warning CHEVROLET KODIAK 2008 Owner's Guide

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. If you do
not have this system, or if the system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is
slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
4-12

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
•Allow extra following distance.
•Pass with caution.
•Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
•Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-82.
4-14

•Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
•Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
•Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
•Be sure the vehicle is in good shape for winter.
•You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red
cloth, and reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-82.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be
very careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-32.
4-16

If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with
your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
•Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
•Tie a red cloth to your mirror arm to alert police that
you have been stopped by the snow.
•Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, make
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,
rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle if any is blocking your
exhaust pipe. And check around again from
time to time to be sure snow does not collect
there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
4-18

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-6
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-7
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-9
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-9
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-12
Water in Fuel...............................................5-12
Running Out of Fuel.....................................5-17
Fuel Filter Replacement.................................5-18
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-19
Filling the Tank............................................5-20
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-22
Engine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine).............5-23
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-24
Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine)............5-28Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine).....................5-32
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-36
Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX
®/Isuzu
Diesel Engines).........................................5-37
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar
®Diesel
Engine)....................................................5-39
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-39
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-43
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-43
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines).....5-44
Engine Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX®/
Isuzu 7.8L L6 Engines)..............................5-44
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-47
Engine Overheating.......................................5-48
Cooling System............................................5-50
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-54
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-54
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-55
Brakes........................................................5-57
Battery........................................................5-66
Jump Starting...............................................5-67
Rear Axle.......................................................5-72
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Aftermarket Engine Performance
Enhancement Products and
Modications
Some aftermarket engine performance products and
modifications promise a way to increase the horsepower
and torque levels of your vehicle’s powertrain. You
should be aware that these products could have harmful
effects on the performance and life of the engine, exhaust
emission system, transmission, and drivetrain. The
engines, transmissions, and drivetrains have been
designed and built to offer industry leading durability and
performance in the most demanding applications. Engine
power enhancement products may enable the engine to
operate at horsepower and torque levels that could
damage, create failure, or reduce the life of the engine,
engine emission system, transmission, and drivetrain.
Damage, failure, or reduced life of the engine,
transmission, emission system, drivetrain, or other
vehicle components caused by aftermarket engine
performance enhancement products or modifications
may not be covered under your vehicle warranty.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Engine exhaust, many parts and systems (including
some inside the vehicle), many fluids, and some
component wear by-products contain and/or emit these
chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteries
contained in remote keyless entry transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials. Special handling may be
necessary. For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
5-5

Water In Fuel Light
Problem Recommended Action
Light comes on
intermittently.Drain water from the fuel
filter.
Light stays on at
temperatures above
freezing.Drain the fuel filter
immediately. If no water
can be drained and the
light stays on, see your
dealer/retailer for
assistance.
Light stays on at
temperatures below
freezing.Drain the fuel filter
immediately. If no water
can be drained, water
may be frozen in the
water drain system, or in
the fuel lines. Move the
vehicle to a warm location
to thaw out, and then
drain the filter system.
Light stays on
immediately after
refueling, and a large
amount of water was
possibly pumped into the
fuel tank.Fuel tank purging is
required. See your
dealer/retailer for
assistance.Notice:If you drive when this warning indicator is
on, you can damage your fuel injection system
and your engine. If the indicator comes on right after
you refuel, it means water was pumped into your
fuel tank. Turn off your engine immediately.
Then, have the water drained at once.
To drain water, do the following:
1. Stop and park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off
the engine and apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the fuel cap.
3. Place a fuel-resistant container under the fuel filter.
The filter drain valve is located on the bottom of the
fuel filter.
If your vehicle has the 6.6L engine, the fuel filter is
located in the engine compartment on the driver’s
side of the vehicle. If your vehicle has either the
7.2L or 7.8L engine, the fuel filters are located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle, and on the driver’s side frame rail in front of
the fuel tank.
5-13

5. Reinstall and tighten the filter container and
reconnect the water sensor wire to the filter.
6. Use the fuel filter priming procedure earlier in this
section to prime the fuel filter.
7. Tighten the air bleed valve by turning it clockwise
until hand-tight.
8. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes.
Check your fuel filter and air bleed valve for
leaks.
How to Reset Fuel Filter Change
Light - DURAMAX®6.6L (LMM) Engine
The engine controller calculates when to change
the fuel filter based on vehicle and fuel use. Anytime
your fuel filter is changed, reset the fuel filter light so the
engine controller can calculate when the next fuel filter
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your fuel filter prior to a change fuel filter light
being turned on, reset the fuel filter change light.To reset the Fuel Filter Change light:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off
2. Fully press the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time for 10 seconds. If the Fuel Filter Change
light flashes for 5 seconds, the system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF
If the Fuel Filter Change light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the light has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure. SeeChange Fuel Filter Warning Light on
page 3-44for more information.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be
covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-19

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Oil Life System
(DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Diesel Engines)
When to Change Engine Oil
If your vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System, it has a
computer system that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and filter. This is based on injection timing,
engine load and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage atwhich an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on. See
Change Engine Oil Light on page 3-38. Change the
oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km) or 30 hours of engine operation, whichever
occurs first. It is possible that, if you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system might not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a
year and at this time the system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine parts and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 15,000 miles (24 000 km), or 150 hours
of engine operation, whichever occurs first, since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-37

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a change engine oil light
being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within five seconds.
If the change engine oil light is turned off, the
system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the Engine Oil Life System has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of used oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling center for help.
5-38