towing CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G User Guide

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing
a Trailer on page 306.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right
foot and set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 133for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll — even if your shift
lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, two-wheel
high (2H) or four-wheel high (4H) or
four-wheel low (4L) — not in NEUTRAL.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by
pulling the lever toward you and moving
it up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the
key, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
135

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK
position. In addition, you have to fully apply the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 124.
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.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC. There is no shift
interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of
Step 4.3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle has a manual transmission.
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the
shift lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply
the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed into REVERSE (R) with the clutch
pedal pressed in, turn the ignition key to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 306.
137

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to
roll, even if the automatic transmission
shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
NEUTRAL. Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 135.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 306.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side. The control at
the bottom of the mirror is the day/night feature
that allows adjustment to the mirror so that
the glare of headlamps from behind is reduced.
Push the control for daytime use; pull it for
night use.
141

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 133for more
information. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 299.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), 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 are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you do not have anti-lock brakes and there is
a problem with your regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 189.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
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.
190

This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to
do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 328.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light off.
193

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 246
Defensive Driving...................................... 246
Drunken Driving........................................ 247
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 250
Braking...................................................... 250
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 251
Braking in Emergencies............................. 253
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 253
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 254
Steering.................................................... 255
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 257
Passing..................................................... 257
Loss of Control.......................................... 259
Off-Road Driving........................................ 260
Driving at Night......................................... 276
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 278
City Driving............................................... 281Freeway Driving........................................ 282
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 283
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 284
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 284
Winter Driving........................................... 286
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 290
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 291
Recovery Hooks........................................ 292
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 293
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 299
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab............ 299
Towing........................................................ 299
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 299
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 300
Towing a Trailer........................................ 306
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 320
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
245

Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 398.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. For four-wheel
drive vehicles, shift into 4HI. For vehicles with
traction control, turn the system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 253. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission, between
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R),
spinning the wheels as little as possible.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels
stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in
gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that could free your vehicle. If that does not
get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might need
to be towed out. Or, you can use the recovery
hooks, if your vehicle has them. If your vehicle does
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 299.
291

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 377andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 384.
There is also important information on the
Certication/Tire label. It tells you 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 kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s 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 kg or XXX lbs.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 306for
important information on towing a trailer,
towing safety, and trailering tips.
294

Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need
to put a limit on how many people you carry
inside your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle
before you buy and install the new equipment.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle.
A reinforcement kit for mounting a toolbox is
recommended. See your dealer.
Truck-Camper Loading Information
Your vehicle was not designed to carry a
slide-in camper.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle
owners may consider having the pickup box
removed and a commercial or recreational
body installed. However, we recommend that
conversions of this type not be done to pickups.
Owners should be aware that, as manufactured,
there are differences between a chassis cab
and a pickup with the box removed which may
affect vehicle safety.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if you need to have your disabled
vehicle towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 466.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as
behind a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
299

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/retailer 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.
Dinghy Towing
Two-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.
300