brake CHEVROLET KODIAK 2008 Owner's Guide

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake or clutch takes you out of cruise
control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble
and don’t use cruise control on steep hills.
If your vehicle is equipped with the exhaust brake option
and the exhaust brake is turned on, the exhaust brake
may come on and try to slow down the vehicle to the set
cruise control speed if the vehicle has accelerated
past the set cruise control speed while going downhill.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four different ways to turn off the cruise
control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal
(manual and automatic transmissions).
•Press the clutch pedal to the floor
(manual transmissions).
•Move the cruise switch to off, or
•Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the ignition, your cruise control set
speed memory is erased.
3-13

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.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on
at reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
•The ignition is on,
•the exterior lamp control is off, and
•the parking brake is released.When the DRL are on, only the headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not
be on. Your instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it gets dark, the
DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn the
headlamps on.
When the headlamps are turned on, the other lamps
that come on with the headlamps will be on.
When the headlamps are turned off, the regular lamps
will go off, and your low-beam headlamps will change
to the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until the parking brake
is released.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when it is needed.
3-15

Instrument Panel SwitchbankThis switchbank is located in the center of the instrument
panel.
e(Marker Lamp Defeat Switch):SeeMarker Lamps
on page 3-16.
g/j(Power Take Off/Manual High Idle Switch):
SeePower Take-Off (PTO) on page 2-32andHigh
Idle System on page 2-20.
i(Traction Control Switch):SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.
f(Outside Heated Mirror Switch):SeeOutside
Heated Mirrors on page 2-52.
L(Diesel Particulate Filter Switch):SeeDiesel
Particulate Filter (Diesel Engine) on page 2-46.
h(Rear Air Suspension Dump Control
Switch):SeeAir Suspension on page 2-44.
k(Rear Axle Shift Control Switch):SeeTwo-Speed
Rear Axle on page 2-27.
q(Exhaust Brake Switch):SeeDiesel Engine
Exhaust Brake on page 2-26.
3-18

Range Inhibit Warning Indicator
If your vehicle has an Allison 1000/2200/2300/2500 series
automatic transmission, a lighted bar under the current
gear selected will flash.
If your vehicle has an Allison 3000/3500 series
automatic transmission, the current gear selected on
the pushbutton display will flash.
The flashing bar or gear selection indicates that
transmission range shifts may not occur.
For detailed information on shift inhibit limitations, see
the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual in
your vehicle for further information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle has either hydraulic or air brakes.
Each system has different warning lights.
Hydraulic Brake System Warning Lights
Vehicles with hydraulic brake systems have two brake
system warning lights on the instrument panel.
If the brake warning light
comes on, it means that
the fluid level in the master
cylinder reservoir is low or
there is another problem
with your hydraulic brakes.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it does not come on, then have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
The brake warning light may come on, and the warning
tone may sound, when you are turning and braking
at the same time. This is normal. See “Hydraulic Brake
Systems” underBraking on page 4-4.
3-32

Parking Brake Warning Light
Your vehicle has a brake warning light. When the
ignition is on, this light will come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully.
This light should also come on when you turn the
ignition key to START. If it does not come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to remind you if the parking
brake is applied or has not released fully.
Air Brake System Warning Light
Vehicles with air brake systems have a brake system
warning light on the instrument panel.
The low air warning light
should come on, as a
check, whenever you start
the engine.
However, it is designed to come on, and stay on, when
brake reservoir pressure has dropped below 60 psi
(410 kPa).When the warning light comes on while you are driving,
you should drive only as far as the nearest point of
safety and then stop the vehicle. Here is a very
important thing for you to know:
{CAUTION:
If the air brake system warning light comes on
and the warning tone sounds, the vehicle can
stop suddenly and without further warning.
This is because the parking brake will come on
if the pressure falls below 35 to 45 psi (240 to
310 kPa). You or others could be injured. If the
air brake system warning light comes on and
the warning tone sounds, stop as soon as you
can. You will not know how quickly the system
is losing pressure, so be aware that the
parking brake may come on suddenly.
3-33

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
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 antilock brake feature. If the brake
and/or low air warning light is on, you do not have
antilock brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32
andAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5for
more information.
Trailer Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle is connected
to a trailer with antilock
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 Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Have the system repaired immediately.
If an ABS equipped trailer is not connected, this
light is not functional.
3-34

Exhaust Brake Indicator Light
For vehicles with an
exhaust brake, this light is
located above the
climate controls.
The exhaust brake indicator light will come on and stay
on whenever the diesel engine exhaust brake or
exhaust restrictor is active. For more information,
seeDiesel Engine Exhaust Brake on page 2-26and
Exhaust Restrictor (Engine Warm-Up) on page 2-22.
Differential Lock Indicator Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light is
located in the center of
the instrument panel.
The light is on when the
rear differential lock system
is in use.
The light will come on momentarily during starting.
If the light fails to come on, have it repaired as soon as
possible so you will be aware when the lock system
is in use.
SeeRear Axle Differential Lock Control on page 4-7for
more information.
3-40

Air Pressure Gage
If your vehicle has air
brakes, the air pressure
gage is located above the
switchbank in the center
of the instrument panel.
This gage shows the air pressure for both your front
and rear brake systems.
If the needle on the gage indicates that the air pressure
is below 60 to 75 psi (415 to 517 kPa), the low air
warning light will come on. An alarm will also sound if
this happens.
The bottom yellow pointer shows the pressure available
for the front secondary system, while the top white
pointer shows pressure for the rear primary system.
There should be no more than 4 psi (28 kPa) difference
showing between the systems.
Don’t drive until both pointers are showing at least
120 psi (827 kPa), so you’ll have enough air if you need
to apply your brakes.
Hourmeter Gage
To access the engine hourmeter gage, press the trip
odometer button three times.
The instrument panel cluster displays the accumulated
engine run time hours using the reconfigurable
odometer display. The engine run time hours displays
only when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF or
ACC/ACCESSORY position and the trip reset button is
pressed for about four seconds. The value of the
accumulated hours does not change when the battery
is disconnected.
The hourmeter resets to 0.0 when 10,000 hours are
accumulated. The instrument panel cluster begins
to reaccumulate the engine run time hours from
0.0 hours.
3-46

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/retailer.
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with 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. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here are
some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.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/retailer. 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.
3-47

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Hydraulic Brake Systems.................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve......................4-6
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control....................4-7
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-15
Winter Driving..............................................4-16
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-19
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-20
Tow Hooks..................................................4-20
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-21
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-23
Towing..........................................................4-24
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-24
Trailer Connections.......................................4-26
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1