steering CHEVROLET KODIAK 2007 User Guide

Parking
{CAUTION:
If you do not park your vehicle properly, it
can roll. If you have left the engine
running, it can move very quickly. You or
others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are
on level ground, follow the steps below.
Parking a Vehicle With the Two-Speed
Rear Axle
1. With the engine running, shift the two-speed
rear axle into low. To be sure it is in low, you
will need to move the vehicle in gear just a little.
2. Hold the regular brake pedal down with your
right foot.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL for
manual transmission or PARK (P) for
automatic transmission.
Parking Brake (With Hydraulic
Brakes)
If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes, it has either a
parking brake foot pedal or hand lever. If you
have the parking brake foot pedal, it is located
below the instrument panel to the left of the
steering column.
If you have the parking brake hand lever, it is
located to the right of the driver, on the floor.
Parking Brake Hand Lever Shown
125

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning flashers warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem.
Your front and rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
The hazard warning
flasher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
ignition position the key is in, and even if the
key is not in the ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your
turn signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m)
behind your vehicle.
Horn
Sound the horn by pushing the center of the
steering wheel. If you have the optional air horn, it is
controlled by a cord that you will find up above and
to the left of the driver. The harder you pull on the
cord, the louder the air horn will sound. The air horn
works only after your air brake system pressure
gets up to about 115 psi (790 kPa). The air horn will
work properly unless the air brake system pressure
drops below 60 psi (415 kPa).
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
142

The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel
is located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the wheel to a comfortable position
and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever located on the left side of the steering
column includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 144.
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 144.
•Windshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 145.
•Windshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 146.
•Cruise Control (Option). SeeCruise Control
on page 146.
143

Exterior Lamps
The control located to the left of the steering
column operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
OFF:Turning the control to this position turns
off all lamps except the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together
with the following:
•Marker Lamps
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
O(Headlamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from low to high
beam by pulling the turn signal/multifunction
lever toward you. Pull the lever toward you again
to return to low beam.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you
have an electrical overload, your headlamps
will flicker on and off. Have your headlamp wiring
checked right away if this ever happens.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you have this system, a tone will sound when
your headlamps and/or parking lamps are
turned on and your ignition is in LOCK or
ACCESSORY.
150

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on when you have turned off the airbag, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. The right front
passenger’s airbag could inate even
though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, do not let anyone whom the
national government has identied as a
member of a passenger airbag risk group
sit in the right front passenger’s position
(for example, do not secure a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat) until you have your
vehicle serviced. SeeAirbag Off Switch on
page 76andAirbag Readiness Light on
page 165for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light may be located in
the instrument panel
cluster, or with the
auxiliary warning lights
in the center of the
instrument panel.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the
ignition, before the engine is running, as a check to
show that it is working.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
have your vehicle checked right away. You
could have a loose generator drive belt or some
other problem.
Driving while this light is on will drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light
on, turn off your radio and other accessories.
Sustained driving with a generator failure could
result in a lack of back-up braking if the engine
quits or the power steering pump should fail.
167

Audio System(s)
If your vehicle came without a radio, the wiring
provisions for a radio and an antenna were
installed at the assembly plant, so that if you want,
a radio can be installed at the dealer.
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 206. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 206.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
184

While your vehicle is parked:
•Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
•Familiarize yourself with its operation.
•Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD
player, CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way
radio, make sure that it can be added by
checking with your dealer. Also, check federal
rules covering mobile radio and telephone
units. If sound equipment can be added, it is
very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety
belts, parking brake, and other functions
of your vehicle operate through the
radio/entertainment system. If that equipment
is replaced or additional equipment is added
to your vehicle, the chimes may not work. Make
sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it.
Setting the Time
Press and hold the HR (down) or MIN (up) arrow
for two seconds. Then press HR until the
correct hour appears on the display. Press and
hold MIN until the correct minute appears on
the display. The time can be set with the ignition
on or off.
185

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 206
Defensive Driving...................................... 206
Drunken Driving........................................ 207
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 210
Braking...................................................... 210
Hydraulic Brake Systems........................... 211
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 212
Braking in Emergencies............................. 213
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve.............. 214
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control............ 215
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 216
Steering.................................................... 217
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 219
Passing..................................................... 220
Loss of Control.......................................... 221
Driving at Night......................................... 223Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 224
City Driving............................................... 227
Freeway Driving........................................ 228
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 229
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 230
Winter Driving........................................... 231
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 236
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 236
Tow Hooks................................................ 237
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 238
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment.............................................. 240
Towing........................................................ 241
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 241
Trailer Connections................................... 243
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
205

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 169.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.Average reaction time is about three-fourths of
a second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age,
physical condition, alertness, coordination and
eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs
and frustration. But even in three-fourths of
a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h)
travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so keeping enough
space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry or icy; tire tread; the condition
of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; the
weight of the load; and the amount of brake
force applied.
210

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.Hydraulic Brake Systems
If your engine stops running, or if your primary
brake system stops working, your vehicle has a
reserve power assist system to help you slow down.
Just slowly and steadily apply the brake pedal until
you can safely get off the road. The pedal will seem
harder to push down. Do not pump the pedal; the
system will not work well or at all that way.
You may find that the steering wheel seems hard
to turn when you are turning and braking at
the same time. Also, the primary brake warning
light may come on and the warning tone may
sound. This is normal because the main hydraulic
brake system and power steering both use the
power steering pump. If this ever happens, let up
on the brake pedal a little. When you let up on
the brake pedal in that situation, it lets the steering
get a little more help from the pump.
211