Chevrolet 2009 Traverse User manual

Seats and Restraint
System ............................... 1-1
Head Restraints .............. 1-2
Front Seats .................... 1-3
Rear Seats .................... 1-9
Safety Belts .................. 1-14
Child Restraints ............. 1-27
Airbag System .............. 1-46
Restraint System
Check ...................... 1-59
Features and Controls ...... 2-1
Keys ............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks ............ 2-8
Windows ...................... 2-14
Theft-Deterrent
Systems ................... 2-16
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle ............. 2-20
Mirrors ......................... 2-31
Object Detection
Systems ................... 2-36
OnStar
®
System ............ 2-43
Universal Home Remote
System ..................... 2-47
Storage Areas ............... 2-52
Sunroof ........................ 2-56
Instrument Panel ............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview .................... 3-4
Climate Controls ............ 3-19
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators ............ 3-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC) ............. 3-44
Audio System(s) ............ 3-73
Driving Your Vehicle ......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle ........... 4-1
Towing ........................ 4-21
Service and
Appearance Care ............... 5-1
Service .......................... 5-3
Fuel .............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood .................... 5-9
Headlamp Aiming .......... 5-33
Bulb Replacement ......... 5-33
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement ............. 5-35
Tires ........................... 5-36
Appearance Care .......... 5-78
Vehicle Identification ...... 5-85
Electrical System ........... 5-85
Capacities and
Specifications ............ 5-92
Maintenance Schedule ...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information ........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information ................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects ..................... 7-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy ............... 7-16
Index ....................................i-1
2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual M

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM
Emblem, CHEVROLET, the
CHEVROLET Emblem, are
registered trademarks, and the
name Traverse is a trademark of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest
information at the time it was
printed. GM reserves the right to
make changes after that time
without further notice. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, substitute
the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor
Division wherever it appears in
this manual.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle.
Read this owner manual from
beginning to end to learn about the
vehicle’s features and controls.
Pictures, symbols, and words work
together to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès de
concessionnaire ou à l’adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Index
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
ii Preface
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25792022 B Second Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Safety Warnings and
Symbols
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do Not,”
“Do not do this” or “Do not let this
happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is
used to tell about things that could
hurt you or others if you were to
ignore the warning.
{CAUTION
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and
what to do to avoid or reduce the
hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that
can damage the vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is
something that could damage
your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not
be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty, and it could be costly. The
notice tells what to do to help
avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on
the vehicle which use the same
words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Preface iii

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Seats and
Restraint System
Head Restraints
Head Restraints ....................1-2
Front Seats
Manual Seats .......................1-3
Seat Height Adjuster ..............1-3
Power Seats .........................1-4
Manual Lumbar .....................1-4
Power Lumbar ......................1-5
Heated Seats .......................1-5
Heated and Cooled Seats ......1-5
Memory Seat and Mirrors .......1-6
Reclining Seatbacks ..............1-8
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation ..............1-9
Third Row Seats .................1-12
Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for
Everyone ..........................1-14
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly ............................1-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt ................1-22
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy ........................1-26
Safety Belt Extender ............1-27
Child Restraints
Older Children .....................1-27
Infants and Young
Children ............................1-29
Child Restraint Systems ........1-32
Where to Put the
Restraint ...........................1-33
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH) ..........1-35
Securing a Child Restraint
in a Rear Seat Position ......1-41
Securing a Child Restraint
in the Right Front Seat
Position ............................1-43
Airbag System
Airbag System ....................1-46
Where Are the Airbags? .......1-48
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? .............................1-49
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? .............................1-51
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? ..........................1-51
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates? .............1-51
Passenger Sensing System ...1-53
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .....1-57
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .....1-58
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint
Systems ...........................1-59
Replacing Restraint System
Parts After a Crash ............1-60
Seats and Restraint System 1-1

Head Restraints
The vehicle’s front seats have
adjustable head restraints in all
outboard seating positions.
{CAUTION
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal
injury in a crash. Do not drive until
the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Pull the head restraint up to raise it.
To lower the head restraint, press
the release button, located on
the head restraint post on the top of
the seatback, while you push the
head restraint down.
Push down on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
1-2 Seats and Restraint System

Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
A. Manual Seat Adjustment Bar
B. Driver Seat Height Adjuster. See
Seat Height Adjuster on
page 1-3.
C. Manual Reclining Seatback
Lever. See Reclining Seatbacks
on page 1-8.
If the vehicle has a manual bucket
seat you can adjust the seat
forward or rearward with the bar
located under the front of the seat
cushion.
Lift the bar to unlock the seat. Slide
the seat to where you want it
and release the bar. Try to move
the seat with your body to be
sure the seat is locked in place.
Seat Height Adjuster
If the vehicle has a manual driver
seat height adjuster, it is located on
the outboard side of the seat.
See Manual Seats on page 1-3 for
more information. To raise the
seat, move the lever upward
repeatedly until the seat is at the
desired height. To lower the
seat, move the lever downward
repeatedly until the seat is at
the desired height.
Seats and Restraint System 1-3

Power Seats
A. Power Seat Adjustment Control
B. Reclining Seatbacks on
page 1-8.
C. Power Lumbar on page 1-5.
If the vehicle has power seats, the
controls are located on the
outboard side of the seats.
Move the seat forward or rearward
by sliding the power seat
adjustment control (A) forward or
rearward.
The vehicle may have additional
features to adjust the power seat:
•Raise or lower the entire seat
by moving the power seat
adjustment control (A) up
or down.
•Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving
the front of the control up
or down.
•Raise or lower the rear part of
the seat cushion by moving
the rear of the control up
or down.
The vehicle may have a memory
function which allows seat settings
to be saved and recalled. See
Memory Seat and Mirrors on
page 1-6 for more information.
Manual Lumbar
If the vehicle has this feature, the
handle is located on the inboard side
of the seatback. See Manual
Seats on page 1-3 for more
information.
Turn the handle rearward to
decrease lumbar support. Turn the
handle forward to increase
lumbar support.
The lumbar support may need to be
adjusted when changing the
seating position.
Driver Seat with Power Seat
Control, Power Recline, and
Power Lumbar shown
1-4 Seats and Restraint System

Power Lumbar
If the seats have power lumbar, the
controls used to operate this
feature are located on the outboard
side of the seats. See “Power
Lumbar” under Power Seats on
page 1-4 for more information.
To increase or decrease lumbar
support, press and hold the front
or rear of the control (C).
Release the control when the
seatback reaches the desired level
of lumbar support.
The lumbar support may need to
be adjusted when changing
the seating position.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats,
the controls are located on the center
console. To operate the heated seats
the engine must be running.
I(Heated Seatback): Press to
turn on the heated seatback.
J(Heated Seat and Seatback):
Press to turn on or off the heated
seat and seatback.
The light on the button will come
on to indicate that the feature is on.
Each time the button is pressed, the
temperature settings change from
high, to medium, to low, to off.
Indicator lights above the button
will show the level of heat
selected: three for high, two
for medium, and one for low.
The passenger seat may take longer
to heat up.
If the vehicle has remote vehicle
start and is started using the remote
keyless entry transmitter, the front
heated seats will be turned on to the
high setting if it is cold outside.
See “Remote Vehicle Start” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4.
When the ignition is turned on, the
heated seat feature will turn off.
To turn the heated seat feature back
on, press the desired button.
Heated and Cooled Seats
If the front seats have the heated
and cooled seat feature, the buttons
used to control this feature are
located on the front doors near
the door handle.
H(Cooled Seat): To cool the
entire seat, press the button with
the cooled seat symbol.
This symbol will appear on the
climate control display to indicate
that the feature is on. Press the
button to cycle through the
temperature settings of high,
medium, and low and to turn the
cooled seat off. Indicator bars next
to the symbol designate the level of
cooling selected: three for high, two
for medium, and one for low.
Seats and Restraint System 1-5

z(Heated Seat and Seatback): To
heat the entire seat, press the
button with the heated seat and
seatback symbol.
This symbol will appear on the
climate control display to indicate
that the feature is on. Press the
button to cycle through the
temperature settings of high,
medium, and low and to turn the
heated seat off. Indicator bars next to
the symbol designate the level of
heat selected: three for high, two for
medium, and one for low.
The heated and cooled seats will
be canceled after the ignition is
turned off. To use the heated and
cooled seat feature after the vehicle
is started, you will need to press the
appropriate seat button again.
Memory Seat and Mirrors
On vehicles with the memory
package, the controls for this feature
are located on the driver door
panel. The controls are used to
program and recall memory settings
for the driver seat and outside
mirrors.
To save positions in memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, including
the seatback recliner and both
outside mirrors to a comfortable
position.
See Outside Power Mirrors on
page 2-32 for more information.
Not all mirrors will have the
ability to save and recall
the mirror positions.
2. Press and hold button 1 until
two beeps let you know that
the position has been stored.
A second seating and mirror position
can be programmed by repeating
the above steps and pressing
button 2.
To recall the memory positions, the
vehicle must be in P (Park). Press
and release either button 1 or
button 2 corresponding to the
desired driving position. The seat
and outside mirrors will move to the
position previously stored. You will
hear a single beep.
Using the RKE transmitter to
enter the vehicle, with the remote
recall memory feature on, causes
automatic seat and mirror
adjustment. There is no adjustment
when the position has not been
changed by another seating
position or the easy exit feature.
1-6 Seats and Restraint System

See “MEMORY SEAT RECALL”
under DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65 for
more information.
To stop recall movement of the
memory feature at any time, press
one of the power seat controls,
memory buttons, or power mirror
buttons.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the driver seat recall
may stop working. If this happens,
press the appropriate control for
the area that is not recalling
for two seconds, after the
obstruction is removed. Then try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate
memory button. If the memory
position is still not being recalled,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
Easy Exit Seat
The control for this feature is
located on the driver door panel
between buttons 1 and 2.
With the vehicle in P (Park), the
exit position can be recalled
by pressing the exit button. You will
hear a single beep. The driver
seat will move back.
If the easy exit seat feature is on in
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
automatic seat movement will occur
when the key is removed from the
ignition. See “EASY EXIT SEAT”
under DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65 for
more information.
Further programming for the
memory seat feature can be done
using the DIC. You can select
or cancel the following:
•The automatic easy exit seat
feature.
•The remote memory seat recall
feature.
For programming information, see
DIC Vehicle Customization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 3-65.
Seats and Restraint System 1-7

Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
In vehicles with seats that have
manual reclining seatbacks, the lever
used to operate them is located on
the outboard side of the seat.
To recline the seatback, do the
following:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired
position, then release the lever to
lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position, do the following:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
In vehicles with seats that have
power reclining seatbacks,
the control used to recline them is
located on the outboard side of
the seat behind the power
seat control. See Power Seats on
page 1-4 for more information.
•To recline the seatback, tilt the
top of the control rearward.
•To bring the seatback forward, tilt
the top of the control forward.
1-8 Seats and Restraint System

{CAUTION
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job when reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its
job because it will not be against
your body. Instead, it will be in
front of you. In a crash, you could
go into it, receiving neck or other
injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job
either. In a crash, the belt could
go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at
your pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if
your vehicle is moving.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
A. Seat Adjustment Handle
B. Reclining Seatback Strap
C. Sliding Seat Lever
Seats and Restraint System 1-9

Entering and Exiting the
Third Row
{CAUTION
Using the third row seating
position while the second row is
folded, or folded and tumbled,
could cause injury in a sudden stop
or crash. Be sure to return the seat
to the passenger seating position.
Push and pull on the seat to make
sure it is locked into place.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
To access the third row:
1. Remove objects on the floor in
front of or on the second row
seat, or in the seat tracks on
the floor.
2. Move the front center console
armrest completely forward.
See Center Console Storage on
page 2-52.
3. Place folding armrests in the
upright position.
4. Ensure that the safety belt is
unfastened and in the stowed
position.
5. Pull the sliding seat lever (C)
forward and move the seatback
forward. The seat cushion
will fold, and the entire seat will
slide forward.
1-10 Seats and Restraint System

Returning the Seat to the
Seating Position
To return the second row seat to its
normal seating position:
1. Remove objects on the floor
behind the second row seat
or in the seat tracks on the floor.
2. Pull the seatback rearward until it
is locked in place.
3. Slide the seat rearward by
pushing on the seatback until it is
locked into place.
4. Push down on the rear of the
seat cushion until it is locked
in place.
5. Push and pull on the seatback
and seat cushion to make sure
they are locked in place.
6. Check that the safety belt is not
under the seat cushion.
Reclining the Seatbacks
To recline the seatback:
1. Leaning forward in the seat, pull
the reclining seatback strap (B).
2. Move the seatback to the desired
position, then release the strap
to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Folding the Rear Seat
To fold the second row seats:
1. Remove anything on or under
the seat.
2. Place the armrest in the upright
position, and unfasten the
safety belt.
3. Pull forward on the reclining
seatback strap (B) and push
down on the seatback.
If the headrest touches the front
seat, slide the second row
seat rearward.
To return the seatback to the
seating position, lift the upper corner
of the seatback and push it
rearward until it locks into place.
Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
Adjusting the Seats
To adjust the second row seats, pull
outward on the seat adjustment
handle (A). Slide the seat forward or
rearward to the desired position.
Release the handle and push and
pull on the seat to make sure it is
locked.
Seats and Restraint System 1-11

Third Row Seats
{CAUTION
Using the third row seating
position while the second row is
folded, or pushed forward in the
entry position, could cause injury
in a sudden stop or crash. Be
sure to return the seat to the
passenger seating position. Push
and pull on the seat to make sure
it is locked into place.
The third row seats can be folded
forward or removed.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
To fold the seatback:
1. Remove anything on or under
the seat.
2. Disconnect the rear safety belt
mini-latch, using a key in the
slot on the mini-buckle, let
the belt retract into the headliner.
Stow the mini-latch in the
holder located in the headliner.
3. Pull up on the release lever
located on the back of the
seat. The headrest moves
forward automatically.
4. Push the seatback forward to
lay flat.
To return the seatback to the
seating position:
1. Raise the seatback into place by
using the pullstrap from the rear
of the vehicle, or by pushing
it into place from inside the
vehicle.
1-12 Seats and Restraint System

2. The headrest must be locked
into place before sitting in
the seat.
{CAUTION
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked in place.
{CAUTION
A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
4. Reconnect the center safety belt
mini-latch to the mini-buckle.
Do not let it twist.
5. Pull on the safety belt to be sure
the mini-latch is secure.
Removing the Third
Row Seats
1. Remove the cargo management
system, if it is in the vehicle.
See Cargo Management System
on page 2-55.
2. Remove anything on or under
the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
3. Fold the seatback down. See
“Folding the Seatback” earlier
in this section.
4. Remove the rear bolts located on
the floor on each side of the seat.
5. Remove the seat by tilting it
slightly upward, and then
pulling it out of the rear of
the vehicle in one motion.
6. Replace the bolts in the floor
holes for storage.
Installing the Third Row Seats
1. Before installing the seat the
seatback must be folded forward.
See “Folding the Seatback”
earlier in this section.
The seats must be placed in the
proper locations to attach
correctly. The wider seat must be
installed on the driver side and
the narrower seat on the
passenger side.
Seats and Restraint System 1-13

Remove the bolts from the holes
in the floor before installing the
seats.
2. Place the seat on the vehicle
floor so that the front seat
hooks are on the vehicle bars.
3. Reinstall the bolts, and torque to
55 Y(41 lb ft). Pull up on the
seat to make sure it is locked
in place.
4. Raise the seatback to its upright
position. Push and pull on the
seatback to make sure it is
locked into place.
5. Push the headrest up into
position. Push and pull on
the headrest to make sure it is
locked into place.
6. Reconnect the center safety belt
mini-latch to the mini-buckle. Do
not let it twist.
Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are
for Everyone
This section of the manual describes
how to use safety belts properly.
It also describes some things not to
do with safety belts.
{CAUTION
Do not let anyone ride where a
safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, the injuries can be
much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be
ejected from the vehicle. You and
your passenger(s) can be
seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might not be, if
you are buckled up. Always fasten
your safety belt, and check that
your passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
{CAUTION
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in
your vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 3-32 for additional information.
In most states and in all Canadian
provinces, the law requires wearing
safety belts. Here is why:
You never know if you will be in a
crash. If you do have a crash,
you do not know if it will be a
serious one.
1-14 Seats and Restraint System

A few crashes are mild, and some
crashes can be so serious that even
buckled up, a person would not
survive. But most crashes are
in between. In many of them, people
who buckle up can survive and
sometimes walk away. Without
safety belts they could have been
badly hurt or killed.
After more than 40 years of safety
belts in vehicles, the facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything,
you go as fast as it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose
it is just a seat on wheels.
Put someone on it.
Seats and Restraint System 1-15

Get it up to speed. Then stop the
vehicle. The rider does not stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real
vehicle, it could be the windshield...
or the instrument panel...
or the safety belts!
1-16 Seats and Restraint System