CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, start the engine
again. The engine cooling fan speed should
increase when idle speed is doubled by pushing
the accelerator pedal down. If it does not,
your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner,
at 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
351

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See
Engine Coolant on page 345for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant
and the proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not
spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank
is at the FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
352

If the overheat warning continues, there is one
more thing you can try. Add the proper mixture
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn you
badly. They are under pressure, and if you
turn the radiator pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and radiator pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. Remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap
slowly counterclockwise about one full turn.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap to remove it.
353

3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 345
for more information about the proper
coolant mixture.
4. Fill the coolant recovery tank to the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Reinstall the cap on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.6. Start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the
radiator ller neck might be lower. If the level
is lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture through the ller neck until the
level reaches the base of the ller neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap.
At any time during this procedure if coolant begins
to ow out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure to secure it tightly.
354

Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan.
When the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most
everyday driving conditions, the clutch is not
engaged. This improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as
the transmission slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you
start the engine. It will go away as the fan
clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located near
the front of the engine
compartment, behind
the radiator. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 332for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless you suspect there is a leak
in the system or you hear an unusual noise.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
355

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Then remove the cap again and look at
the uid level on the dipstick.
The level should be between the ADD and
FULL marks. If necessary, add only enough
uid to bring the level up to the proper range.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the
proper uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 332
for reservoir location.
356

Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 332for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have
the brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will not work well.
357

So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when the linings are worn, then you will
have too much uid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn if
the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system. See “Checking Brake Fluid” in
this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to check the brake uid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 442.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking
off the cap.
Look at the brake
uid reservoir. The
uid level should
be above MIN. If it is
not, have the brake
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
358

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 452.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 426.
359

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with the brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to
help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are
rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and evenly
tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence
to torque specications inCapacities and
Specications on page 437.
Rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators,
but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected
immediately. Also, the rear brake drums should
be removed and inspected each time the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brake pads replaced, have
the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service might be required.
360