of
the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec numberwill be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0328.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires should wear out at
about the same time. See Tire
Rotation 0340. However, if it is
necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed rated
tires. Never exceed the winter

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Vehicle Care 343
tires’maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
System 0335. The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 220.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
(Continued)