2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO transmission oil

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

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

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal asher.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or
the manual transmission out of gear and the parking
brake applied) for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 5-28.
4-67

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you nd
them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-69

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

A. Windshield Washer Fluid. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-37.
B. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-25.
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-36.
D. Transmission Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19andManual
Transmission Fluid on page 5-22.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-39.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
H. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch (Manual Transmission)
on page 5-24.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
K. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
L. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-43.M. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-43.
N. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
5-13

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-19

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Add uid only after checking the transmission uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overll.
Notice:We recommend you use only uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, because uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by uid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check” listed previously.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the uid in your manual transmission
doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too little uid could cause
the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transmission case.
5-22