2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO warning light

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-33.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
4-33

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-57.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of reective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet
the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You
will have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful.
4-38

{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. This
spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap
slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll your
tank and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before you remove the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. SeeCleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-98. When lling
the tank do not overll by squeezing in much more
fuel after the pump shuts off.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. If the fuel cap is not properly installed,
FUEL CAP will appear on the DIC and the check engine
light will be lit on instrument panel cluster. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-32andMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-24for more information.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not t properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and
may damage your fuel tank and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-24.
5-9

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it’s in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-28.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-25

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brake pads replaced, have the
rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your brakes adjust
for wear.
5-41

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system developed
by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, which grades tires by treadwear, traction
and temperature performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-69

A
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)..........................3-33
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF...............................3-33
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-10
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information.........................7-10
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-103
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-56
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-38, 3-41, 3-50
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-27
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-20
Readiness Light..........................................3-19
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-62
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-75
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-71
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-68
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-74
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-68
What Will You See After an Air
Bag Inates?...........................................1-69
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-67
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-65
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM).......7-10AM ...............................................................3-59
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-37
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-59
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-23
Appearance Care............................................5-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-101
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-95
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-98
Finish Damage..........................................5-100
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-101
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-19
Ashtrays........................................................3-11
Assist Handles...............................................2-45
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-37
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-59
Care of Your CDs........................................3-59
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-59
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-59
Radio with CD............................................3-39
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-47
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-36
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-58
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-59
Automatic Door Locks.....................................3-31
Automatic Headlamp System.............................. 3-7
Automatic Transmission...................................2-19
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backing Up....................................................4-67
BATTERY......................................................3-33
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-10
Battery Warning Light......................................3-21
Bed Rails......................................................2-45
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-34
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-15
Brake
Parking......................................................2-31
System Warning Light..................................3-22
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41Brake Wear...................................................5-41
BRAKES.......................................................3-33
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-67
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Capacities and Specications..........................5-107
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-36, 4-38, 4-57
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
Your CD Player...........................................3-59
Your CDs ...................................................3-59
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