CHEVROLET COLORADO 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Exterior Cargo Lamps
You can use the cargo lamps if you need more light
in the cargo area of your vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Press this button, located
on the driver side of the
instrument panel near
the exterior lamp control to
turn the cargo lamps on
and off. You must
have your dome lamps on
for your cargo lamps to
come on. SeeDome Lamp
on page 3-17.
Interior Lamps
The thumbwheel for the interior lamps is located next to
the exterior lamps control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14for additional information on location.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Turn the thumbwheel
up or down to brighten or dim the instrument panel
lights and the radio display. This will only work if
the headlamps or parking lamps are on. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when a door is opened.
They will shut off several seconds after all doors
are closed.
You can also turn the dome lamp on manually by
turning the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way up.
In this position, the dome lamp will remain on whether a
door is opened or closed. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-17for additional information on location.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Override):Press this button, located
below the exterior lamp control, to turn the dome lamp
off even when a door is opened. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14for more information on location.
To return the lamp to automatic operation, press the
button again.
3-17

Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lamps will not
come on if the dome override button is pressed in.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome lamp if it is left on for
more than 20 minutes when the ignition is in LOCK.
This will help prevent your battery from running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle may have accessory power outlets.
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located on the lower part of the instrument panel
below the climate control system and there may be
one located on the rear of the center console. A small
cap must be pulled down to access an accessory power
outlet. When not using an outlet be sure to cover it
with the protective cap.Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes. Check with your retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.
3-18

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
Your ashtray is located in your center console area.
The ashtray can be removed for cleaning. When
the ashtray is removed, this area can also be used as a
cupholder.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way, and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Temperature Knob
The left knob on the control panel is used to adjust the
temperature of the air in the vehicle. Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease
the temperature.Uplevel Climate Controls shown, Base similar
3-19

Fan Knob
9
(Fan):The center knob on the control panel is used
to control the fan speed. Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
If the knob is set on “0” (zero), some outside air will
still enter the vehicle and will be directed according to
the position of the mode knob.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel is used to direct
the airow inside your vehicle. Turn the knob to select
one of the following modes:
H(Vent):Select this mode to direct air to the
instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):Select this mode to direct approximately
half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, and the
remaining air to the oor outlets and the defroster
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
[(Floor):Select this mode to direct air to the oor
outlets. Recirculation is disabled in this mode because
interior window could fog under some conditions. If
this occurs, see “Defogging and Defrosting” following.
Mode Buttons
@
(Recirculation):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, you will have the recirculation feature.
This mode recirculates air inside the cabin, and prevents
outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used
to prevent outside odors from entering your vehicle
and cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or
off. An indicator light on the button will come on to
let you know the recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is only available in the bi-level and vent
modes. It should only be used while in bi-level and vent
modes. Recirculation is not available, and the light
will not come on or ash while in heat, oor, oor/defog,
or defrost modes.
#(Air Conditioning):Your vehicle may have air
conditioning. Press this button to turn the air-conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light on the button will come
on to let you know the air conditioning is activated. When
the system is on, this setting cools and dehumidies the
air entering your vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off.
3-20

You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount
of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost from
your windshield and side windows. Use the defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly. For best results, clear
all snow and ice from the windshield before defrosting.
Turn the mode knob on the climate control panel
clockwise to select the defog or defrost modes.
/(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air to the
windshield, the side window outlets, and to the
oor outlets. When you select this mode, the system
runs the air conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near freezing or below. Recirculation
is not available in this mode.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield, and the side window outlets. When you
select this mode, the system runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near,
or below freezing. Recirculation is not available in
this mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel on the outlets to change the
direction of the air ow.
Lift up or push down on the thumbwheel located in
the center of the outlet to direct the air up or down,
or slide the thumbwheel to the left or right to direct the
airow from side-to-side.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
3-21

Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you
are familiar with this section, you should not be
alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let you
know when there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow
this manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly — and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle has a DIC that works along with the
warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-38for more information.
3-22

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have used, and many other things you will need to know to drive
safely and economically.
United States automatic transmission version shown, Canada similar
3-23

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip information stem.
See “Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-38for more information.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it cannot, then it is set at zero, and a label
must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your vehicle has a trip odometer that can tell you how
far your vehicle has been driven since you last set
the trip odometer to zero.
See “Trip Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-38for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the tachometer in the
shaded warning area.
3-24

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
be provided for several seconds to remind people
to buckle their safety belts. The driver safety belt light
will also be provided and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more. You should buckle
your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will be provided.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to ON or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety belt.
This would only occur if the passenger airbag is
enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-74
for more information. The passenger safety belt light
will also come on and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more. You should have
the passenger buckle their seat belt.
This chime and light will be
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
3-25

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag systems, seeAirbag System on page 1-66.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags
in your vehicle may not inate in a crash,
or they could even inate without a crash.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light does
not come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
3-26