tires CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Four-Wheel Drive
.................................. 440
Front Axle
............................................ 440
Bulb Replacement
................................ 442
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 444
Tires
..................................................... 448
Appearance Care
.................................. 491
Vehicle Identication
............................. 501
Electrical System
.................................. 502
Capacities and Specications
................ 513Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 515
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 516
Customer Assistance Information
............. 537
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 538
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 552
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
..... 555
Index
.......................................................... 559
2

To shift to the FIRST (1) position, you must rst
press the large button on the shift handle.
While the button is pressed, move the shifter in
the FIRST (1) position.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only
the accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be covered by
your warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin
the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, the engine’s
driving power can be sent to all four wheels
for extra traction. To get the most satisfaction out
of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with
its operation. Read the part that follows before
using four-wheel drive. You should use Two-Wheel
High for most normal driving conditions.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.
Notice:If you continually drive your vehicle
with the transfer case in AUTO or Four-Wheel
Drive, you could shorten the life of the
transfer case or the Four-Wheel Drive system.
The selector switch should be left in
Two-Wheel Drive High mode. Only use AUTO
and Four-Wheel Drive when you need extra
traction such as in wet or slippery road
conditions.
121

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, it
means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 418for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more
of your tires are signicantly underinated.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information
Center (DIC), a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
DIC message will accompany the light, see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 224.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 448for more information.
This light will ash for approximately 70 seconds
and then turn on solid if a problem is detected
with the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 459
for more information.
United StatesCanada
211

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a
cleaner environment. The check engine light comes
on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent.
This may prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and can
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 386.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not come
on, have it repaired. This light will also come on
during a malfunction in one of two ways:
212

CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the engine oil needs
to be changed and service is required for your
vehicle. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 519
andEngine Oil on page 402for more information.
Also seeEngine Oil Life System on page 408
for information on how to reset the message.
This message clears itself after 10 seconds until
the next ignition cycle.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the tire pressure in
one of the vehicle’s tires needs to be checked.
Press any of the DIC buttons, or the trip stem,
to acknowledge this message and clear it from the
DIC display.
If this message appears on the DIC, stop as soon
as you can. Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire Loading
Information label. SeeTires on page 448,Loading
Your Vehicle on page 356, andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 457. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light comes on.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 211.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
This message displays if the washer uid level is
low. Adding washer uid to the windshield washer
uid reservoir clears this message. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 427. This message clears
itself after 10 seconds, or you can press any of the
DIC buttons, or the trip stem, to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
CURB VIEW ACTIVATED
This message displays when the passenger
outside rearview mirror moves into the curb view
position. SeeOutside Curb View Assist Mirror
on page 144for more information.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
This message displays and a chime sounds if
the driver’s door is not fully closed. Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions,
and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Press any of
the DIC buttons, or the trip stem, to acknowledge
this message and clear it from the DIC display.
225

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 386.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 208.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
310

StabiliTrak®will turn off automatically if a problem is
detected in the system. The StabiliTrak®light will
come on and SERVICE STABILITRAK will be
displayed on the DIC. For vehicles without a DIC,
the StabiliTrak
®light and the StabiliTrak®service
light will both come on. If the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message (or StabiliTrak
®service
light) does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 386for more information.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
(TrailBlazer SS)
If your vehicle has this feature, engine power is
sent to all four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage or disengage
the front axle. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself
as needed for road conditions.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
318

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 386.Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane, or
a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a
child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That
is the time for evasive action — steering around
the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking
on page 310. It is better to remove as much speed
as you can from a possible collision. Then steer
around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available.
319

If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow
vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that
someone is not trying to pass you as you
pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember
to glance over your shoulder and check the
blind spot.
Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change signal
before moving out of the right lane to pass.
When you are far enough ahead of the passed
vehicle to see its front in your vehicle’s inside
mirror, activate the right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. Remember
that an outside convex mirror makes the vehicle
you just passed seem farther away from you
than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing
the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps
are not ashing, it might be slowing down or
starting to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
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.
322

If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second
skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For
safety, you want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance is 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 might 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.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for competitive driving. After reviewing your
warranty book, please see the GM Performance
Parts website or catalog for parts and equipment
required for competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during competitive driving and keep
the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 402.
Off-Road Driving (Except SS)
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive. Also, seeBraking on page 310.
If your vehicle does not have four-wheel drive,
you should not drive off-road unless you are
on a level, solid surface.
323