Chevy Traverse Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs (Useful Guide)

The Chevy Traverse is a powerful and handsome mid-size SUV.

It’s perfect for family road trips, offering plenty of space, good fuel efficiency and high levels of comfort.

In this article we’ll give you a full breakdown of its maintenance, tune-up and running costs.

Here is the short answer to are Chevy Traverse expensive to maintain:

The Chevy Traverse has slightly above average maintenance costs. It would cost you around $656 to maintain a Traverse every year, which is higher than the average of $573 annually for midsize SUVs. A tune-up will be around $400, including the replacement of spark plugs.

Are Chevy Traverses Expensive to Maintain?

The Chevy Traverse comes with a fairly standard sticker price for the segment, and its maintenance costs are just above average compared to other mid-size SUVs.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.

Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your SUV.

Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Traverse, all data is from RepairPal:

How Much is a Tune-Up on a Traverse?

This will vary greatly depending on where you take your SUV and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Chevy dealership than your local mechanic.

You can expect to pay in the region of $350 – $450 for a fairly comprehensive Traverse tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:

• New spark plugs
• A thorough inspection of engine components
• Filters changed
• Coolant flush
• Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
• Throttle body clean
• Transmission and differential fluid change

Whilst your Traverse is under warranty it is advised you get it serviced at a registered Chevy dealership.

Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:

• They can bring more power back to your engine.
• Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
• Ensures long-term engine health and performance

Alternator Replacement Cost?

A new alternator on a Traverse will set you back between $550 – $936 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years

While the battery is used for starting your SUV when the engines off, the alternator keeps your SUV alive when the engine is running. 

The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your SUV while driving.

Oil Change Cost?

The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $119 to $128, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your SUV.

An oil change should be performed on the Traverse every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil. 

Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)

Regular oil changes are essential for the following reasons:

• Gets rid of dirt and debris, which makes your engine run slower.
• It ensures proper lubrication and promotes smooth operation for better efficiency.
• It stops your engine from overheating as old oil turns to sludge and is unable to draw heat away from the engine

Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?

This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this. 

Most Chevy Traverse models use a 24″ wiper blade on the driver side, a 21″ on the passenger side and a 13″ on the rear but be sure to double-check first.

Wiper blades for the Chevy Traverse can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free. 

However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $77 to $84 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.

Air Filter Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Chevy Traverse is between $96 to $122, not including taxes and fees.

The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.

Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover. 

This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also. 

Battery Replacement Cost?

According to Kelley Blue Book, the cost of a battery replacement for a Chevy Traverse should cost between $199 and $235.

Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.

In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

To get the most life from your battery:

1. Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your SUV can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
2. Limit short rides: Short rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
3. Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

New Brakes Cost?

The average cost to replace your Traverse brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $264 and $307.

Chevy Traverse brake pads can last between 20,000 to 25,000 miles in very severe use (such as heavy-traffic urban areas) and 40,000 to 60,000 miles in average use. 

• Necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.
• Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.

Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.

Cost to Change Coolant?

If it’s just a top-up your SUV requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself. 

You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.

If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.

According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Chevy Traverse coolant change is between $133 and $168 (excluding taxes and fees).

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Chevy Traverse Last?

How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?

The average cost for a replacement Traverse transmission could be over $3500 although it should be less than $7000. This range may vary depending on the model year.

Transmissions on the Chevy Traverse typically last 10 – 14 years or around 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the SUV is driven.

Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost

According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Chevy Traverse tire & wheel assembly, rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.

Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).

How much Insurance Cost?

According to insruaviz.com, the average cost of Chevy Traverse insurance is $124 / month or $1488 / year (that is roughly $10 below the national average).

These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc. 

• It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.
• Use price comparison sites like Compare.com.
• There are big discounts available for taking additional driving courses or being a senior
• The best way to keep your insurance costs down is to drive safely

Chevy Traverse Repair Costs Compared to Similar SUVs

In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Chevy Traverse to some of its biggest rivals, using data from RepairPal.

Chevy Traverse Vs Toyota Highlander

Launched in 2001, the Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling SUVs in North America.

The Chevy Traverse is more expensive to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $656 Vs the Toyota Highlander’s $489.

If you’re on a tight budget the Traverse can be had for much cheaper, although this comes at the expense of less added features and overall its a less rounded package.

The Chevy lacks the safety equipment of the Highlander too, omitting automatic emergency breaking until the LT trim.

You may also be interested in our Toyota Highlander maintenance cost guide

Chevy Traverse Vs Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is America’s all-time best-selling SUV offering three rows of seating and plentiful room for hauling cargo.

The Chevy Traverse is cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $656 Vs the Ford Explorer’s $732.

To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all midsize SUVs is $573 per year.

The Traverse doesn’t do as good a job transmitting power to its wheels as the Ford Explorer due to its lower torque engine, however it does offer greater seating capacity making it a better choice for those who find themselves doing a lot of chauffering.

You may also be interested in our Ford Explorer maintenance costs guide

Chevy Traverse Vs Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is another great minivan alternative that stands out from the crowd with its premium practicality.

The Pilot is slightly is cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $542 Vs the Traverses $656.

Both models are very popular family-oriented 3-row SUVs, the Pilot has excellent reliability, great resale value and a wide range of standard features.

The Traverse on the other hand has a lower MSRP, seating for up to eight and more storage space for luggage.

Reliability Compared to Other Mid-Size SUVs

Maintenance Costs Compared to Other Mid-Size SUVs

How Long is the Chevy Traverse’s Manufacturers Warranty?

When you drive your new Chevy Traverse off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Chevrolet’s factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years (whichever comes first) powertrain coverage.

This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties

You can check your vehicle warranty status on the Chevrolet Owner’s Center web page.

You may also be interested in our article: Chevrolet Traverse Beeping? (8 Causes & Solutions)

Resources

1. https://repairpal.com/reliability/chevrolet/traverse
2. https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/how-much-is-a-tune-up-for-a-chevy-traverse-96217
3. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/oil-change-cost
4. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/windshield-wiper-arm-replacement-cost 
5. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/alternator-replacement-cost
6. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/air-filter-replacement-cost
7. https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/traverse/2020/battery-replacement/
8. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/coolant-change-cost
9. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/brake-pad-replacement-cost
10. https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tires/size/20-inch/255-55-20/ 
11. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/spark-plug-replacement-cost
12. https://repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/traverse/tire-wheel-assembly-rotate-balance-cost 
13. https://www.harechevy.com/chevy-traverse-transmission.html
14. https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/chevrolet/chevrolet-traverse-insurance/ 
15. https://www.chevrolet.com/owners/warranty