ABS CHEVROLET COLORADO 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................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..........................................3-8
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..........................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-15
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamp .................................................3-16
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............3-21
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-22
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-23
Trip Odometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-23
Airbag Readiness Light.................................
.3-24
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-26
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light........3-28
StabiliTrak
®/Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light.......................3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-30
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-33
Security Light...............................................3-34
Cruise Control Light......................................3-34
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-34
Fuel Gage...................................................3-34
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop. The brake pedal might be harder to push, or it
might go closer to the oor. It can take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-40.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake
System (ABS) light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-39for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-28

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and
that some action may be needed by the driver to correct
the condition. Multiple messages may appear one
after another. The messages are displayed for
several seconds each.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you should press and release the trip odometer reset
stem to acknowledge that you received the messages
and to clear them from the display. Each message must
be acknowledged individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages only makes
the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too high and the air conditioning in your
vehicle needs to be turned off. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-34andClimate Control System on page 3-19
for more information. This message displays along with
the ENG HOT message.
ABS (Antilock Brake System) FAULT
This message displays if there is a problem with the
Antilock Brake System (ABS). Check the ABS as soon
as possible and have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on page 5-38andAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on page 3-28for
more information. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
BRAKES
This message displays if there is a problem with the
brakes. Check the brakes as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes
on page 5-38andBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27for more information. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it from
the display.
3-39

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-25Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-26
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-27
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-27
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-28
Winter Driving..............................................4-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-32
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-33
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-40
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-40
Towing..........................................................4-40
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-41
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-47
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-57
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-28.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
4-5

Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. The brakes might
vibrate or some noise might be heard, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to
assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down
the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control
module increases brake pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature
will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is
released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has an electronic stability control system
called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlled
system that assists the driver with directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to insure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
In some cases, it may take approximately two miles of
driving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak activates,
the cruise control automatically disengages. The cruise
control can be re-engaged when road conditions allow.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
4-6

To turn off TCS and StabiliTrak, press and hold the
StabiliTrak/TCS button until the TRAC OFF and
STAB SYS OFF messages come on the DIC and the
StabiliTrak/TCS light comes on the instrument panel.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak back on, press and release
the StabiliTrak/TCS button.
When the TCS or StabiliTrak system is turned off, the
StabiliTrak/TCS light and the appropriate TRAC OFF or
STAB SYS OFF message will be displayed on the DIC.
The vehicle will still have brake-traction control when TCS
or StabiliTrak is off, but will not be able to use the engine
speed management system. The StabiliTrak/TCS light
ashes when either system is actively working. See
Traction Control Operation following for more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS) is part of StabiliTrak.
TCS limits wheel slip which is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, TCS applies the brakes to
limit wheel spin and also reduces engine power. The
system may be heard or felt while it is working. This is
normal and does not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed to spin
excessively while the StabiliTrak, ABS and brake
warning lights and any relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Reduce engine power and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and messages are
displayed.
TCS can operate on dry roads under some conditions.
When this happens, the system may be heard working or
a reduction in acceleration may be noticed. This is normal
and does not mean there is a problem with the vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include hard acceleration in
a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of the transmission
or driving on rough roads.
If cruise control is being used when TCS begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be re-engaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
4-8

The message TRACTION FAULT appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when a TCS or Antilock Brake
System (ABS) problem has been detected and the
vehicle needs service. When this message is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-39.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature allows the drive wheel with the most traction
to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it before you enter the
curve, while the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-9

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance is longer and
vehicle control more limited.While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You might not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with four-wheel drive can be used for off-road
driving. Vehicles without four-wheel drive should not
be driven off-road except on a level, solid surface.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Always wear your safety belt and observe safe driving
speeds, especially on rough terrain.
4-12