engine coolant CHEVROLET COLORADO 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
238 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 239
1. Turn the pressure cap slowlycounterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank cap off, start the engine and let
it run until the upper radiator
hose starts getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
mark pointed to on the front of
the coolant surge tank.
5. Replace the cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster to warn of engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0103.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
240 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
distance from the vehicle in front.
If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive normally and
have the cooling system checked
for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan, when the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 241
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch disengages.
This fan noise may also be heard
when starting the engine. It will go
away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
If the vehicle has electric cooling
fan(s), the fans may be heard
spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
high outside temperatures,
or operation of the air conditioning
system, the fans may change to
high speed and an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and indicates that the cooling
system is functioning properly. The
fans will change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.The electric engine cooling fans
may run after the engine has been
turned. off. This is normal and no
service is required.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0227 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
(Continued)

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 9/30/19
316 Service and Maintenance
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0230 and
Engine Oil Life System 0232.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0236.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0241.
. Check tire inflation pressures,
including the spare. See Tire
Pressure 0268.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0275.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 234.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0303.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damage,
including cracks or tears in the
rubber boots, loose or missing parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See
Exterior Care
0 303.
. Inspect power steering for
proper attachment, connections,
binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
. Visually inspect halfshafts and
driveshafts for excessive wear,
lubricant leaks, and/or damage
including: tube dents or cracks,
constant velocity joint or
universal joint looseness,
cracked or missing boots, loose
or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness,
loose or missing fasteners, and
axle seal leaks.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 042.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
. Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0303. .
Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0245.
. Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check
0246.
. Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check 0246.
. Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 246.
. Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
. Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. If the hold
open is low, service the gas
strut. See Gas Strut(s) 0248.
. Verify spare tire key lock
operation and lubricate as
needed. See Tire Changing
0 284.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 9/30/19
Service and Maintenance 325
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
recommended fluids and lubricants section in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission (6 Speed) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (8 Speed) DEXRON-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid. Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL coolant. SeeCooling System 0236.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 230.
Floor Shift Linkage Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2 Category LB or GC-LB.
Front (If Equipped With Four-Wheel Drive) and Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 19352759, in
Canada 88863090).
Hydraulic Brake DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19353126, in Canada 19353127).

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 9/30/19
358 Index
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 133Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . 97, 99
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 340
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Connections
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 354
Control Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . 103
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 135 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 336 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Customer Information
Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 340
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 346
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 345
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Diagnostics
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 355
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 332
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 191
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114, 116
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 141
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 150
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 152
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 9/30/19
Index 359
Driving (cont'd)Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 227
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 167
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 345
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 128
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 124
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 125
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 127
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 234
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Four-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 173, 244
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Fuel
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 141
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566640) - 2020 - CRC - 9/30/19
360 Index
Fuel (cont'd)Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . .112
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 166
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
G
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
GaugesEngine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 313 General Information (cont'd)
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 127
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . .112
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 125
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . .113
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 135
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 150
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . 185
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . 109
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 181
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 135
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . 342
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 99