CHEVROLET COLORADO 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle may be equipped with recovery hooks. The
hooks are provided at the front of your vehicle. You may
need to use them if you are stuck off-road and need to be
pulled to some place where you can continue driving.{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways angle.
The hooks could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
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Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
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 your vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly” (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.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing 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 tow.
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.
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Dinghy TowingTwo-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.
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Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Use the following steps to tow your vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground:
1. Drive the vehicle to be towed into position behind
the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-31for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
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) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. 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.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-27for
more information.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to the
towing vehicle.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your
battery from draining while towing, remove
the battery cable from the positive terminal (post)
of the battery.
After towing see “Shifting out of NEUTRAL” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27.
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Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle from
the front:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-31for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
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.
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{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) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. 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. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27for instructions.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to the
towing vehicle.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.7. Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the battery
cable from the positive terminal (post) of the battery.
After towing see “Shifting out of NEUTRAL” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27.
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with the
rear wheels off the ground.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle from
the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-31for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
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.
{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) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. 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 2HI. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-27for instructions.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the
towing vehicle.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your
battery from draining while towing, remove the
battery cable from the positive terminal (post) of
the battery.
After towing see “Shifting out of NEUTRAL” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27.
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Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
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.
Tire and Loading Information Label
A. Vehicle Capacity Weight
The Tire and Loading Information is attached to the
driver’s side center pillar, below the door latch post.
Vehicle’s without a center pillar, extended cab models,
will have the Tire and Loading Information label attached
to the edge of the driver’s side third door, above the door
latch post. This label lists the number of people that can
be in your vehicle and the total weight it can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity weight.
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The Tire and Loading Information label also tells you
the size and recommended ination pressure for
the original equipment tires on your vehicle. For more
information on tires and ination seeTires on page 5-57
andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64.
If your vehicle does not have the Tire and Loading
Information label, the Certication/Tire label shows the
tire size and recommended ination pressures needed to
obtain the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear
axles. See “Certication/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be ve
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety,
and trailering tips.
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Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg) x 2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =700 lbs. (317 kg)
Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68kg)x5=750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =250 lbs (113 kg) Example 1
Example 2
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