CHEVROLET KODIAK 2009 Owners Manual

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. If climbing a hill, downshift to raise engine and fan
speeds.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as
fast as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you are parked. If you still have the warning, turn off
the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Engine Fan Noise
Your 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 fully 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
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5to determine
when to check your power steering fluid.
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How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine is not warm, you probably will not
get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you need
fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring it
in between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can cause
the brake or service brakes soon warning lights to come
on. In addition, the steering effort and emergency
brake distance could increase.
If either light remains on after you have added power
steering fluid to the proper level, then shut off the engine
for 10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, see “Hydraulic Brake
System Warning Lights” underBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-31for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seePart C:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-31.
Notice:When adding power steering fluid or
making a complete fluid change, always use the
proper fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can
cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, 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 fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
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Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until
the tank is full.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.Notice:•When using concentrated washer fluid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
•Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer fluid.
•Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
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.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
If the vehicle has hydraulic
brakes, there is a brake
master cylinder in the
engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake fluid.
{CAUTION:
Do not add brake fluid before checking the level or
there could be too much brake fluid. Brake fluid
could spill on the hot engine and it can catch fire.
You could be burned and the vehicle could be
damaged. See “Checking Brake Fluid” in this
section.
Checking Brake Fluid
Apply the brake pedal several times with the ignition off.
The brake fluid reservoir is in the engine compartment on
the driver side of the vehicle. Clean one of the reservoir
caps and the area around the cap, and remove it.
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The fluid level should be
even with the bottom ring of
the filler opening. If it is low,
add enough fluid to fill the
reservoir to the proper
level.
What to Add
Use the proper fluid listed in the Maintenance Schedule.
Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap/cover and the
area around the cap/cover before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
•Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of fluid, and do not
use DOT-5 silicone brake fluid.
•If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake fluid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-90.
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Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
(Hydraulic Only)
The vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Four-Wheel and Six-Wheel Drum
Brakes (Air Only)
The brake drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When the front brakes are 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.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the brakes adjust for wear.
Brake Adjustment on Air Braked Vehicles
The vehicle has automatic slack adjusters. Every
brake stop, the brakes automatically adjust for wear.
Slack adjusters should never be manually adjusted
to correct excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke.
Excessive brake chamber pushrod stroke means
that the brake system needs to be serviced by a
qualified service technician.
Notice:Do not manually adjust automatic slack
adjusters. Manual adjustment of the automatic slack
adjusters can result in a degradation of the slack
adjuster performance over time. If the brake
chamber pushrod stroke is out of adjustment, the
brake system needs to be serviced by a qualified
service technician.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system are replaced — for
example, when the brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed — be sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake
linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance expected can change in
many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed.
Hydraulic Brake Pads
Brake pad lining life will vary depending on
vehicle application, working environment, equipment
maintenance, and style of driving. The brake pad lining
wear rate has to be monitored for individual driving
habits — original equipment linings have mechanical
wear indicators to help with this. When down to the last
10% of the brake lining, the brake lining wear indicator
rubs on the rotor, causing a scratching or chirping
sound. When this sound is heard, service to the brake
pads is needed. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-5.
Aftermarket brake linings might not meet the same
stringent requirements as the original equipment linings.
Using aftermarket brake linings can affect braking
performance, pedal feel, noise, and lining wear.
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Air Brake Systems
If the vehicle has air brakes, it is important to get rid of
moisture in the system. Moisture will damage the system
if it is not removed daily.
There are two ways to do this. One is automatic through
the air brake vehicle’s air dryer with integral automatic
moisture ejector that purges air from the system through
a self-contained reservoir. The other way to drain
moisture from the air brake system is to manually activate
drain valves at each reservoir. Drain the air reservoirs
occasionally to be sure the air dryer is working properly.
Drain the air brakes at full system pressure. To be sure of
full pressure, check the air pressure gage. It should read
at least 100 psi (692 kPa).
Air Dryer
If the vehicle has air brakes, it has an air dryer mounted
on the passenger side frame rail. This collects and
removes dirt, moisture, or other foreign matter from the
air prior to entering the brake system. The dryer also
acts as a moisture ejector. It automatically ejects
the moisture when the compressor cycles. The purge
tank has a manual drain valve that must be drained
every day. See “Air Brake Systems” for the manual drain
procedure.
The dryer has a filter that needs changing at intervals.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5for more about
servicing this filter.
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Electric Air Compressor
The vehicle might have an electric air compressor.
This compressor is used to run options that require
pressurized air, such as an air horn or air seat.
The air compressor is used when vehicles do not have
an air brake system.
The air supply for this
system must be
maintained by releasing
the drain valve to eject any
moisture that could have
built up in the system.
It is recommended that this system be drained on a
weekly basis.
Clutch Pedal Free Travel
If the vehicle has a V8 engine and a manual
transmission, the clutch needs adjustment when pedal
free travel gets down to about 1/4 inch (6 mm), as
measured at the clutch pedal pad. There should be
1 1/2 to 2 inches (38 to 51 mm) of clutch pedal
free travel.
If the clutch ever needs service, be sure to use only
approved clutch replacement parts.
Chassis Lubrication
The Maintenance Schedule provides all of the required
chassis lubrication intervals and identifies proper
lubricants to use. Be sure to see the Maintenance
Schedule before performing any chassis lubrication
service. To determine location of chassis lubrication
items, use the following charts.
5-57

Single Axle Models
Item Number Item Remarks
1 Brake Camshaft** One fitting each (apply sparingly).
2 Steering Column Slip Joint* One fitting.
3 Steering Drag Link Ends One fitting each end.
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