CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER 2007 1.G Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your vehicle’s
weight ratings. Ask your dealer to help you
load your vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
There is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving” underOff-Road
Driving (Except SS) on page 323.
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Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended
for a snow plow.
Notice:Adding a snow plow or similar
equipment to your vehicle can damage it, and
the repairs would not be covered by warranty.
Do not install a snow plow or similar
equipment on your vehicle.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 544.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing
your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
You may also need brakes for the vehicle
being towed. See your dealer for additional
trailering information.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the trailering capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can be towed.
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Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 346.
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
(TrailBlazer SS)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground, or even with
only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an
all-wheel-drive vehicle if any of its wheels
will be on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with
any of its wheels on the ground. If your vehicle
must be towed, see “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier
in this section.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be
towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
To properly tow these vehicles, they should be
placed on a platform trailer.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be dinghy towed
if you follow the proper procedures. The
transmission has no provisions for internal
lubrication while being towed, so it is important
that you follow all the steps listed in this manual
to dinghy tow your four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 121for the proper
procedure to select the NEUTRAL (N)
position for your vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition off.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 121.
364

Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels
Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Never tow your vehicle with the rear wheels
on the ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be dolly towed
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift the automatic transmission to PARK (P).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the
ignition on.
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed
to the dolly.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
6. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 121for the proper
procedure to select the NEUTRAL (N)
position for your vehicle.
7. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition off.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 121.
365

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)
(Two-Wheel or Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle
from the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 126for more information.3. Shift the transmission in PARK (P).
4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to
the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the
tow vehicle. Use an adequate clamping device
to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
5. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven
for six weeks or more, remove the battery
cable from the negative terminal (post) of the
battery.
366

Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
Your vehicle may be equipped with an
electronically controlled air suspension system that
automatically keeps your vehicle level as you
load and unload. The system includes a
compressor, two height sensors and two air
springs supporting the rear axle.
The system also has an internal clock to prevent
overheating if the inator is used for prolonged
periods. If the system overheats, all leveling
function stops until the system cools down. During
this time, the indicator light on the air inator
switch will be ashing.
The ignition has to be on for the system to inate,
in order to raise the vehicle to the standard ride
height after loading. The system can lower
the vehicle to the standard ride height after
unloading with the ignition on and also for up to
30 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.You may hear the compressor operating when you
load your vehicle, and periodically as the system
adjusts the vehicle to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with
the inator hose attached to the inator outlet.
Remove the inator hose from the outlet during
loading and unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of
time, some bleed down of the suspension is
normal. Upon starting the vehicle, proper height
will be achieved.
Overload Protection
The air suspension system is equipped with
overload protection. Overload protection is
designed to protect the air suspension system,
and it is an indicator to the driver that the vehicle
is overloaded. When the overload protection
mode is on, it will not allow damage to the
air compressor. However, do not overload the
vehicle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 356.
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If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear
axle load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating). When the overload protection
mode is activated, the compressor operates
for about 30 seconds to one minute without raising
the vehicle depending on the amount of overload.
This will continue each time the ignition is
turned on until the rear axle load is reduced
below GAWR.
Indicator Light
The indicator light on the inator switch in the rear
passenger compartment also serves as an
indicator for internal system error. If the indicator
light is ashing without the load leveling function
or the inator being active, turn off the ignition. The
next day turn on the ignition and check the
indicator light. The vehicle can be driven with the
light ashing, but if it is you should have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured. You
may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask
your dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
368

Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs
that would not be covered by your warranty.
Always follow the instructions in this section
and check with your dealer/retailer for more
information about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in acceleration,
braking, handling, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving. A
good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
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Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to
shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if
necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions).
Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
370