2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO instrument cluster

ON (C):This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON to
operate your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning and indicator lights.
START (D):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio or items plugged into the accessory power outlets.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) which will allow certain features of your
vehicle to continue working for up to 20 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to LOCK.
Your radio and power windows will work when the
ignition key is in ON or ACC. Once the key is turned
from ON to LOCK, these features will continue to work
for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor
and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down — that is a
safety feature.
2-19

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on the
steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is turned off,
but not in LOCK, there will be a small current drain on
your battery which could discharge your battery over
a period of time. If you need to leave your key in
the ignition but not in LOCK for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-32. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. 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 move the shift
lever into the gear you want. SeeShifting Out of
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-34.
2-22

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-6
Interior Lamps..............................................3-10
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-10
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-11
Climate Controls............................................3-12
Climate Control System.................................3-12
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-14
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-15
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-16
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-17
Trip Odometer..............................................3-17
Tachometer.................................................3-18
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-18
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-19
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-20
Battery Warning Light....................................3-21
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-22
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-22
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-23
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-24Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-24
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-27
Security Light...............................................3-28
Cruise Control Light......................................3-28
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-28
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-29
Fuel Gage...................................................3-29
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-30
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-30
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-32
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-36
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-37
Radio with CD..............................................3-39
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-47
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios).......3-58
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-58
Radio Reception...........................................3-59
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-59
Care of Your CD Player................................3-59
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-59
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-59
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

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

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located on the instrument panel
cluster. The DIC can display information such as the trip
odometer, and personalization features.
DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on when the
ignition is on. After a short delay the DIC will display
the information that was last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will appear
on the display. Pressing and releasing the trip odometer
reset stem on the DIC will acknowledge some current
warnings or service messages. Some message will only
clear once the required action has been taken.
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the trip odometer reset stem on the DIC.
These modes are explained following. The DIC trip
odometer reset stem is located on the instrument panel
cluster next to the DIC display. To scroll through the
available functions, press and release the reset stem.
Trip Information
Odometer
The odometer is automatically displayed on the DIC
when you start the vehicle. The odometer shows
the total distance the vehicle has been driven in either
miles or kilometers.
Trip Odometer
Press and release the reset stem until TRIP appears on
the DIC display. This shows the current distance
traveled since the last reset of the trip odometer in either
miles or kilometers.
Press and hold the reset stem for approximately four
seconds to reset the trip odometer.
GM Oil Life System™
Press the reset stem until OIL LIFE appears (ashing)
on the display. The GM Oil Life System™ shows
an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. It will show
OIL LIFE on the display when the system is reset
after an oil change. It will alert you to change your oil on
a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
3-30

ENG (Engine) HOT
This message will be displayed on your DIC when your
engine coolant temperature is hot. Check your engine
coolant temperature gage. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-24for more information.
You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible if you suspect your
engine is overheating. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-28for more information.
FLUID
This message will be displayed on the DIC if your brake
uid is low. Check the brake uid as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer. See
Brakes on page 5-39for more information. Press the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
FUEL CAP
This message will be displayed if your vehicle’s fuel cap
is either off or loose. You should pull over and check
to see if your vehicle’s fuel cap is secure as soon
as possible. You may also see the check engine light
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-24for more information. Press
the reset stem to acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
LOW FUEL
This message will be displayed on your DIC if the level
of fuel in your vehicle is low. You should also check
your fuel gage. SeeFuel Gage on page 3-29for more
information. You should ll your vehicle’s tank as
soon as possible.
LOW TRAC (Traction)
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), you will
see this message when the TCS is active. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for more
information. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
OIL
This message will be displayed when your oil pressure
is low. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-27, and
Engine Oil on page 5-13for more information.
OIL LIFE
This message will be displayed when your GM Oil Life
System needs to be checked. Press the reset stem
to acknowledge the message. For more information, see
“GM Oil Life System” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-30.
3-34