off road CHEVROLET COLORADO 2023 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 2023, Model line: COLORADO, Model: CHEVROLET COLORADO 2023Pages: 362, PDF Size: 13.62 MB
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Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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182 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
cause loss of control and a crash.
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help load the vehicle the
right way.
{Warning
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden
stop or turn, or in a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever
you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in this
manual. See “Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving“ underOff-Road
Driving 0172. Two-Tiered Loading
Depending on the model of the pickup,
an upper load platform can be created
by positioning three or four 5 cm (2 in)
by 15 cm (6 in) wooden planks across
the width of the pickup box. The planks
must be inserted in the pickup box
depressions.
When using this upper load platform,
be sure the load is securely tied down
to prevent it from shifting. The load's
center of gravity should be positioned
in a zone over the rear axle. The zone is
located in the area between the front
of each wheel well and the rear of each
wheel well. The center of gravity height
must not extend above the top of the
pickup box flareboard.
Any load that extends beyond the
vehicle's taillamp area must be properly
marked according to local laws and
regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.
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192 Driving and Operating
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may display
if the automatic transmission fluid is too
hot. Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle the
engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message clears
when the transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press
the accelerator pedal down. D (Drive) can be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the transmission to
a lower gear range selection if the
transmission shifts too often. See
Manual
Mode 0193.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery
road conditions could result in skidding. See
“Skidding” underLoss of Control 0171.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature
that adjusts the transmission shifting to the
current driving conditions in order to reduce
rapid upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an upshift, if the
engine is able to maintain vehicle speed by
analyzing things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load. If the
shift stabilization feature determines that a
current vehicle speed cannot be maintained,
the transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear. In some
cases, this could appear to be a delayed
shift, however the transmission is operating
normally. The transmission uses adaptive shift
controls. The adaptive shift control process
continually compares key shift parameters
to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the
transmission’s computer. The transmission
constantly makes adjustments to improve
vehicle performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as with a heavy
load or when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process,
shifting might feel different as the
transmission determines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the
transmission's gear shifting could be delayed
providing more stable shifts until the engine
warms up. Shifts could be more noticeable
with a cold transmission. This difference in
shifting is normal.
L :
This position allows selection of a range
of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. See Manual Mode0193.
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Driving and Operating 195
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off by
pressing the button on the center stack.
When the Tow/Haul Mode is enabled, a
light on the instrument cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light 090 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0176.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing
Equipment 0228.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, the Tow/
Haul button activates the exhaust brake
system simultaneously. See “Exhaust Brake”
in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the
front axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in
4
m, or 4nfor an extended period of
time. These conditions may cause:
.Overheating.
.Oil leakage.
.Damage to internal and external
components of the front axle.
.Premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
mor
4
nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.
.Cause additional driveline noise.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll if the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), even when the shift
lever is in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear —2
m, 4m,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or 4n— or set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
See Shifting Into Park 0188.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4n
may damage or shorten the life of the
drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when shifting
between 4
nand 4mor from N (Neutral),
with the engine running, is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) off. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0202.
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196 Driving and Operating
Electronic Transfer Case
Use the transfer case shift knob, next to the
steering wheel, to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive for extra traction.
All of the lights will flash on then off
momentarily when the ignition is turned on.
The light that remains on will indicate the
state of the transfer case.
If the indicator mark on the shift knob does
not match up with the light then that likely
means the knob was moved when the
ignition was off.
The indicator mark on the shift knob must
line up with the indicator light before a shift
can be commanded. To command a shift
rotate the transfer case shift knob to thenew desired position. The light will flash
meaning that the shift is in progress. When
the shift is completed the new position will
be illuminated. If the transfer case cannot
complete a shift command, it will go back to
its last chosen setting.
In extreme cold weather it may be
necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to
shift from 2
mto 4m.
Delayed shifts from 4
mto 2mmay be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low
tire pressure, high vehicle loading, or cold
temperatures.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the
transfer case.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0301 or
Towing the Vehicle 0300. 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :
Use for driving
on most streets and highways. The front
axle is not engaged. This setting provides
the best fuel economy.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting
engages the front axle and delivers extra
torque. Choose 4
nif driving off-road in deep
sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills. When
engaged, keep vehicle speed below 72 km/h
(45 mph).
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0202.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use when
extra traction is needed. The front axle
engages and helps when driving on snowy
or icy roads, and when off-roading. The
vehicle can be shifted from 2
mto 4mwhile
the vehicle is moving.
Shifting Into 4
m
Turn the knob to 4mat any speed up to
121 km/h (75 mph), except from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting and
will remain on the selected setting.
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198 Driving and Operating
4. Turn the transfer case shift knob to 2m.
After the transfer case has shifted out of
N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will
go out.
5. Shift to P (Park).
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the
transfer case.
6. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transfer Case
Except ZR2
ZR2 Only
For ZR2 locking axle information, see Locking
Rear Axle 0205 and
Locking Front Axle 0206.
For ZR2 Off-Road Mode information, see
Driver Mode Control 0205.
Use the transfer case shift knob next to the
steering wheel to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
All of the lights will flash on then off
momentarily when the ignition is turned on.
The light that remains on will indicate the
state of the transfer case. If the indicator mark on the knob does not
match up with the light then that likely
means the knob was moved when the
ignition was off.
The indicator mark on the knob must line
up with the indicator light before a shift can
be commanded. To command a shift rotate
the transfer case shift knob to the new
desired position. The light will flash meaning
that the shift is in progress. When the shift
is completed the new position will be
illuminated. If the transfer case cannot
complete a shift command, it will go back to
its last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the vehicle
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0301 or
Towing the Vehicle 0300.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for driving
on most streets and highways. The front
axle is not engaged. This setting provides
the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : Use
when road surface conditions are variable.
When driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is sent to
the front and rear wheels automatically
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Driving and Operating 199
based on driving conditions. This setting
provides slightly lower fuel economy than
2
m.
Do not use AUTO mode, if equipped, to park
on a steep grade with poor traction such as
ice, snow, mud, or gravel. In AUTO mode
only the rear wheels will hold the vehicle
from sliding when parked. If parking on a
steep grade, use 4
mto keep all four wheels
engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : This setting
engages the front axle. Use this position
when extra traction is needed, such as when
driving on snowy or icy roads, or when
off-roading.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting
engages the front axle and delivers extra
torque. Choose 4
nwhen driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and
while climbing or descending steep hills.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0202. Shifting Into 4
mor AUTO
Turn the knob to the 4
mor AUTO position
at any speed, except from 4
n. The indicator
light will flash while shifting and will remain
on when the shift is completed.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed, except
when shifting from 4
n. The indicator light
will flash while shifting and will remain on
when the shift is completed.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, keep vehicle speed
below 72 km/h (45 mph).
To shift into 4
n:
1. The ignition must be on and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in
N (Neutral). It is best for the vehicle to
be moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
n. Wait for the 4n
indicator light to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the
transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or moving
more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4
nindicator
light will flash for 30 seconds, but will not
complete the shift. After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to 4
m. Turn the knob
to 4
mto display the indicator. With the
vehicle moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph),
and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt
the shift again.
Shifting Out of 4
n
To shift:
1. The vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the
transmission in N (Neutral) and the
ignition on. It is best for the vehicle to
be moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
m, AUTO, or 2m. Wait
for the 4
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator light
to stop flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
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202 Driving and Operating
pedal release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator pedal is
applied or automatically release after a few
seconds. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCSapplies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0177 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section. When the transfer case (if equipped) is in 4
n, the stability system is automatically
disabled, and
gcomes on in the instrument
cluster. Both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC are
automatically disabled.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
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204 Driving and Operating
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again, press
and release
g. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak/ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically turn on if
the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph). TCS
will remain off until
gis pressed or until
the ignition is turned off and then back on.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0237.
Stability Control Interaction with
Off-Road Mode (ZR2 Only)
The TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC calibrations are
different while in Off-Road Mode. They
provide optimum performance in an off-road
environment.
Pressing and releasing
gwhile in Off-Road
Mode disables TCS and changes the
StabiliTrak/ESC calibration to allow a greater
difference between vehicle path and
intended path. This reduces the amount of correction StabiliTrak/ESC will provide in the
event the vehicle is not traveling on the
intended path.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil a StabiliTrak/ESC off
message displays in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g.iandgin the
instrument cluster will turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will not automatically turn
on while in Off-Road Mode. TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC will remain off in Off-Road
Mode until
gis pressed or the ignition is
turned off and then back on.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used when driving
downhill. It sets and maintains vehicle speed
while descending a very steep incline in a
forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center stack,
below the climate controls.
Press
5to enable or disable HDC. Vehicle
speed must be below 60 km/h (37 mph).
The HDC light displays on the instrument
cluster when enabled.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds between
4 and 30 km/h (3 and 19 mph) on an incline
greater than or equal to a 10% grade.
A blinking HDC light indicates that the
system is actively applying the brakes to
maintain vehicle speed.
When HDC is set, that is the initial set
speed. It can be increased or decreased by
applying the accelerator or brake pedal.
Smaller HDC speed control adjustments are
accomplished using the cruise up or down
buttons. Each tap of the +RES will increase
the set speed by 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph), while
each tap of the SET– will decrease the set
speed by 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph). This adjusted
speed becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between 30 and
60 km/h (19 and 37 mph), however vehicle
speed cannot be set or maintained in this
range. It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph) or
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Driving and Operating 205
above 60 km/h (37 mph) for at least
30 seconds.
5must be pressed again to
re-enable HDC.
When enabled, if the vehicle is at a speed
above 30 km/h (19 mph) and less than
60 km/h (37 mph), a DIC message will
display instructing the driver to reduce
speed for HDC operation.
Cruise control will not function while HDC is
enabled and vehicle speed is below 40 km/h
(25 mph).
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control (DMC) allows the driver
to adjust the overall driving character to
better suit preference or specific driving
scenarios by adjusting multiple sub-system
calibrations simultaneously. Mode
availability is dependent upon vehicle trim
level, region, and optional features.
Transfer Case Knob with Off-Road Mode
Off-Road Mode
Use this mode for off-road recreational
driving at moderate speeds, on grass, gravel,
dirt, unpaved roads, or snow-covered roads.
The accelerator pedal will be more sensitive
to provide finer control of the torque at the
wheels. StabiliTrak/Electroinic Stability
Control (ESC), the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), and the Traction Control System(TCS)
will change for optimal off-road
performance.
For more information on off-road driving.
See Off-Road Driving 0172 For more information, on disabling the TCS
and StabiliTrak/ESC systems. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0202.
Off-Road Mode also interacts with the axle
locking system. It allows the vehicle to
travel at higher speeds with a locked rear
axle. See Locking Rear Axle 0205.
Limited-Slip Differential
If equipped, the limited-slip differential 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. For
vehicles with the limited-slip differential,
driven under severe conditions, the rear axle
fluid should be changed. See Maintenance
Schedule 0314.
Locking Rear Axle
If equipped, the locking rear axle can give
the vehicle additional traction from the rear
wheels when traveling in off-road situations
such as mud, snow, steep hills, and uneven
terrain.
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206 Driving and Operating
Caution
If you try to lock the axle while the
vehicle is stuck and the tires are spinning,
the vehicle’s drivetrain could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always lock the axle
before attempting situations and/or
navigating terrain that could cause the
vehicle to become stuck.
Caution
If the vehicle’s axle is locked while driving
on pavement, the drivetrain could be
damaged. Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not use the
locking axle on pavement.
Before the front axle can be locked, the rear
axle must be locked and the transfer case
must be in 4
n.
To lock the rear axle: 1. Press the rear axle locking switch with the vehicle moving less than 40 km/h
(25 mph).
2. Wait for the light in the switch to stop flashing and remain illuminated to show
that the rear axle is locked.
The locking rear axle will be disengaged
when the vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h
(25 mph). The Off-Road Mode allows the
axle lock to remain engaged at higher
vehicle speeds.
After pressing the switch to unlock the axle,
it may remain locked due to torque in the
driveline. The axle is more easily unlocked by turning the steering wheel to the right
and to the left while traveling at a low
speed.
Locking Front Axle
If equipped, the locking front axle can give
the vehicle additional traction when
traveling in off-road situations such as mud,
snow, steep hills, and uneven terrain.
Caution
If you try to lock the axle while the
vehicle is stuck and the tires are spinning,
the vehicle’s drivetrain could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always lock the axle
(Continued)