2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO automatic transmission

Shifting to NEUTRAL
Use NEUTRAL when you plan to tow your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-44for towing
instructions. To shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL do
the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
4. Shift the transmission in Neutral (N), or press in the
clutch for vehicles with a manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case to 2HI.
6. Press and hold the 2HI and 4LO buttons at the
same time for 10 seconds. The Neutral (N) light
will come on when the transfer case shift to
Neutral (N) is complete.
7. Shift the transmission to Reverse (R) for one
second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D)
for one second, or FIRST (1) for vehicles with
manual transmissions.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in Park (P), or
FIRST (1) for vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission.
10. Release the parking brake prior to towing.
Shifting out of NEUTRAL
After towing your vehicle, you will have to shift out of
NEUTRAL in order to drive. To shift out of NEUTRAL, do
the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal. SeeParking Brake on page 2-31for
more information.
2. Start a vehicle with an automatic transmission in
PARK (P). Use FIRST (1) for vehicles with a
manual transmission.
3. Put an automatic transmission in NEUTRAL (N)
or press the clutch pedal for vehicles with a
manual transmission.
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case
position (2HI, 4HI or 4LO).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,
the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission to the desired gear.
It is normal for your vehicle to exhibit a signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting in and out
of Neutral (N) and 4LO.
2-30

Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
2-32

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-32.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition, you
have to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-22.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into
the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC (Accessory). (There is no shift
interlock in this key position.)
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-34

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your 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 your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-27.Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-32.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-57.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Press
the tab forward (away from you) for day driving. Pull
the tab back (toward you) for night driving.
The mirror may have lamps. To manually turn the lamps
on or off, press the button next to each lamp.
2-37

Instrument Panel Overview
Manual transmission shown, automatic transmission similar
3-2

During that delay, your instrument panel cluster may not
be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” underInterior Lamps
on page 3-10.
Lamps On Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when
your headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned
on and your key is out of the ignition. To turn off
the chime, turn the headlamp switch to off and then
back on. In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off
once the ignition is in LOCK.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarkers and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-8

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how
fast you are going, about how much fuel you have used, and many other things you will need to know to drive
safely and economically.
United States automatic transmission version shown, Canada similar
3-16

Always reset the engine oil life after an oil change. To
reset the system, the ignition must be off, with the key in
the ON position. Then, press and hold the reset stem
while OIL LIFE is displayed. The system will reset
and several beeps will sound.
The DIC does not replace the need to maintain your
vehicle as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule
in this manual. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for
more information.
Automatic Door Locks
With the vehicle’s engine off, and the ignition in the
LOCK position, press and hold the power door lock
button for approximately three seconds until the DIC
displays the current door lock mode. Then press and hold
the reset stem for approximately two seconds to switch
modes. The following are the mode choices:
Lock 1 (default):Lock all doors when the vehicle is
shifted out of PARK (P) with an automatic transmission,
or when vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h)
with a manual transmission. Doors will unlock when the
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) with an automatic
transmission, or when the ignition key is removed on a
manual transmission.Lock 2:Turns off the automatic door locks.
Lock 3:Lock all doors when the vehicle is shifted out
of PARK (P) with an automatic transmission, or
when vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h)
with a manual transmission. Driver’s door will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) with an
automatic transmission, or when the ignition key is
removed on a manual transmission.
Lock 4:Lock all doors when the vehicle is shifted out of
PARK (P) with an automatic transmission, or when the
vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) with a
manual transmission. No doors will unlock.
3-31