maintenance CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, the brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested
with top-quality brake parts. When you replace
parts of the braking system — for example, when
the brake linings wear down and you need new
ones put in — be sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts
in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
replacement battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 332for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
361

Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle
uid unless you suspect there is a leak or you
hear an unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate
a problem. Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.The proper level is from 0 to 3/8 inch
(0 mm to 10 mm) below the bottom of the
ller plug hole, located on the rear axle.
What to Use
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 452to determine which kind of
lubricant to use.
Four-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section apply to this
vehicle. There are two additional systems
that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to check the lubricant. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 444.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.
368

A. Drain Plug
B. Filler Plug
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
located on the transfer case, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Remove the plug and add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the ller
plug hole. Use care not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check your front
axle uid unless you suspect there is a leak or you
hear an unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate
a problem. Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.
369

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for
wear and cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 442for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and
are removed in different ways. For proper type and
length, seeNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 454.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to touch the
windshield when no wiper blade is installed
could damage the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not allow the wiper blade arm to touch
the windshield.
1. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the
wiper arm until it locks into a vertical
position.A. Blade Assembly
B. Arm Assembly
C. Locking TabD. Blade Pivot
E. Hook Slot
F. Arm Hook
2. Press down on the blade assembly pivot
locking tab. Pull down on the blade assembly
to release it from the wiper arm hook.
3. Remove the insert from the blade assembly.
The insert has two notches at one end that
are locked by bottom claws of the blade
assembly. At the notched end, pull the
insert from the blade assembly.
375

You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC LOW TIRE message may come on when the
vehicle is rst started, and then turn off as you
start to drive. This may be an early indicator
that the air pressure in the tire(s) is getting low
and needs to be inated to the proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inated to
the ination pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire ination pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
ination pressure for those tires.)As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when
one or more of your
tires is signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signicantly
under-inated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Under-ination also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-ination has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
386

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low
tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will ash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.A Tire and Loading Information label, attached
to your vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and the correct ination
pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they
are cold. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 293,
for an example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on your vehicle.
Also seeInation - Tire Pressure on page 384
for additional information.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 390,When It Is Time for
New Tires on page 391, andTires on page 377.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The
liquid sealant can damage the tire pressure
monitor sensors.
387

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 391
andWheel Replacement on page 396for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely.
Push, pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, use the wheel wrench to tighten
the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 400.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle.
The rst rotation is the most important, see
Scheduled Maintenance on page 442.When rotating your tires, always use one of the
correct rotation patterns shown here.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire or a spare
tire that does not match your vehicle’s road tires
and wheels, in size and type, do not include
the spare in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. For the
location of the Tire and Loading Information label
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 293. Make
certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened,
see “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specications on page 437for the proper wheel
nut torque specication.
390

Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear
the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever
have a blowout, here are a few tips about what to
expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel
rmly. Steer to maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.Get the vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to
do maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to
use the jacking equipment to change a at
tire safely.
399

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal
and dust control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts such as fuel
lines, frame, oor pan, and exhaust system
even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials
from the underbody with plain water. Clean
any areas where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of the frame
should be loosened before being ushed.
Your dealer/retailer or an underbody car
washing system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
we will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs rst.
430

Maintenance Schedule................................ 440
Introduction............................................... 440
Maintenance Requirements........................ 440
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 440
Using the Maintenance Schedule............... 440
Scheduled Maintenance............................. 442
Additional Required Services..................... 444
Maintenance Footnotes.............................. 446Owner Checks and Services..................... 447
At Each Fuel Fill....................................... 448
At Least Once a Month............................. 448
At Least Once a Year............................... 449
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants........ 452
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..... 454
Engine Drive Belt Routing......................... 455
Maintenance Record.................................. 456
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
439