2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO oil

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (–18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located in the engine compartment behind
the underhood fuse block on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110–volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
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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

This can happen if you have recently replaced your
battery or if your battery has run down. The diagnostic
system is designed to evaluate critical emission
control systems during normal driving. This may take
several days of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack
of OBD system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your engine oil pressure.
The light goes on when you turn your key to ON or
START. It goes off once you start your engine. That’s a
check to be sure the light works. If it doesn’t come
on, be sure to have it xed so it will be there to warn
you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil
isn’t owing through your engine properly. You could
be low on oil and you might have some other system
problem. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13and “OIL” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-32for
more information.
3-27

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

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

AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message will be displayed when the engine coolant
temperature is too high and the air conditioning in
your vehicle needs to be turned off. See andEngine
Overheating on page 5-28andClimate Control System
on page 3-12for more information. It will be displayed
along with the ENG HOT message.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This message will be displayed on the DIC if there is a
problem with your antilock brake system. Check
your antilock brake system as soon as possible and
have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
SeeBrakes on page 5-39andAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 3-23for more information.
Pressing the reset stem to acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display.
BATTERY
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with your vehicle’s battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42
andBattery Warning Light on page 3-21for
more information.
BRAKES
This message will be displayed on the DIC if there is a
problem with your brakes. Check your brakes as
soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeBrakes on page 5-39andBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-22for more
information. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
CHANGE OIL
This message will be displayed on your DIC when the
oil needs to be changed. Check the oil in your vehicle as
soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information. Press the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
DOORS
This message will be displayed on your DIC when one
of your doors is ajar. You should check all the doors
on your vehicle to make sure they are closed. The
message will clear from the display after all of the doors
are closed.
3-33

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

Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise.
FM
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to come and go.
Care of Your CDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct
sunlight and dust. If the surface of a CD is soiled,
dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent
solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling CDs. Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your CD Player
The use of CD lens cleaners for CD players is not
advised, due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the
CD optics with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
Chime Level Adjustment
The radio is the vehicle chime producer. To change the
volume level, press and hold pushbutton 6 with the
ignition on and the radio power off. The chime volume
level will change from the normal level to loud, and LOUD
will appear on the radio display. To change back to the
default or normal setting, press and hold pushbutton 6
again. The chime level will change from the loud level to
normal, and NORMAL will appear on the radio display.
Each time the chime volume is changed, three chimes
will sound as an example of the new volume selected.
Removing the radio and not replacing it with a factory
radio or chime module will disable vehicle chimes.
3-59