trailer CHEVROLET KODIAK 2009 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.
1-9

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 comes on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
If the vehicle is equipped with a push button shift
selector, refer to the Allison
®Transmission Operator’s
Manual for shift selector operating instructions.
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
the vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to N (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.
2-28

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,
the 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 the rig from moving.To charge a trailer’s air brake system do the following:
1. Move the 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 the 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 3-47for more information.
For driving with a trailer, the yellow and red knobs, if
equipped, must be pushed in. When you are not pulling a
trailer, the red trailer air supply knob must be pulled out.
2-42

{CAUTION:
If you apply any one of the air brake parking
controls while the vehicle is moving, the 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 warning light and
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 the 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 4-23.
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure
All vehicles which have hydraulic brakes 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. Make sure that there is no other traffic around,
bring the vehicle speed up to 20 mph (32 km/h)
and apply the parking brake. Let the vehicle come
to a complete stop. Apply the base brakes and
disengage the parking brake.
2. Repeat the burnishing procedure in Step 1 a total
of 10 times.
3. Between stops, drive the vehicle about
2.5 miles (4 km).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
damage the transmission and brake system parts.
Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
2-43

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Marker Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Rear Heating System....................................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Trip Odometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-26
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-27
Airbag Off Light............................................3-28
Charging System Light
..................................3-29
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-30
Service Transmission Warning Light................3-30
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator......................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light........3-33
Trailer Antilock Brake System Warning Light.......3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-34
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows
the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into the
red area, your engine
coolant might have
overheated and your
engine may be too hot.
You should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-48. If you have a
Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your Caterpillar®
Operation & Maintenance Manual.
3-34

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................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.......................................................4-11Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-19
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-19
Tow Hooks..................................................4-20
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-20
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-22
Towing..........................................................4-23
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-23
Trailer Connections.......................................4-25
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

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.
4-6

Trailer Connections
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
The 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 the 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 the trailer air line connections will not be connected 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.
4-25

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. If climbing a hill, downshift to raise engine and fan
speeds.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as
fast as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you are parked. If you still have the warning, turn off
the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.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.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5to determine
when to check your power steering fluid.
5-49