four wheel drive CHEVROLET TAHOE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

Section 1 In Brief
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19 Vehicle Features
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
1-1

A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑26.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on page 4‑3.
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑32.
F. Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑38(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑47.
H. Audio System(s) on page 4‑80.
I. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑11.
J. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15.Instrument
Panel Brightnesson page 4‑14. Fog Lampson
page 4‑13(If Equipped).
K. Hood Release on page 6‑14.
L. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). Towing a Trailer on page 5‑47.
M. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
on page 3‑39or Four-Wheel Drive
(Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case)on
page 3‑44. N.
Cruise Control on page 4‑8.
O. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
P. Horn on page 4‑3.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4‑136.
R. Climate Control System
on page 4‑18orDual
Automatic Climate Control Systemon page 4‑20(If Equipped).
S. Accessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4‑16.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter
on page 4‑17.
T. StabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 3‑30. Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)on page 3‑56(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). See Windshield Washeron
page 4‑6. Power Assist Stepson page 3‑17(If Equipped).
U. Glove Box on page 3‑73.
1-3

SeeClimate Control Systemon page 4‑18andDual
Automatic Climate Control Systemon page 4‑20. For
vehicles with rear heating and air conditioning controls,
see Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
on
page 4‑26and Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System and Electronic Climate Controls on page 4‑28.
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
Base trim shown (uplevel similar)
The Range Selection Mode switch is located on the
shift lever. To enable the Range Selection feature,
move the column shift lever to the M (Manual) position. The current range will appear next to the M. This is the
highest attainable range with all lower gears accessible.
As an example, when 4 (Fourth) gear is selected,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are available.
Press the plus/minus buttons, located on the steering
column shift lever, to select the desired range of
gears for current driving conditions. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation on page 3‑32.
While using Range Selection Mode, cruise control and
the Tow/Haul mode can be used.
Grade Braking is not available when Range Selection
Mode is active. See Tow/Haul Mode on page 3‑38.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has Four-Wheel Drive, you can send the
engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction.
1-19

Automatic Transfer Case
Two Speed Transfer CaseSingle Speed
Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located next to the steering
column. Use this knob to shift into and out of the
different Four-Wheel Drive modes.
2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High): This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are
variable. 4
m(Four-Wheel High):
Use the Four-Wheel-Drive High
position when extra traction is needed, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low): Vehicles with a
two speed transfer case have a Four-Wheel-Drive
Low position. This setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low if
you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep
snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.
N (Neutral): Vehicles with a two speed transfer case
have a N (Neutral) position. Shift the transfer case
to N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing
on page 5‑40or Towing
Your Vehicle on page 5‑40.
See Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
on page 3‑39or Four-Wheel Drive
(Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case) on page 3‑44.
1-20

Section 3 Features and Controls
Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Liftgate/Liftglass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Power Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Content Theft-Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . 3-24
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
. . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Active Fuel Management™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Automatic Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Four-Wheel Drive (Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-50
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Outside Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
3-1

{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park
on page 3‑47. If you are pulling a trailer,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑47.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle has a four-wheel drive transfer
case with a N (Neutral) position, and the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free
to roll —even if the shift lever is in P (Park).
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
Two-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive Low—not in N (Neutral). See
Shifting Into Park
on page 3‑47. Always set the
parking brake.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑27.
3-33

Grade Braking assists in maintaining desired
vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by
automatically implementing a shift schedule that utilizes
the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle. This
reduces wear on the braking system and increases
control of the vehicle. Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque and brake pedal
usage. Using this information, it detects when the truck
is on a downhill grade and the driver desires to slow the
vehicle by pressing the brake.
Also seeTowing a Trailer
on page 5‑47for more
information.
Cruise Grade Braking (Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Automatic Transmission)
Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on a
downhill grade. It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift schedule that uses
the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle.
Cruise Grade Braking operates while Cruise Control is
engaged in Tow/Haul mode to assist in maintaining
vehicle speed under loaded vehicle conditions.
It utilizes vehicle acceleration and deviation from
desired speed to determine the correct gear for the
operating condition. If vehicle speed is above the
desired speed the transmission will downshift to slow
the vehicle. If vehicle speed is near or below desired
speed the trans will upshift, allowing vehicle speed to
increase. While in the Range Select Mode (RSM) mode, Cruise
Grade Braking is not available.
See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑32.
Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed
Automatic Transfer Case)
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send the
engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before using four-wheel
drive.
Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for
an extended period of time may cause premature
wear on your vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive on
clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low for extended periods of time.
While driving on clean dry pavement and during tight
turns, you may experience a vibration in the steering
system.
The vehicle has StabiliTrak
®. Shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. See StabiliTrak®System on page 5‑6.
Front Axle
The front axle engages and disengages automatically
when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the
axle to engage or disengage is normal.
3-39

Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is
located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use this dial to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.
You can choose among five driving settings:
Indicator lights in the switches show you which setting
you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition and the last chosen setting will
stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take
the vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light
will flash while shifting. It will stay on when the shift is
completed. If for some reason the transfer case cannot
make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen
setting. 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):
This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations. The front
axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are
variable. When driving your vehicle in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle's power is primarily
sent to the rear wheels. When the vehicle's software
determines a need for more traction, the system will
transfer more power to the front wheels. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than
Two-Wheel Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High): Use the four-wheel high
position when you need extra traction, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This
setting also engages your front axle to help drive the
vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting also
engages the front axle and delivers extra torque.
You may never need this setting. It sends maximum
power to all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel
Drive Low if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep
mud, deep snow, and while climbing or descending
steep hills.
3-40

The vehicle has StabiliTrak®. Shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak
®off. See StabiliTrak®Systemon
page 5‑6.
{WARNING:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Parking Brake on page 3‑46.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing
on page 5‑40or Towing
Your Vehicleon page 5‑40for more information.
If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE message stays on,
you should take the vehicle to your dealer for service.
See “SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE message” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4‑61.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive High or
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel High or AUTO
position. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel Drive Low. The indicator light
will flash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel High position. This
can be done at any speed, except when shifting from
Four-Wheel Drive Low.
See shifting out of Four-Wheel Drive Low later in this
section for more information.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low
When Four-Wheel Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph (72 km/h). Extended
high-speed operation in 4L may damage or shorten
the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must
be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
3-41

Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive Low position.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator
light to stop flashing and remain on before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the transfer case.
To help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the transmission into gear.
The vehicle may have significant engagement noise
and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Drive Low
and Four-Wheel Drive High ranges or from N (Neutral)
while the engine is running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel Drive Low
position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving,
the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light will flash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift unless the
vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in N (Neutral). After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to Four-Wheel Drive High mode.Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Drive Low
To shift from Four-Wheel Drive Low to Four-Wheel Drive
High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High, the vehicle must
be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the
transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition in ON/RUN.
The preferred method for shifting out of Four-Wheel
Drive Low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel
Drive High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High position.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO,
or Two-Wheel Drive High indicator light to stop flashing
and remain on before shifting the transmission
into gear.
Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the transfer case.
To help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for
the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the transmission into gear.
The vehicle may have significant engagement noise
and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Drive Low
and Four-Wheel Drive High ranges or from N (Neutral)
while the engine is running.
3-42