towing CHEVROLET COLORADO 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-13
Child Restraints
.......................................1-35
Airbag System
.........................................1-62
Restraint System Check
............................1-77
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-39
OnStar
®System
......................................2-43
Storage Areas
.........................................2-46
Sunroof
..................................................2-49
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-21
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-35
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-43Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-40
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-46
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-47
Front Axle
...............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-54
Tires
......................................................5-56
Appearance Care
...................................5-101
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-109
Electrical System
....................................5-110
Capacities and Specications
...................5-117
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2009 Chevrolet Colorado Owner ManualM

If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking feature will be engaged.
This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensing
system to turn the airbag off for some adult size
occupants. If this happens, let the belt go back all the
way and start again.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,
seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We recommend
that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment except when approved by GM for your specic
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-76for more information about
modications that can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 7-15.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualied to do so.
1-75

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-47for the trailer towing
capabilities of the vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has
four different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the ignition to ON/RUN and
apply the regular brake pedal.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is
all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your
dealer/retailer.
2-19

Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle has a shift lever on the steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display is powered anytime
the shift lever is capable of being moved out of P (Park).
This means that if the ignition is turned off, but not in
LOCK/OFF, there will be a small current drain on
the battery which could discharge the battery over a
period of time. If you need to leave the key in the ignition
but not in LOCK/OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery to prevent discharging the battery.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the 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 4-47.
2-24

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 4-11.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive)
without using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third)
instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads,
or when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears and when going down a steep hill.
2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You
can use 2 (Second) to help control vehicle speed on
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use the brakes off and on.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If
the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle
is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into
rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Manual Transmission Operation
This is your shift pattern.
Here is how to operate the manual transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you slowly
press down on the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
20 mph (30 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop
and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
Neutral and let up on the clutch. Then press the clutch
pedal back down and shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
2-26

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-41or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-40for further
information.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low will turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak
®off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8andStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6for
more information.
Use these buttons to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive. You can choose from the following:
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving in
most street and highway situations. The front axle is not
engaged in two-wheel drive.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the
vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park),
or if you have a manual transmission, even if you
are in gear. You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in Neutral. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-32.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):This setting engages the front
axle to help drive the vehicle. Use four-wheel high
when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy
roads, or in most off-road situations.
2-29

If the Four-Wheel Low button is pressed when the
vehicle is in gear and/or moving faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h), the four-wheel low indicator light will ash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift.
Shifting from Four-Wheel Low to
Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Two-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel High, the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission
in N (Neutral) for an automatic transmission or the
clutch pedal pressed for a manual transmission. The
preferred method for shifting out of four-wheel low is to
have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel
High button. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High
or Two-Wheel High indicator light to stop ashing and
stay on before shifting the transmission into gear or
releasing the clutch pedal.
If the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel High button is
pressed when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving faster
than 3 mph (5km/h), the Four-Wheel High or Two Wheel
High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds but not
complete the shift.
Shifting to Neutral
Use N (Neutral) when you plan to tow the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-41for towing
instructions. To shift the transfer case into N (Neutral) do
the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Press the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission in N (Neutral), or press in the clutch for
vehicles with a manual transmission.
4. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
5. Press and hold the Two-Wheel High and
Four-Wheel Low buttons at the same time for
10 seconds. The N (Neutral) light will come on when
the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
6. Press and hold the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission to R (Reverse) for one second, then
shift the transmission to D (Drive) for one second, or
1 (First) for vehicles with manual transmissions, and
let out the clutch to insure the transfer case is in
N (Neutral). If the transfer case is not in N (Neutral),
repeat this procedure starting at Step 3.
7. Turn the engine off by turning the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
2-31

8. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park), or
1 (First) for vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
After towing the vehicle, you will have to shift out of
N (Neutral) in order to drive. To shift out of N (Neutral),
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Start a vehicle with an automatic transmission in
P (Park). Use 1 (First) for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral), or press the
clutch pedal for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel High, or
Four-Wheel Low).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral),
the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission to the desired position.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
then push the parking brake pedal down to its
fully-applied position.
2-32

A chime will activate and the brake warning light, located
on the instrument panel, will ash when the parking brake
is applied and the vehicle is moving at least 3 mph
(5 km/h) for at least three seconds. The chime will
deactivate and the light will turn off when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is moving below 3 mph
(5 km/h). SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, directly rearward to release the parking
brake.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-47.
2-33

Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow. If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-47.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, the vehicle will be free
to roll — even if the shift lever is in P (Park) — if the
transfer case is in N (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 N (Neutral).
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling the
lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the key, the vehicle is in
P (Park).
2-34