maintenance CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G User Guide

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 442for more on this.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid
(don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review these sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts
and bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-pin
trailer towing harness. This harness has a four-pin
trailer connector that is attached to a bracket on
the hitch platform. The four-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps/Park lamps
White: Ground
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the CWR
for your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with your trailer
attached, so that you won’t go over the GVWR or
the GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread
out the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 306later in this section.
320

Appearance Care........................................ 422
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 422
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 423
Leather...................................................... 424
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 425
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 425
Weatherstrips............................................ 425
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 426
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 426
Finish Care............................................... 426
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 427
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim................................... 428
Tires......................................................... 429Sheet Metal Damage................................. 429
Finish Damage.......................................... 429
Underbody Maintenance............................ 430
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 430
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 431
Vehicle Identication.................................. 432
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 432
Service Parts Identication Label............... 432
Electrical System........................................ 432
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 432
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 433
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 433
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 433
Capacities and Specications.................... 437
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
323

Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could
be damaged if you try to do service work
on a vehicle without knowing enough
about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement
parts, and tools before you attempt
any vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts,
and other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.
If you want to do some of your own service work,
you should use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to service
your vehicle than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 476.Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 94.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. SeeMaintenance Record
on page 456.
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
325

Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important
part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, GM recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is
less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking
noise when you drive, commonly referred to as
spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines
may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). General Motors recommends
against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See
Additives on page 326for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control label.
If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, your vehicle will
operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 192. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the
type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly.
326

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 332for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 442for
more information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter,
do the following:
1. Unfasten the clips that hold the cover on
and remove the cover.
2. Lift out the engine air cleaner/lter.
3. Inspect or replace the air lter. SeeNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 454
to determine which lter to use.
4. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/lter cover.
Fasten the clips to hold the cover in place.
338

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
Add uid only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as a
reference. If the uid level is low, add only enough
of the proper uid to bring the level up to the HOT
area for a hot check. It does not take much uid,
generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the
engine oil is changed. However, the uid in your
manual transmission does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at your
GM dealer/retailer service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage your transmission. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off,
the vehicle is parked on a level place and the
transmission is cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission case.
342

Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the
bottom of the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug
and be sure it is fully seated. If the uid level
is low, add more uid as described in the
next steps.How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 452.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only
enough uid to bring the uid level up to
the bottom of the ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is
fully seated.
343

Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir
is lled with hydraulic clutch uid.
The hydraulic clutch
uid reservoir cap
has this symbol
on it. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 332for
reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system.
Adding uid will not correct a leak.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the uid level in
your clutch master cylinder reservoir and for the
proper uid. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 452.
344

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does
not reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it
is in place in the reservoir. See the instructions
on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 348.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up
to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work
as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in your vehicle.
345

So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when the linings are worn, then you will
have too much uid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn if
the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system. See “Checking Brake Fluid” in
this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to check the brake uid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 442.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking
off the cap.
Look at the brake
uid reservoir. The
uid level should
be above MIN. If it is
not, have the brake
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
358