engine oil CHEVROLET TRAX 2018 User Guide

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354406) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
192 Driving and Operating
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
3 (START) :This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/
OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
If the ignition becomes difficult to
turn, see Keys (Keyless Access)
0 28 orKeys (Key Access) 029.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeAdd-On Electrical Equipment
0 224.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
may occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle
when it is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down to the
floor and start the engine.
Starting Procedure (Key Access) 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the
ignition.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 193
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Starting Procedure (Keyless
Access) 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter
must be in the vehicle. Press
ENGINE START/STOP with the
brake pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go
of the button.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it.
If the RKE transmitter is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the RKE
transmitter battery is low, the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
will display a message. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0127 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Key Access) 031 or
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Keyless
Access) 034.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold ENGINE START/

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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194 Driving and Operating
STOP, for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down.
When the engine starts, let go
of the button and the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
follow the same steps. This
clears the extra gasoline from
the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
Vehicles with the 1.4L engine may
have an engine heater. The engine
heater can help in cold weather
conditions at or below−18 °C (0 °F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the heater at least four hours
before starting the vehicle. An internal thermostat in the plug end
of the cord will prevent engine
heater operation at temperatures
above
−18 °C (0 °F).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
located in the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the
battery. It is shipped from the
factory with a tie holding it in
place. Use care in removing
the tie so that the cord is not
damaged.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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222 Driving and Operating
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. SeeFuel0221.
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.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death. . To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Do not use a cell phone
while refueling.
. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way. The fuel cap is behind a hinged fuel
door at the rear driver side of the
vehicle.
If equipped, the fuel door is locked
when the vehicle doors are locked.
Press
Kon the RKE transmitter to
unlock.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. The fuel
cap has a spring in it; if the cap is
released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 227
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 228
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 236
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 238
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 238
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 244
Power Steering Fluid (1.4L L4 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Power Steering Fluid (1.8L L4
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Battery - North America . . . . . . 249
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 250
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 251
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 251
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 252
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 255
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 260
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 260
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 261
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 270
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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232 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0238.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0234.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 240.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0234.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0240.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0247 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0238.
7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0261.
8. Battery - North America 0249.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 246.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0261.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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234 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0238.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
See Power Steering Fluid (1.4L
L4 Engine) 0245 orPower
Steering Fluid (1.8L L4 Engine)
0 245.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0234.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 240.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0234.
6. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0240.
7. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0247 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0238.
8. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0261.
9. Battery - North America 0249. 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 246.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0261.
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 0236. .
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
0231 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

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 235
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
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
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 0325.
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
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the MAX mark, 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
0 231 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap. Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range between the MIN and MAX
marks. 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 0321.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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236 Vehicle Care
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary and a message in the
DIC comes on. 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,

Chevrolet TRAX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 237
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. 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 each oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the system:Base Level Cluster
1. Press the MENU button to show Remaining Oil Life on the
display. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. If 99% is displayed,
that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life system, press SET/CLR while
the oil life display is active.
After a few seconds, the oil life
will be reset to 100%. Be
careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately.
If the
:% CHANGE message in
the DIC comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Uplevel Cluster
1. Turn the ignition on without starting the engine. 2. Press the DIC MENU button on
the turn signal lever to enter
the Vehicle Information Menu.
Use the thumbwheel to scroll
through the menu items until
you reach REMAINING
OIL LIFE.
3. Press SET/CLR to reset the oil life at 100%.
4. Turn the ignition off.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off and the REMAINING
OIL LIFE 100% message is
displayed. If the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes back on
when the vehicle is started, the
engine oil life system has not been
reset. Repeat the procedure.