maintenance HUMMER H3 2010 User Guide

Instruments and Controls 5-17
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might
have some other system problem.
See your dealer.
Security Light
This light flashes when the security
system is activated.
For more information, see Anti-Theft
Alarm System on page 2‑9.
High-Beam on Light
The high-beam on light comes on
when the high-beam headlamps are
in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
on page 6‑3for more
information.

Instruments and Controls 5-19
Engine Oil Life System
With the engine off, turn the key
to ON/RUN and then press the
reset stem until OIL LIFE RESET
appears—alternating between
OIL LIFE and RESET —on the DIC
display. The CHANGE OIL message
alerts you to change the oil on a
schedule consistent with your
driving conditions. Always reset
the OIL LIFE message after an
oil change. To reset the message,
see Engine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑11.
In addition to the engine oil life
system monitoring the oil life,
additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. See
Engine Oil
on page 10‑9and
Scheduled Maintenanceon
page 11‑2for more information.
Language
This feature allows you to choose
the language in which the DIC
display shows information.
To set your choice for this feature:
1. With the engine off, turn the key to ON/RUN, but do not start the
engine.
2. Close all doors so the DOORS message does not display in
the DIC.
3. Momentarily press and release the reset stem until the current
language is displayed: English
(default), Spanish, or French.
4. To select a different language, press and hold the reset stem
until the next language appears. 5. Repeat Step 4 until the desired
language is displayed. Once the
desired language is shown on
the DIC display, the language
is set.
6. To exit the language selection, momentarily press and release
the reset stem. All DIC
messages will now display in
the language selected.
Automatic Door Locks
This feature allows you to program
the door locks to a preferred setting.
To set your choice for this feature:
1. With the engine off, turn the keyto LOCK/OFF. Do not remove
the key from the ignition.
2. Press and hold the power door lock button until the DIC display
shows the current door
lock mode.

Instruments and Controls 5-23
Engine Cooling System
Messages
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
high and the air conditioning in
the vehicle needs to be turned off.
SeeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑22and Climate Control
Systemson page 8‑1for more
information. This message displays
along with the ENG HOT message.
ENG (Engine) HOT
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is
hot. Check the engine coolant
temperature gauge. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge
on
page 5‑9. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible if you suspect the
engine is overheating. See Engine
Overheating
on page 10‑22for more
information.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE OIL
This message displays when the
oil needs to be changed. Check
the oil in the vehicle as soon as
possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. See Engine
Oil
on page 10‑9and Scheduled
Maintenanceon page 11‑2for
more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the
display.
OIL
This message displays when the oil
pressure is low. See Engine Oil
Pressure Light
on page 5‑17and
Engine Oilon page 10‑9for more
information.
Engine Power Messages
REDUCED POWER
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message
is on, but acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
Press and release the reset stem
to acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.

Driving and Operating 9-7
Off-Road Driving
The airbag system is designed to
work properly under a wide range of
conditions, including off‐road usage.
Always wear your safety belt and
observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very
dangerous on any road and this is
certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your
reflexes, perceptions, and judgment
can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could have a
serious—or even fatal —accident
if you drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Off-roading can be great fun but has
some definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the terrain itself. When
off-road driving, traffic lanes are not
marked, curves are not banked, and
there are no road signs. Surfaces
can be slippery, rough, uphill,
or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers. Failure to operate the
vehicle correctly off‐road could
result in loss of vehicle control or
vehicle rollover.
Off-roading involves some new
skills. That is why it is very
important that you read these
driving tips and suggestions to
help make off-road driving safer
and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work done.
.Make sure there is enough fuel,
that fluid levels are where they
should be, and that the spare
tire is fully inflated.
.Be sure to read all the
information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles
in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody
shields, if the vehicle has them,
are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply
to off-roading where you will
be driving or check with law
enforcement people in the area.
.Be sure to get the necessary
permission if you will be on
private land.

Driving and Operating 9-21
Driving in Water
{WARNING
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and
you could lose traction and roll
the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding,
and flood waters demand extreme
caution. Find out how deep the water is
before driving through it. Do not
try it if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe
—you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage
the axle and other vehicle parts.
The vehicle is capable of depths up
to 50 cm (20 inches). Know how to
judge whether the water is deeper
than this before proceeding into it.
If the water is not too deep, drive
slowly through it. At faster speeds,
water splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can stall.
Stalling can also occur if you get the
tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is
under water, you will never be able
to start the engine. When going
through water, remember that when
the brakes get wet, it might take
longer to stop. See Driving on Wet
Roads on page 9‑22.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the engine and oil coolers
for mud accumulation. Thoroughly
and carefully clean these devices
to allow proper cooling. Check
the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent
service due to off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.

9-64 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine.The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. See
Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
on
page 12‑1.
If the vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine
(VIN Code P), you can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
on
page 9‑66. In all other engines, use
only regular unleaded gasoline.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.

9-74 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedalwhile you:
.start the engine,
.shift into a gear, and
.release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
on page 10‑22.
Trailer Towing
Three important considerations
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See “Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment.
The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much a vehicle can weigh,
based on the vehicle model and
options.

10-4 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{WARNING
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
.Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience,
the proper replacement
parts, and tools before
attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and
metric fasteners can be
easily confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts can
later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Informationon
page 13‑12.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Airbag System
Check on page 3‑41.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records
on
page 11‑11.

10-12 Vehicle Care
After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUNwith the engine off.
2. Press and release the stem in the lower center of the
instrument cluster until the OIL
LIFE message is displayed.
3. Once the alternating “Oil Life”
and “Reset” messages appear,
press and hold the stem until
several beeps sound. This
confirms that the oil life system
has been reset.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the “Change Oil” message
comes on again and stays on for
30 seconds at the next ignition
cycle, it did not reset. The system
needs to be reset again.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. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑2, and be
sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, you may choose to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If adding it yourself, be sure to
follow all the instructions here,
or there could be a false reading on
the dipstick.

10-14 Vehicle Care
Then, without shutting off the
engine:
1. Flip the handle up and then pullout the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
The automatic transmission
dipstick handle with this symbol
on it is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 10‑6for
more information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick,
and read the lower level. The
fluid level must be in the COLD
area, below the cross-hatched
area, for a cold check or in the
HOT or cross-hatched area for a
hot check. Be sure to keep the
dipstick pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then
flip the handle down to lock the
dipstick in place.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of transmission fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
Add fluid only after checking the
transmission fluid while it is hot.
A cold check is used only as a
reference. If the fluid level is low,
add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring the level up to the HOT area
for a hot check. It does not take
much fluid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.