trailer CHEVROLET KODIAK 2007 Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your
vehicle is in motion can be dangerous.
Even if you buckle up, your safety belts
cannot do their job when you are reclined
like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job. In a
crash, you could go into it, receiving neck
or other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a
crash the belt could go up over your
abdomen. The belt forces would be there,
not at your pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle
is in motion, have the seatback upright.
Then sit well back in the seat and wear
your safety belt properly.
Chugger-Snubber Lock-Out Feature
If your vehicle has
this feature, the handle
is located on the
outboard side of
the driver’s and
passenger’s seats.
Move the handle down to reduce any backslap
experienced while in tractor/trailer operation
or while operating a dump truck application.
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Overdrive Defeat
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not
to shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when
towing or under a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat
switch is located in
the instrument panel
to the right of the
steering column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to
fourth gear. This will allow for fewer downshifts
while pulling a trailer or under a heavy load.
The indicator light in the switch will come on
whenever overdrive defeat is active.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you are starting to move the vehicle, it is
important to begin with the engine speed at idle.
Then start to engage the clutch and listen for an
engine speed drop of about 100 rpm. At this point,
the clutch is engaging, so you should increase the
engine speed and fully engage the clutch. It is
important not to increase the engine speed sooner
or before the clutch begins its engagement. If you
do, you can cause damage to your vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when
you shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage
the clutch, shift to NEUTRAL and engage the
clutch. When upshifting, slow the engine until the
engine rpm and road speed match. When
downshifting, accelerate the engine until the
engine rpm and road speed match. Then quickly
disengage the clutch and move the shift lever
to the next gear position and engage the clutch.
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Vehicles built for use as tractors or towing
vehicles have two air brake controls. They look
like this:
{CAUTION:
When the yellow PARKING BRAKE and
the red TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are
both pushed in, your rig will be free to
move. It could strike someone or
something. When both of these knobs are
pushed in, hold the regular brake pedal
down to keep your rig from moving.To charge a trailer’s air brake system do the
following:
1. Move your vehicle into the proper position.
2. Apply the parking brake by pulling the yellow
parking brake knob out.
3. Hook up the trailer air system properly.
4. Get into the vehicle.
5. Push and hold down the regular brake pedal.
6. Push in both the yellow parking brake and
the red trailer air supply knobs. This will
charge your trailer’s air system.
After a few minutes, the trailer system should be
fully charged. When it is, the air pressure gage will
show about 125 to 135 psi (862 to 931 kPa).
SeeAir Pressure Gage on page 183for more
information.
127

For driving with a trailer, the yellow and red, if
equipped, knobs must be pushed in. When you are
not pulling a trailer, the red trailer air supply
knob must be pulled out.
{CAUTION:
If you apply any one of the air brake
parking controls while the vehicle is
moving, your rig will stop suddenly. If you
are not ready for this, you or others could
be injured. Do not apply any one of these
controls while you are driving, unless you
have to make an emergency stop.
If the air pressure drops below 60 to 70 psi
(413 to 482 kPa), the primary brake light and
warning buzzer will come on. If the air pressure
drops to 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa), the
red trailer air supply knob will automatically pop
out and apply the spring brakes on the trailer.If the air pressure drops to 35 to 45 psi
(241 to 310 kPa), the yellow park brake knob will
automatically pop out and apply the spring
brakes on the truck or tractor.
If you ever have a complete loss of air so that
your air brakes automatically apply, there is a way
that the tow operator can release the parking
brakes to tow the vehicle. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 241.
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure
All vehicles which have hydraulic brakes will have
a parking brake. It is recommended that the
parking brake be burnished as part of the new
vehicle break-in. The parking brake will work best
after it has been burnished following these
instructions:
1. Making sure that there is no other traffic
around, get the vehicle speed up to
20 mph (32 km/h) and pull up to apply the
parking brake. Let the vehicle come to
a complete stop. Apply the base brakes and
disengage the parking brake.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 140
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 142
Other Warning Devices............................. 142
Horn.......................................................... 142
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 142
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 143
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 144
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 144
Windshield Wipers..................................... 145
Windshield Washer.................................... 146
Cruise Control........................................... 146
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 150
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 150
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 151
Marker Lamps........................................... 152
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 152
Dome Lamps............................................. 153
Entry Lighting............................................ 154
Reading Lamps......................................... 154
Instrument Panel Switchbank..................... 154
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 156
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 157Climate Controls......................................... 157
Climate Control System............................. 157
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 160
Rear Heating System................................ 161
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 162
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 163
Engine Speed Limiter................................ 164
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 164
Safety Belt Reminder Tone....................... 164
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 165
Airbag Off Light......................................... 166
Charging System Light.............................. 167
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 168
Service Transmission Warning Light.......... 168
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator................. 169
Brake System Warning Light..................... 169
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 172
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light........................................ 172
Section 3 Instrument Panel
137

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start
your engine, then
it will turn off. This
is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the BRAKE
or LOW AIR warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have the anti-lock
brake feature. If the BRAKE and/or LOW AIR
warning light is on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 169andAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 212for more information.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly when you turn the ignition
key to ON. If the light does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light is located
above the climate
controls in the center of
the instrument panel.
If your vehicle is connected to a trailer with
anti-lock brakes, this light should come on briefly,
as a check, when you turn on the ignition.
When this light comes on and stays on, it means
there is something wrong in the trailer anti-lock
brake system. Have the system repaired
immediately.
If an anti-lock brake system equipped trailer is not
connected, this light is not functional.
172

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

Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve
If your vehicle has this feature, the control
is mounted on the floor console.
This feature lets you
apply the trailer brakes
without applying the
tractor brakes.
You can apply the trailer brakes a little or apply
them all the way if you have to. Use this control
only when you are driving. Do not use it for
parking or to hold the rig on a hill.{CAUTION:
Using the trailer brake hand control for
parking or for holding the vehicle on a hill
may not keep the vehicle from rolling.
This can happen if someone hits the
valve by accident, or if air pressure bleeds
from the system. If the vehicle rolls,
you or others could be injured. To park
the vehicle or hold it on a hill, use the
parking brake properly.
214

Trailer Connections
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle may be equipped with an eight-wire
trailer towing harness. This harness, with a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty trailer connector,
is attached to a bracket on the platform hitch.
The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
wire is tied next to the trailer wiring harness for
use with a trailer.
The eight-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
•Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
•Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
•Brown: Taillamps
•White: Ground
•Light Green: Back-up Lamps
•Light Blue: CHMSL
•Red: Battery Feed
•Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
Trailer Connections
(C7/C8 Models Only)
If your vehicle has these trailer connections, they
are located at the rear of the cab for a tractor
and at the rear of the chassis when towing
a trailer. There will be an air connection and an
electrical connection.
Be sure that the couplings to the trailer are
made correctly.
Air Connections
If you are not connecting the trailer air line
connections to another piece of equipment,
be sure to replace their protective caps.
Electrical Connections
This system is a seven-wire cable that will
connect to the trailer, supplying power to the
trailer’s lighting system. When not in use, it
is stored in the trailer air-hose storage bracket.
243

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose 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
slightly above the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your 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 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 when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. 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.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
disengages.
294