2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO towing

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.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual
transmission. When parking uphill, turn your wheels
away from the curb. When parking downhill, turn
your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
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4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or
REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission. See
Parking Brake on page 2-29for more information.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-25for
more information.
6. Release the regular brakes.
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.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-pin trailer
towing harness. This harness has a four-pin trailer
connector that is attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform. The four-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps/Park lamps
White: Ground
4-67

Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-30.
Your air conditioning may stop working if your engine
is too hot. This is normal and helps cool the engine.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine is cool.Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-54.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn off the air conditioning.
3. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
5-28

Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures,
the fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This
is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located near
the front of the engine
compartment, behind the
radiator. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
5-34

After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inated. The compact spare is
made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
nish your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or
replaced where you want. For heavy payloads or towing,
and for low traction or four-wheel-drive conditions,
repair or replace the full-size tire, and reinstall for best
performance. Of course, it’s best to replace your spare
with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare will
last longer and be in good shape in case you need
it again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed,
do not take your vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The compact spare can
get caught on the rails. That can damage the tire
and wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t t. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full-size spare
tire, which, when new, was fully inated. A spare
tire, whether compact-size or full-size, may lose air
over time, so check its ination pressure regularly.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58and
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-42for information
regarding proper tire ination and loading your vehicle.
For instruction on how to remove, install or store a
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-68.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is
correctly inated. Have the damaged or at road
tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can and
installed back onto your vehicle. This way, a spare tire
will be available in case you need it again.
Don’t mix tires and wheels of different sizes, because
they won’t t. Keep your spare tire and its wheel
together.
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(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 airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag 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. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
6-8

R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-27
Radios..........................................................3-42
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-43
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-72
Care of Your CDs........................................3-71
Radio with CD............................................3-46
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-60
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-43
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-42
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-71
Understanding Reception..............................3-71
Rear Axle......................................................5-44
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-9
Rear Doors....................................................2-10
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-29
Rear Seat Operation.................................1-8, 1-10
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-26
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-42
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-36
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-35
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-35Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-41
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-48
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-69
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-50
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-75
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-75
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-24
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-40
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-34
10

Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-54
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-54
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-22
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-28
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-21
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-23
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-48
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-63
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-28
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-42
Parking Your...............................................2-32
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-97
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-97
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-21
Visors...........................................................2-14
13