brakes HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

It features an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-29. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock controlsystem. You must fully apply the
regular brakes rst and then press
the shift lever button before you
can shift from P (Park) when
the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you
cannot shift out of P (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into
P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the
shift lever button and move the shift
lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-30
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
2-20 Features and Controls

To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-33
N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding, see “Skidding” under
Loss of Control on page 4-12.D (Drive) can be used when towing
a trailer. You may want to shift
the transmission to 3 (Third) or,
if necessary, a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads or in hilly
conditions.
3 (Third):This position is also used
for normal driving. However it
reduces vehicle speed more than
D (Drive) without using the brakes.
You might choose 3 (Third) instead
of D (Drive) when driving on hilly or
winding roads, or when towing a
trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears, or when going
down a steep hill.
2 (Second):This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
3 (Third) without using the brakes.
You can use 2 (Second) on hills.
It can help control vehicle speed as
you go down steep mountain roads,
but then you would also want to use
the brakes off and on.
Features and Controls 2-21

1 (First):This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
2 (Second) without using the brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the
vehicle is moving forward, the
transmission will not shift into rst
gear 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. The repair
will not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping
on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Hill Start Assist
H3 and H3T vehicles have a Hill
Start Assist feature, which may be
useful when stopped on a grade.
SeeBraking on page 4-3for
more information.
Manual Transmission
Operation
This is the shift pattern.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
operate as described below:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as
you slowly press down on the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(30 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard toshift into 1 (First), put the shift lever
in Neutral and let up on the
clutch. Then press the clutch pedal
back down and shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth):
Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and
5 (Fifth) the same way you do
for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake
pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the
brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you
start or idle the engine.
2-22 Features and Controls

The rear window washer uses the
same uid bottle as the windshield
washer. Check the uid level if
the windshield can be washed, but
the rear windows cannot.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more can
be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
9(Off):Turns the cruise control
system off.
R(On):Turns the cruise control the
system on.
S(Resume/Accelerate):This
position makes 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 the
parking brake is set, or if the master
cylinder brake uid level is low.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off.
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the 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 excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The cruise control disengages, if the
vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS) and it begins to limit
wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7.
When road conditions allow the
cruise control to be safely used
again, you can turn it back on.
Instrument Panel 3-9

If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have
the brake system inspected
right away.
This light comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned to ON/RUN.
If it does not, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. See
Parking Brake on page 2-28for
more information. The light stays on
if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the
parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop. The brake
pedal might be harder to push, or
it might go closer to the oor. It can
take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-40.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes
on briey when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn
the ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS
light stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the vehicle
still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock United States
Canada
3-28 Instrument Panel

brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-27.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37for all brake related DIC
messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The StabiliTrak system or the
Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes
on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.The indicator/warning light ashes
while the StabiliTrak or TCS system
is working to control the vehicle
on a low traction surface.
If the TCS warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
The light comes on when the TCS
and the StabiliTrak system is
turned off. If the TCS is off, wheel
spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak
system is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak system and the warning
light turns off.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for more
information
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is in the shaded
area of the gage, the engine is
too hot. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the
vehicle has been operating under
normal driving conditions, pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27for more information.
United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-29

RFA 3:This mode ashes the
parking lamps and sounds the horn
when you press the lock or
unlock buttons on the RKE
transmitter.
RFA 4:This mode disables RKE
feedback. There will be no feedback
when you press the lock or unlock
buttons on the RKE transmitter.
DIC Warnings and
Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status
of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear one
after another. The messages are
displayed for several seconds each.
Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you should
press and release the trip odometer
reset stem to acknowledge that
you received the messages and toclear them from the display. Each
message must be acknowledged
individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because
they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they
can be cleared. You should take
any messages that appear on
the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages only
makes the messages disappear, not
correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed
and some information about them.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when
the engine coolant temperature is
too high and the air conditioning
in the vehicle needs to be turned off.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27andClimate Control
System on page 3-19for more
information. This message displays
along with the ENG HOT message.
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
FAULT
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Check the ABS as
soon as possible and have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30andAntilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Light on
page 3-28for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
BRAKES
This message displays if there is a
problem with the brakes. Check
the brakes as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30andBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-27for
more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the
display.
Instrument Panel 3-37

CHANGE OIL
This message displays when the oil
needs to be changed. Check the
oil in the vehicle as soon as possible
and have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. 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 displays when one or
more of the doors is ajar. Check
all the doors on the vehicle to make
sure they are closed. The message
clears from the display after all
of the doors are closed.
ENG (Engine) HOT
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is
hot. Check the engine coolant
temperature gage. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-29. Have the vehicleserviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible if you suspect
the engine is overheating. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27
for more information.
FLUID
This message displays if the brake
uid is low. Check the brake
uid as soon as possible and have
the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
FUEL CAP
This message displays if the
vehicle’s fuel cap is either off or
loose. Pull over as soon as possible
and check to see if the fuel cap is
secure. You may also see the check
engine light on the instrument
panel cluster. If the check engine
light does come on when the
fuel cap was loose, it may take a
few driving trips before the lightturns off. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-30for more
information if the light still remains
on. Press and release the reset
stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
HSA (Hill Start Assist) ON
This message displays when the Hill
Start Assist is enabled. See
Braking on page 4-3for more
information.
LOW FUEL
This message displays if the level of
fuel in the vehicle is low. Also
check the fuel gage. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-33for more information.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as
possible.
LOW TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a low tire
pressure is detected in any of the
vehicle’s tires. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the
3-38 Instrument Panel

Police records show that almost
40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these
deaths are the result of someone
who was drinking and driving.
In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related
deaths have been associated
with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is
against the law in every U.S. state
to drink alcohol. There are good
medical, psychological, and
developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the
leading highway safety problem
is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
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 hasbeen 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.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems
help to control the vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering,
and accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy
to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose
control of the vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing
it 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 the vehicle
and others is important.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3

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
the 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. The brakes might
not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster with a lot of heavy
braking. Keeping pace with
the traffic and allowing realistic
following distances eliminates a lot
of unnecessary braking. That
means better braking and longer
brake life.
If the vehicle ever loses electrical
power while it is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the vehicle loses electrical
power, there will still be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop, the brake
pedal will be harder to push,
and you might experience longer
pedal travel.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Hill Start Assist
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be
useful when the vehicle is stopped
on a grade. This feature is
designed to prevent the vehicle from
rolling, either forward or rearward,
during vehicle drive off. After
the vehicle is stopped on an incline,
push the brake pedal completely
to the oor to activate Hill StartAssist. When the system activates,
a chime will sound and the HSA
ON message will be displayed.
Letting off the brake pedal slightly or
applying the accelerator pedal to
disengage Hill Start Assist gives the
driver two seconds to pull forward
or back up before the vehicle
starts to roll. Lightly ease off the
brake pedal to disengage Hill
Start Assist. The brakes will
automatically be held for a maximum
of two seconds while the driver
switches from applying the brakes
to pushing the accelerator pedal.
When Hill Start Assist is active, the
driver might experience a “hard
pedal.” This is normal and does not
affect safe brake operation.
On steeper hills, Hill Start Assist will
only activate if the driver tries to
move the vehicle up the hill. It will
not activate if the vehicle is in a
drive gear and facing downhill or if
the vehicle is facing uphill and
in R (Reverse).
4-4 Driving Your Vehicle