automatic transmission HUMMER H3 2006 Owner's Manual

SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with the transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 2-22
for more information about the transfer case. Press and
release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
SERVICE STAB (Stability)
SYS (System)
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will be
displayed if there is a problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer. SeeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-11for more information.
SERV (Service) TPM
(Tire Pressure Monitor)
This message will be displayed if any of the tire monitor
sensors have malfunctioned, if the tire monitor sensors
have not been programmed, or if the recommended
tire pressures are not programmed. See your GM dealer
for service. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
This message will appear at each ignition cycle until
the system is serviced. See your GM dealer.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-61for
more information.
SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message will be displayed if your vehicle needs
service. You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
STAB (Stability) SYS (System) OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will be
displayed when the StabiliTrak®system is turned
off. SeeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic Transmission)
on page 4-11for more information.
3-47

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
StabiliTrak
®System
(Automatic Transmission)............................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-36Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-37
City Driving..................................................4-40
Freeway Driving...........................................4-41
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-42
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-43
Winter Driving..............................................4-45
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-50
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-50
Recovery Loops...........................................4-51
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-52
Towing..........................................................4-57
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-57
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-57
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-59
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-70
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system applies the
brakes to limit wheel spin and also reduces engine
power. You may feel or hear the system working, but
this is normal.
The Traction Control System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration or a pumping sound.
This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with
your vehicle. Examples of these conditions include hard
acceleration in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 3-11.
If your vehicle has a Driver information Center (DIC), a
TRACTION FAILED message will appear when a
Traction Control System or Anti-Lock Brake System
problem has been detected and the vehicle needs
service. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-44
for more information.When this message is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to.
To turn the system off,
press and release the TCS
button located on the
instrument panel.
This light will come on
steady when the traction
control system has
been turned off. This
light ashes when TCS
is active.
4-9

If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and a TRAC OFF message
will appear on the DIC. Press the TC button again to
turn the system back on. The TRAC OFF message will
then go off. The traction control system will reset
itself at each ignition cycle. If your vehicle also has
StabiliTrak
®, seeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-11for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3for more information.
Locking Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. The locking rear
axle can give your vehicle additional traction from the rear
wheels when traveling in off-road situations such as mud,
snow, sand, steep hills and uneven terrain.
The button used to turn
this feature on or off is
located to the right of the
transfer case buttons
on the center of the
instrument panel.To lock the rear axle, do the following:
1. Place the transfer case in the 4LO Lock mode. This
is the only mode which will allow the rear axle to
lock. SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 2-22for
more information regarding the transfer case and
4LO Lock mode.
2. Press the button with the vehicle stopped or moving
less than 2 mph (3 km/h).
You must wait for the light in the button to stop ashing
and remain illuminated before the rear axle is locked.
Notice:If you try to lock the rear axle while
your vehicle is stuck and the tires are spinning, you
could damage your vehicle’s drivetrain. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Always lock the rear axle before attempting
situations and/or navigating terrain which could
possibly cause the vehicle to become stuck.
The locking rear axle will be disengaged when the
wheel speed is greater than 20 mph (32 km/h), if the
vehicle’s battery is low and/or the transfer case is shifted
out of 4LO Lock mode.
Notice:If you lock the rear axle while driving on
pavement, you could damage your vehicle’s
drivetrain. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not use the locking rear axle on
pavement. If you need four-wheel drive when
traveling on pavement, use only 4HI.
4-10

StabiliTrak®System (Automatic
Transmission)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.Itisan
advanced computer controlled system that assists you
with directional control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak
®
selectively applies braking pressure at any one of
the vehicle’s brakes to assist the driver with keeping the
vehicle on the intended path.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to
insure there are no problems. You may hear or feel
the system working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with your vehicle.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STAB SYS message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warningsand Messages on page 3-44for more information.
When this message is displayed, the system is
not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
StabiliTrak
®comes on automatically whenever you start
your vehicle. However, when the transfer case is
placed in Four-Wheel-Low Lock mode, StabiliTrak
®is
automatically disabled. SeeAll-Wheel Drive on
page 2-22for more information. To help assist you with
directional control of the vehicle, you should always
leave the system on. You can turn StabiliTrak
®off if you
ever need to using the TC (traction control) on/off
button. If you press and hold the TC button for
ve seconds, the StabiliTrak
®system and the traction
control system will turn off. When this is done, the STAB
SYS OFF message will be displayed on the DIC.
Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak
®back on.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the StabiliTrak
®
activates, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may reengage the cruise control. See “
Cruise Control on page 3-11for more information.
4-11

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 your 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.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. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9andStabiliTrak
®System
(Automatic Transmission) on page 4-11.
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 your 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-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-12

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, your 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.Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction system is off,
then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9andStabiliTrak
®
System (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-11.
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
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 engine braking 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.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-16

{CAUTION:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed
can cause an accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another
vehicle. You could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
Q:What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is about
to stall, and I cannot make it up the hill?
A:If this happens, there are some things you should
do, and there are some things you must not do.
First, here is what youshoulddo:
Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it
from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking
brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the transmission to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly
back down the hill in REVERSE (R).
If your engine has stopped running, you will need to
restart it. With the brake pedal pressed, apply the
parking brake. If you have an automatic
transmission, shift the transmission to PARK (P).Restart the engine. Then, shift to REVERSE (R),
release the parking brake, and slowly back down the
hill as straight as possible in REVERSE (R).
As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. This
way, you will be able to tell if your wheels are straight
and maneuver as you back down. It is best that you
back down the hill with your wheels straight rather
than in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel
too far to the left or right will increase the possibility
of a rollover.
Here are some things youmust notdo if you stall, or
are about to stall, when going up a hill:
Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
NEUTRAL (N) to rev-up the engine and regain
forward momentum. This will not work. Your vehicle
will roll backwards very quickly and you could go
out of control.
Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle.
Then apply the parking brake. Shift to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and
slowly back straight down.
Never attempt to turn around if you are about to
stall when going up a hill. If the hill is steep
enough to stall your vehicle, it is steep enough to
cause you to roll over if you turn around. If you
cannot make it up the hill, you must back straight
down the hill.
4-29

Q:Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the
hill and decide I just cannot do it. What should
I do?
A:Set the parking brake. If you have an automatic
transmission, shift to PARK (P). Turn off the
engine. Leave the vehicle and go get some help.
Exit on the uphill side and stay clear of the path the
vehicle would take if it rolled downhill. Do not
shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL when you leave
the vehicle. Leave it in some gear.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or, if you have a
manual transmission, even if you are in gear.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
This is because the NEUTRAL position on the
transfer case overrides the transmission. You
or someone else could be injured. If you are
going to leave your vehicle, set the parking
brake and shift the transmission to PARK (P),
or, put the manual transmission in FIRST (1).
But do not shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
Leave the transfer case in the Four-Wheel
High, Four-Wheel-High Lock, or
Four-Wheel-Low Lock position.
4-30

Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you will want to
consider a number of things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What is the surface like? Smooth? Rough?
Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden
creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to
keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a
low gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes
and they will not have to do all the work. Descend
slowly, keeping your vehicle under control at all times.
{CAUTION:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can
cause your brakes to overheat and fade. This
could cause loss of control and a serious
accident. Apply the brakes lightly when
descending a hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
Q:Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you
ignore them you could lose control and have a
serious accident:
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that is not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive
across. You could roll over if you do not drive
straight down.
Never go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N). This is called “free-wheeling.” Your
brakes will have to do all the work and could
overheat and fade.
Q:Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A:It is much more likely to happen going uphill. But if
it happens going downhill, here is what to do:
1. Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes.
Apply the parking brake.
2. If you have an automatic transmission, shift to
PARK (P). While still braking, restart the engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release the parking brake,
and drive straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get out and get help.
4-31