2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO engine

Running the Engine While Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-33.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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).
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, it will
be free to roll — even if the shift lever is
in PARK (P) — if the transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-25.
2-34

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-16
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Exit Lighting.................................................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-25
Airbag Off Light............................................3-26
Battery Warning Light....................................3-27
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-28
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-30
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-33
Security Light...............................................3-34
Cruise Control Light......................................3-34
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-34
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-35
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Mode Buttons
@
(Recirculation):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, you will have the recirculation feature. This
mode recirculates air inside the cabin, and prevents
outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside odors from entering your vehicle and
cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press this
button to turn the recirculation mode on or off. An
indicator light on the button will come on to let you know
the recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is available only in the bi-level and vent
modes. If you push the recirculation button in any other
mode, the light will not come on.
#(Air Conditioning):Your vehicle may have air
conditioning. Press this button to turn the air-conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light on the button will
come on to let you know the air conditioning is activated.
When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidies the air entering your vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off.You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or
frost from your windshield and side windows. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture
and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
3-20

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly — and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-36for more information.
3-22

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip information stem.
See “Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-36for more information.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it cannot, then it is set at zero, and a label
must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your vehicle has a trip odometer that can tell you how
far your vehicle has been driven since you last set
the trip odometer to zero.
See “Trip Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-36for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
be provided for several seconds to remind people
to buckle their safety belts. The driver safety belt light
will also be provided and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more. You should buckle
your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will be provided.
3-24

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-29for more information.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-48.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on briey when
you start your engine
to show it is working.
Then it will turn off.
This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes,
but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-29

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is near the top of the gage, the
engine is too hot. It means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28for more
information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may
not be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
may not be covered by your warranty.
3-30

Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
3-31