suspension HUMMER H2 2007 Owners Manual

SERVICE 4WD (Full-Time
Four-Wheel Drive)
This message displays if a problem occurs with
the Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive system.
If this message appears, stop as soon as possible
and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and
check for the message on the DIC display. If
the message is still displayed, or appears again
when you begin driving, there is a problem with the
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive system. See your
dealer for service. Press any of the DIC buttons,
or the trip stem, to acknowledge this message and
clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your dealer inspect
the system for problems. Press any of the DIC
buttons, or the trip stem, to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 207and
Airbag System on page 77for more information.
SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION
This message displays if a problem occurs with
the suspension system. If this message appears,
stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the
message on the DIC display. If the message is still
displayed, or appears again when you begin
driving, there is a problem with the air suspension
system. See your dealer for service.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if a problem occurs with
the brake system. If this message appears, stop as
soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart
the vehicle and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or
appears again when you begin driving, there
is a problem with the brake system. See your
dealer for service. Press any of the DIC buttons,
or the trip stem, to acknowledge this message and
clear it from the DIC display.
231

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 302
Defensive Driving...................................... 302
Drunken Driving........................................ 303
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 306
Braking...................................................... 306
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 307
Braking in Emergencies............................. 309
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 309
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 311
Steering.................................................... 312
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 314
Passing..................................................... 314
Loss of Control.......................................... 316
Off-Road Driving........................................ 317
Assist Steps.............................................. 338
Driving at Night......................................... 342
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 344
City Driving............................................... 347
Freeway Driving........................................ 348Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 349
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 350
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 351
Winter Driving........................................... 353
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 357
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 358
Recovery Loops........................................ 358
First Aid Kit and Tool Kit........................... 360
Front Mounted Receiver............................ 360
Power Winch Platform............................... 361
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 362
Towing........................................................ 369
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 369
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 369
Selectable Extended Rear Ride Height...... 371
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System.................................................. 372
Towing a Trailer........................................ 374
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 388
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
301

The HUMMER H2 has an approximate approach
angle (A) of 42° and a departure angle (B) of
37°, depending on suspension packages.Design specications required a minimum
gradeability of 60% (31°) slope, with the vehicle
fully loaded, on high friction surfaces at 6 mph
(9.7 km/h). The vehicle is expected to traverse this
grade only for short durations. Never stop and
idle the vehicle or park it on this grade.
321

Do not continue if the vehicle shudders or
exhibits suspension hopping. This can
cause damage to the driveline or suspension
components. Improper driving technique is
not covered by your vehicle warranty.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can
be dangerous. You could lose traction,
slide sideways, and possibly roll over.
You could be seriously injured or killed.
When driving up hills, always try to go
straight up.
Ease up on your speed as you approach the
top of the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to make you more
visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of
the hill to let opposing traffic know you are
there.
Use your headlamps even during the day.
They make you more visible to oncoming
traffic.
{CAUTION:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full
speed can cause an accident. There could
be a drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be seriously
injured or killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
329

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
engine and oil coolers for mud accumulation.
Thoroughly and carefully clean these devices to
allow proper cooling. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. See the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Assist Steps
Your vehicle may be equipped with removable
side steps.
Remove the steps prior to off-roading to give your
vehicle more ground clearance and to prevent
damage to the vehicle from the side steps
dragging and/or catching on obstacles.
Notice:Do not drive off-road with the side
steps attached to your vehicle. You can damage
the side steps and/or your vehicle’s frame if
they get caught or drag against an obstacle.
This damage would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty. Always remove the side
steps prior to any off-road driving.
338

The Certication/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To nd
out the actual loads on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{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.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components
that fail because of overloading.
The label will help you decide how much cargo
and installed equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to
get added durability might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load your
vehicle the right way.
367

Selectable Extended Rear Ride
Height
If your vehicle has this feature it comes as part
of the electronically controlled air suspension
system.
The selectable rear ride height allows you to raise
the rear of the vehicle about 2 inches (5 cm)
over the normal ride height. This can be helpful
when driving off-road where you may need
more ground clearance to clear an obstacle.
The button that controls
this feature is located
on the instrument panel
to the right of the
steering wheel.To use this feature, ensure that the following
conditions are met:
The engine must be running.
All doors must be fully closed. The suspension
will not raise or lower if a door is open.
The vehicle speed must be less than 40 mph
(64 km/h). The system will not activate
otherwise.
Press the height control button to raise the rear of
the vehicle.
A light in the button will begin to ash as the rear
of the vehicle rises. Once the extended height
has been reached (this may take up to a minute),
the warning light will stop ashing and will stay
lit while the vehicle is at the extended height.
371

To lower the vehicle to the normal ride height,
press the button again. The light in the button will
ash as the suspension lowers. When the light
in the button stops ashing and goes out,
the suspension has reached the normal ride
height.
This feature will lower the vehicle to the normal
height if vehicle speed exceeds 40 mph (64 km/h).
You may also want to use this feature when
ascending, descending or cresting a steep hill as
this can help prevent the rear bumper from
dragging on the base of the hill or prevent the
vehicle from grounding out (high centering) on the
crest of the hill.
Do not use this feature when towing a trailer.Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
The electronically controlled air suspension, if
equipped, keeps the rear of your vehicle level as
you load and unload it. The system includes a
compressor, two height sensor and two air springs
supporting the vehicle.
The engine must be running for the system to
level the vehicle after loading or unloading.
The system will suspend transitioning between
the designed ride height and the extended
ride height if any of the doors are open. However,
the system will not suspend operation during
normal leveling and once the doors are closed,
system leveling will continue.
You may hear the compressor running when you
load your vehicle, and periodically as the system
adjusts the vehicle to the standard ride height.
372

You may also hear the release of air similar to a
hissing sound during suspension operation.
This is normal.
Load leveling will not function normally with the
inator hose attached to the inator outlet.
Remove the inater hose from the outlet when
it is not in use. SeeAccessory Inator on
page 466.
Overload and Overheat Protection
Overload protection is designed to protect the air
suspension system and is an indication to the
driver that the vehicle is overloaded.
If the rear 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 forabout 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.
If the total rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
is reached, the suspension may be slightly less
than level. This is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the air suspension.
If the system overheats due to normal operation,
the SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION message
will not be displayed on the DIC, but the system
will shut down and stop all leveling functions until it
cools down. If the system overheats and sets
the SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION message in the
DIC, then there is a fault. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 226for more information.
373

The accessory inator hose also has a built-in
air pressure gage. As soon as you start to
inate an object it will automatically read the
current pressure.
4. Press and release the switch to turn the
accessory inator on. The indicator light
will remain on while the inator is running.When you are nished using the inator, press and
release the switch to turn it off. Place the inator kit
tools and the hose back in the pouch.
If your vehicle is equipped with the air suspension
system, load leveling will not function with the
inator hose attached to the inator outlet.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be
injured. Be sure to read the inator
instructions, and inate any object only to
its recommended pressure.
467