2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO hood release

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), or with the clutch pedal pressed
down with a manual transmission. 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. Shift to PARK (P) (or to neutral with the manual
transmission) and, 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.
Driving Across an Incline
Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across
the incline of a hill. If this happens, you have to
decide whether to try to drive across the incline. Here
are some things to consider:
A hill that can be driven straight up or down may be
too steep to drive across. When you go straight up
or down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the
distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels)
reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble
end over end. But when you drive across an incline,
the much more narrow track width (the distance
between the left and right wheels) may not prevent
the vehicle from tilting and rolling over. Also,
driving across an incline puts more weight on the
downhill wheels. This could cause a downhill
slide or a rollover.
4-23

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch (Manual Transmission)...........5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-28Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-48
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-53
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located inside the vehicle on the
lower left side of the instrument panel.
2. Release the secondary latch on the hood. The
secondary latch is located below the front center
of the hood.
3. Lift the hood.4. Release the hood prop
from its retainer and
put the hood prop into
the slot in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop to its retainer.
Then, lower the hood down to close. It will latch when
dropped from about 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
5-11

What to Use
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12
to determine what kind of lubricant to use.
Bulb Replacement
SeeReplacement Bulbs on page 5-54for the proper
types of bulbs to use. For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact your dealer’s
service department.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
Composite Headlamp System
A. Low-Beam Headlamp
B. High-Beam Headlamp
To replace the bulbs, do the following:
1. Open and support the hood. SeeHood Release
on page 5-11.
2. Access the bulb/sockets from the
engine compartment.
5-50

(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, body door and fuel
door hinges, latches and locks (including glove box and
console doors), hood latch assembly, secondary
latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl and any
moving seat hardware. Lubricate hood safety lever pivot
and prop rod pivot and tailgate latch bolt, handle
assembly pivot points and hinges. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-25for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
6-8

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455)
meeting GM Specication 9986115.
Transfer CaseSynchromesh Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345349, in
Canada 10953465).
Rear Driveline
Center Spline
and Universal
JointsChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Constant
Velocity
Universal JointChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood and Door
Hinges, Body
Door Hinge
Pins, Liftgate
Hinge and
Linkage,
Folding Seats
and Fuel Door
HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Outer Tailgate
Handle Pivot
Points and
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Teon,
Superlube (GM Part No. U.S.
12371287, in Canada 10953437).
6-13

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamps....................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-28
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-36
Hitches..........................................................4-65
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery
Tank ..........................................................5-32
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-34
How to Add Fluid....................................5-22, 5-23
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-25
How to Check Lubricant..........................5-48, 5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... iiHow to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-24
Hydroplaning..................................................4-31
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-25
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-26
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-40
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-42
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-58
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-64
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-16
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-10
Interior Lamps................................................3-10
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
7