CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have a full-size spare tire,
which, when new, was fully inated. A spare
tire may lose air over time, so check its ination
pressure regularly. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 384andLoading Your Vehicle on
page 293for information regarding proper tire
ination and loading your vehicle. For instruction
on how to remove, install, or store a spare tire,
seeRemoving the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire on page 404andStoring a Flat
or Spare Tire and Tools on page 416.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare tire
than the road tires originally installed on your
vehicle. This spare was developed for use on
your vehicle, so it is alright to drive on it. If your
vehicle has four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed, keep the vehicle
in two-wheel drive.Notice:If your vehicle has four-wheel drive
and the different size spare tire is installed
on your vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until you can have your at tire repaired
and/or replaced. You could damage your
vehicle, and the repair costs would not
be covered by your warranty. Never use
four-wheel drive when the different size
spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle,
you should stop as soon as possible and make
sure the spare is correctly inated. The spare
tire is made to perform well at speeds up to
62 mph (100 km/h) for distances up to 500 miles
(804 km). For heavy payloads or towing, and
for low traction or four-wheel-drive conditions,
repair or replace the full-size tire. Have the
damaged or at road tire repaired or replaced
as soon as you can and installed back onto
your vehicle. This way, the spare tire will be
available in case you need it again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of different sizes,
because they will not t. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
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Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its
best if it is cleaned often. Although not always
visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather,
and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is
recommended to remove particles from your
upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery
from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible.
Your vehicle’s interior may experience extremes
of heat that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and
garments that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color to your
vehicle’s interior.
When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use
cleaners specically designed for the surfaces
being cleaned. Permanent damage may result from
using cleaners on surfaces for which they were
not intended. Use glass cleaner only on glass.Remove any accidental over-spray from other
surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray, apply
cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when
cleaning glass surfaces on your vehicle, you
could scratch the glass and/or cause damage
to the rear window defogger. When cleaning
the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft cloth
and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become
concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space.
Before using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety
instructions on the label. While cleaning your
vehicle’s interior, maintain adequate ventilation by
opening your vehicle’s doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small buttons and
knobs using a small brush with soft bristles.
Your dealer/retailer has a product for cleaning your
vehicle’s glass. Should it become necessary, you
can also obtain a product from your dealer/retailer
to remove odors from your vehicle’s upholstery.
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Do not clean your vehicle using the following
cleaners or techniques:
Never use a knife or any other sharp object
to remove a soil from any interior surface.
Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage
to your vehicle’s interior surfaces.
Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively
with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure
can damage your interior and does not improve
the effectiveness of soil removal.
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry
detergents or dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much soap will leave a
residue that leaves streaks and attracts dirt.
For liquid cleaners, about 20 drops per
gallon (3.78 L) of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate your upholstery
while cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result
from the use of many organic solvents such
as naptha, alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush
attachment frequently to remove dust and loose
dirt. A canister vacuum with a beater bar in
the nozzle may only be used on oor carpet and
carpeted oor mats. For soils, always try to remove
them rst with plain water or club soda. Before
cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil
as possible using one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a
paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible
and then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with
water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently
rub toward the center. Continue cleaning,
using a clean area of the cloth each time it
becomes soiled.
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4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until
the cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a
mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric
cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be
used, test a small hidden area for colorfastness
rst. If the locally cleaned area gives any
impression that a ring formation may result,
clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed,
a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning
is necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution can be used. Allow the leather to
dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry. Never
use steam to clean leather. Never use spot lifters
or spot removers on leather. Many commercial
leather cleaners and coatings that are sold
to preserve and protect leather may permanently
change the appearance and feel of your leather
and are not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner. Never use
shoe polish on your leather.
424

Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution can be used to gently remove
dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters or removers
on plastic surfaces. Many commercial cleaners
and coatings that are sold to preserve and protect
soft plastic surfaces may permanently change
the appearance and feel of your interior and
are not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing the
gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss
on your instrument panel. The increase in
gloss may cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see
through the windshield under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you
do, it may severely weaken them. In a
crash, they might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean safety belts
only with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During
very cold, damp weather frequent application
may be required. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 452.
425

Washing Your Vehicle
The paint nish on the vehicle provides beauty,
depth of color, gloss retention, and durability.
The best way to preserve the vehicle’s nish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm
or cold water.
Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of
the sun. Use a car washing soap. Do not
use strong soaps or chemical detergents.
Be sure to rinse the vehicle well, removing all
soap residue completely. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
SeeVehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page 431. Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning agents should be ushed promptly
and not allowed to dry on the surface, or they
could stain. Avoid using hard brushes during
cleaning. It may damage your vehicle’s nish.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid surface scratches
and water spotting.High pressure car washes may cause water to
enter the vehicle. Avoid using high pressure
washes closer than 12 inches (30 cm) to the
surface of the vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth
and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps
and lenses. Follow instructions underWashing
Your Vehicle on page 426.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your
vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove
residue from the paint nish. You can get approved
cleaning products from your dealer/retailer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 431.
If your vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint
nish, the clearcoat gives more depth and gloss
to the colored basecoat. Always use waxes
and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for
a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
426

Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint
nish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive
waxes and polishes that are made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish on your vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and
other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial
chimneys, etc., can damage your vehicle’s nish if
they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle
as soon as possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging,
weather and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. You can help to
keep the paint nish looking new by keeping your
vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly
to keep their luster. Washing with water is all
that is usually needed. However, you may use
chrome polish on chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid
damaging protective trim, never use auto or
chrome polish, steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish,
is recommended for all bright metal parts.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass
cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth
or paper towel soaked with windshield washer
uid or a mild detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road
grime, sap, and a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper streaking. Replace
the wiper blades if they are worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
427

Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim
Your vehicle may have either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth
with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean
towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome trim
may be damaged if you do not wash your
vehicle after driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are used on roads
for conditions such as ice and dust. Always
wash your vehicle’s chrome with soap
and water after exposure.
Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or
cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, you could damage the
surface of the wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Use
only approved cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.The surface of these wheels is similar to the
painted surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong
soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive
cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome polish on
aluminum wheels.
Notice:Using chrome polish on aluminum
wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels,
but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and
buff off immediately after application.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through
an automatic car wash that has silicone
carbide tire cleaning brushes, you could
damage the aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Never drive a vehicle equipped
with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels
through an automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes.
428

Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire
cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the
paint nish and/or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any overspray
from all painted surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet
metal repair or replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to
parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will
provide the corrosion protection while maintaining
the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches
in the nish should be repaired right away.
Bare metal will corrode quickly and may
develop into major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired
with touch-up materials available from your
dealer/retailer. Larger areas of nish damage
can be corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
429

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal
and dust control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts such as fuel
lines, frame, oor pan, and exhaust system
even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials
from the underbody with plain water. Clean
any areas where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of the frame
should be loosened before being ushed.
Your dealer/retailer or an underbody car
washing system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
we will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs rst.
430