2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO instrument cluster

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn to
four different positions.
LOCK (A):This position locks your ignition. It also
locks your transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. It will lock your steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles when the key is removed. It is a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to
remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever
is in PARK (P).Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in.
If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while
you turn the key hard. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B):This is the position in which
you can operate your electrical accessories or items
plugged into the accessory power outlets. On automatic
transmission vehicles, this position unlocks the
ignition. On manual transmission vehicles, it unlocks the
ignition and steering wheel. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
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. The transmission is also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission vehicles.
2-17

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 2-30. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-54.
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 ON.
2-21

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

The main components of your vehicle’s instrument
panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Passenger Side Airbag. SeeAirbag System on
page 1-62.
F. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog
Lamps on page 3-16. Exterior Cargo Lamps.
SeeExterior Cargo Lamps on page 3-16.
G. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-29.H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
I. Traction Control Button or Four-Wheel Drive Buttons.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8
andFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-25.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
K. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtrays
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-18.
L. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
M. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-17.
N. Airbag Off Switch (Regular cab and rear seat delete
only). SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-71.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-41.
3-5

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will automatically
return to the off position.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until the change is
completed. The lever will return by itself when released.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers will not see your
vehicle’s turn signal.If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when signaling
a turn, check for a burned-out bulb or a blown fuse.
For bulb replacement, seeTaillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps on page 5-49. For a
blown fuse or circuit breaker, seeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-99
Turn Signal On Chime
If a turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the turn
signal and the message TURN SIGNAL will also appear
in the DIC. To turn the chime and message off, move
the turn signal lever to the off position.
See “TURN SIGNAL” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-39DIC Warnings and Messages
for more information.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):
To change the headlamps from low to high beam,
push the lever toward the instrument panel. To return
to low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever
toward you. Then release it.
3-8

When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on.
They’ll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let go. The
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more
wipes, hold the band on mist longer.
N(Delay):You can set the wiper speed for a long or
short delay between wipes. This can be very useful
in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay
time. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter
the delay.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from you to the rst solid position
past the delay settings.
1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn the
band to the second solid position past the delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
3-9

When the DRL are on, only those 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.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, roof marker
lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will become more dim when the headlights are
off compared to when the headlights are on.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel. Be sure it is not covered, or
the system will be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp system so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights
does not affect the system. The DRL and automatic
headlamp system will only be affected when the
light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. 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. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-17.
3-15

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
3-23