charging CHEVROLET COLORADO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on the
steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered anytime
the shift lever is capable of being moved out of PARK (P).
This means that if your key is turned off, but not in LOCK,
there will be a small current drain on your battery which
could discharge your battery over a period of time. If you
need to leave your key in the ignition but not in LOCK for
an extended period, it is recommended that you
disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent
discharging your battery.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting
Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-48.
2-24

Shifting Out of Park (Automatic
Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
The shift lock control system is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P).
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock control system is always functional except
in the case of a dead battery or low voltage (less
than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-44for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, push the shift
lever all the way into PARK (P)
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have your
vehicle serviced soon.
Parking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission)
If 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/OFF, 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 4-48.
2-36

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-5
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-16
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp .................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Exit Lighting.................................................3-17
Electric Power Management...........................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-25
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-27
Charging System Light..................................3-29
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-29
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-31
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-32
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-33
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-35
Security Light...............................................3-36
Cruise Control Light......................................3-36
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-36
Fuel Gage...................................................3-36
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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. The instrument panel lights,
cluster, and radio display do not dim to complete
darkness. The instrument panel light brightness control
will only work if the headlamps or parking lamps are
on. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-13.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamps, located in the front and cargo area of
the vehicle, come on when any door is opened.
Turn the dome lamps on by turning the thumbwheel,
located next to the exterior lamps control, all the way up.
In this position, the lamps remain on whether a door
is opened or closed.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Lamp Override):This button, located
below the exterior lamps control, can set the dome
lamps to either come on automatically when a door is
opened, or to remain off. Press the button in to make the
dome lamps remain off when the doors are open. To
return the lamps to automatic operation, press the button
again and return it to the out position.
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.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage, you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
3-17

Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition key, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-40
for more information. This light could indicate that there
are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
Your vehicle may have an
up-shift light.
When this light comes on, you should shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions allow
you to.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-26for
more information.
3-29

SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message displays if your vehicle needs service.
Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
SERVICE CHARG (Charge) SYS
(System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
battery charging system. Under certain conditions, the
battery warning light may also turn on in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-29.
The battery will not be charging at an optimal rate and the
vehicle will lose the ability to enter the fuel economy
mode. The vehicle is safe to drive, however have the
electrical system checked by your dealer/retailer. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
TRAC (Traction) OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
this message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off by pressing the TCS button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-5for
more information.
TRACTION FAULT
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
this message may display if there is a problem with
the TCS. Check the TCS as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-5for more
information. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
TURN SIGNAL
This message displays when the turn signal is on for
about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of travel. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the display.
3-44

The trailer towing harness contains the following seven
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, turn
on the headlamps to boost the vehicle system voltage
to properly charge the battery.
Trailer Brake Control Wiring Harness
The wires for the trailer brake control are taped to a
wiring harness under the instrument panel. The trailer
brake control harness will contain the following
labeled wires:
Dark Blue Wire (#47): Trailer Brake
Red Wire (#242): Batt “+”
Light Blue Wire (#20): Brake Lights
Black Wire (#2050): Brake 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 4-48
later in this section.
4-61

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-69
Audio System(s).............................................3-47
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Battery..........................................................5-43
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
System Warning Light..................................3-30
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-54
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-51
Headlamps.................................................5-52Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-56
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
Calibration.............................................2-40, 2-43
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-119
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-10, 2-37, 4-28
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-108
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-63
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-54
Chains, Tire...................................................5-82
Charging System Light....................................3-29
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-33
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-112
2

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-60
Lamps
Dome ........................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override...................................3-17
Exterior Cargo.............................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-31
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-25
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-8
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-56
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-26
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning...........3-31
Brake System Warning.................................3-30Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-29
Cruise Control.............................................3-36
Highbeam On.............................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-33
Oil Pressure...............................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-27
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-25
Security.....................................................3-36
TCS Warning Light......................................3-31
Tire Pressure..............................................3-32
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-31
Up-Shift.....................................................3-29
Lighting
Exit...........................................................3-17
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Interior Lamps.............................................3-16
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Limited-Slip Rear Axle....................................... 4-6
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-9
Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-9
7