2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO parking brake

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-33

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

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle has a manual transmission. Before you
get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake. Once
the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
2-35

{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

The main components of your vehicle’s instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-14.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-16.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
E. Passenger Side Air Bag. SeeAir Bag Systems
on page 1-62.
F. Park Brake Release. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-31.
G. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-5.
H. Traction Control Button or Four-Wheel Drive Buttons.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8
andFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-27.I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-36.
J. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtrays
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-11.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-12.
L. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-10.
M. Air Bag Off Switch (Regular cab and rear seat delete
only). See “Air Bag Off Switch” underAir Bag
Systems on page 1-62.
N. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-44.
3-3

Up-Shift Light (Manual
Transmission)
This light appears when
you need to shift to the
next higher gear on
a manual transmission
vehicle.
Shifting when the indicator light is on will help you get
the best fuel economy. See “Up-Shift Light” under
Manual Transmission Operation on page 2-25for
more information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-31for more information.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-44.
United StatesCanada
3-22

PARK BRK (Brake)
This message will be displayed when your vehicle’s
parking brake is active. SeeParking Brake on page 2-31
andBrake System Warning Light on page 3-22for
more information. The message will clear from
the display after the parking brake is released.
REDUCED POWER
This message will be displayed on your DIC when your
vehicle’s engine power is reduced. Press the reset
stem to acknowledge the message and clear it from
the display.
SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message will be displayed on your DIC when there
is a problem with your transfer case control system.
Check the transfer case on your vehicle and have
it serviced by your GM dealer. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on
page 2-27for more information about your transfer
case. Press the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
TRACTION FAULT
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), you may
see this message if there is a problem with your Traction
Control System (TCS). Check your TCS as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-8for more information. Press the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
SERV VEH (Service Vehicle)
This message will be displayed on your DIC if your
vehicle needs service. You should have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL
This message will be displayed on your DIC when your
turn signal is on for approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
of travel. Press the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
3-35

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 and the
parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to
PARK (P) (or shift to neutral if your vehicle has
a manual transmission) and 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) (or pressing the clutch, if you have a
manual transmission) 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 can
not make it up the hill, you must back straight
down the hill.
4-21