brakes HUMMER H3 2006 Owners Manual

There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-28. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-59.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever by pushing the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
as you maintain brake application. Then move the
shift lever into the gear you want. SeeShifting Out of
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-30
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-50
.
2-19

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer. You may
want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if
necessary, a lower gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D). You should use THIRD (3) when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills
or winding roads or for off-road driving.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving
forward, the transmission will not shift into FIRST (1)
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-20

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Move the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a
previously set speed.
rT(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set,
or if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (if equipped) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn cruise control back on.
3-11

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on briey when you
start your engine to show it
is working. Then it will
turn off. This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Off Light
If you have the traction
control system, this light
will come on when
the traction control system
has been turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information on the traction off light, see
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
StabiliTrak®Not Ready Light
If you have the StabiliTrak®
system, this light will come
on when the StabiliTrak®
system has been
turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information, seeStabiliTrak
®System
(Automatic Transmission) on page 4-11.
3-33

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) FAULT
This message will be displayed if there is a problem
with the anti-lock brake system. Check the anti-lock
brake system as soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer. SeeBrakes on page 5-36
andAnti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-33for more information. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
BATTERY
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with the battery. SeeBattery on page 5-39andBattery
Warning Light on page 3-31for more information.
BRAKES
This message will be displayed if there is a problem
with the brakes. Check the brakes as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
SeeBrakes on page 5-36andBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-32for more information. Press and
release the reset stem to acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display.
CHANGE OIL
This message will be displayed when the oil needs to
be changed. Check the oil in your vehicle as soon
as possible and have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
DOORS
This message will be displayed when one or more
of the doors is ajar. You should check all the doors
on your vehicle to make sure they are closed. The
message will clear from the display after all of the
doors are closed.
ENG (Engine) HOT
This message will be displayed when the engine coolant
temperature is hot. Check the engine coolant
temperature gage. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 3-34. You should have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible if you
suspect the engine is overheating. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-27for more information.
3-45

FLUID
This message will be displayed if the brake uid is low.
Check the brake uid as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-36for more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display.
FUEL CAP
This message will be displayed if the vehicle’s fuel cap
is either off or loose. You should pull over and check
to see if your vehicle’s fuel cap is secure as soon
as possible. You may also see the check engine light
on the instrument panel cluster. If the check engine light
does come on when your vehicle’s fuel cap was
loose, it may take a few driving trips before the light
turns off. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-35
for more information if the light still remains on. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
LOW FUEL
This message will be displayed if the level of fuel in the
vehicle is low. You should also check the fuel gage.
SeeFuel Gage on page 3-40for more information. You
should ll your vehicle’s fuel tank as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE
This message will be displayed if a low tire pressure is
detected in any of the vehicle’s tires. Press and
release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display. The message will appear at
each ignition cycle until the tires are inated to the
correct ination pressure. SeeTires on page 5-53and
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-60for more
information on tires and the correct ination pressures.
OIL
This message will be displayed when the oil pressure is
low. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-38andEngine
Oil on page 5-13for more information.
PARK BRK (Brake)
This message will be displayed when the parking brake
is set. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27andBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-32for more
information. The message will clear from the display
after the parking brake is released.
REDUCED POWER
This message will be displayed when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Press and release the reset
stem to acknowledge the message and clear it from
the display.
3-46

Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision
increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of
0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of
0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a
collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance
of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a
level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up. “I will be careful” is not the
right answer. What if there is an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to
react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There is something else about drinking and driving that
many people do not know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems have to
do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-5

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle ever loses electrical power while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump your brakes.
If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your
vehicle loses electrical power, you will still have some
power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake.
Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer
to stop, the brake pedal will be harder to push, and you
may experience longer pedal travel.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-6

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-33.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
4-7

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
4-8