2005 CHEVROLET KODIAK towing

Hydraulic Brake System
Warning Lights
Vehicles with hydraulic brake systems have two brake
system warning lights on the instrument panel.
If the BRAKE system
warning light comes on, it
means that the fluid
level in the master cylinder
reservoir is low or there
is another problem
with your hydraulic brakes.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
The BRAKE system warning light may come on, and the
warning tone may sound, when you’re turning and
braking at the same time. This is normal. See “Hydraulic
Brake Systems” underBraking on page 4-5.If the service brakes soon
warning light comes on, it
means there may be
something wrong in the
brake system.
When this light comes on, you will also hear a warning
tone. Have the system repaired immediately.
Both of these lights should come on briefly every time
you start your engine. If they don’t come on then,
have them fixed so they will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem. If one or both of these warning lights
stay on after you start the engine, there could be a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
If one or both of these lights come 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 floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the BRAKE light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-35. See
“Hydraulic Brake Systems” underBraking on page 4-5
for further information.
3-32

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Hydraulic Brake Systems.................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve......................4-8
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control....................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-30
Tow Hooks..................................................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-34
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Trailer Connections.......................................4-37
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you
must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around the front wheels. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-33. If your vehicle has traction
control, you should turn the traction control system off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, or with a manual transmission, between
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning
the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. By
slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that does not get you out
after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you
do need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-35.
4-30

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Releasing Air-Operated Parking Brakes
If your vehicle has air brakes, you could have a
special towing problem. If your vehicle has to be towed
because of a complete loss of air pressure from
both systems, the parking brakes will have automatically
engaged. The tow operator can release the brakes
manually by using the following steps. Then your vehicle
can be towed with all wheels or only the rear wheels
on the ground.
1. Block the wheels of the vehicle.2. Remove the release stud and nut from the side of
the brake chamber. Some chambers have studs
which are visible at all times.
4-35

Trailer Connections
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle may be equipped with an eight-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness, with a seven-pin
universal heavy-duty trailer connector, is attached to a
bracket on the platform hitch.
The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) wire
is tied next to the trailer wiring harness for use with
a trailer.The eight-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
•Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
•Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
•Brown: Taillamps
•White: Ground
•Light Green: Back-up Lamps
•Light Blue: CHMSL
•Red: Battery Feed
•Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
4-37

Trailer Connections
(C7/C8 Models Only)
If your vehicle has these trailer connections, they are
located at the rear of the cab for a tractor and at the rear
of the chassis when towing a trailer. There will be an
air connection and an electrical connection.
Be sure that the couplings to the trailer are
made correctly.
Air Connections
If you are not connecting the trailer air line connections
to another piece of equipment, be sure to replace
their protective caps.
Electrical Connections
This system is a seven-wire cable that will connect to
the trailer, supplying power to the trailer’s lighting
system. When not in use, it is stored in the trailer
air-hose storage bracket.
Power Take-Off (PTO)
If your vehicle is equipped
for the addition of a PTO,
this factory installed
switch will be located in
the instrument panel.
Before using a PTO, refer to the manufacturer’s or
installer’s instructions.
4-38

Engine Fan Noise
Your 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 fully 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
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5to determine
when to check your power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine is not warm, you probably will not
get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you need
fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring it
in between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can cause
the brake or service brakes soon warning lights to come
on. In addition, the steering effort and emergency
brake distance could increase.
If either light remains on after you have added power
steering fluid to the proper level, then shut off the engine
for 10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, see “Hydraulic Brake
System Warning Lights” underBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-31for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seePart C:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-32.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always use the
proper uid. Failure to use the proper uid can
cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-45

GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program
This program, available to qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000 of the cost of eligible
aftermarket adaptive equipment required for your vehicle,
such as hand controls or a wheelchair/scooter lift.
The offer is available for a very limited period of time
from the date of vehicle purchase/lease. For more
details, or to determine your vehicle’s eligibility, visit
gmmobility.com or call the GM Mobility Assistance
Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text telephone (TTY) users,
call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
GM Medium Duty Truck’s Roadside Assistance
provides stranded owners with towing service for
disabled vehicles.
This service combines the efforts of trained telephone
representatives with a network of GM Medium Duty
Truck’s dealer services.
Just dial GM Medium Duty Truck Roadside Assistance
at 1-800-862-4389 to reach a qualified representative
who can assist you in a repair or arrange a tow. Other
recommended services can also be arranged for
situations such as retrieving locked in keys, changing a
tire, or delivering gasoline, at a charge to the customer.
We also provide dealer information at no charge,
such as location of the nearest authorized medium duty
GM Truck dealer and their hours of operation.
Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, 365 days a year. Should you have any
questions about Roadside Assistance, call the GM
Medium Duty Truck Roadside Assistance Center
or contact your dealer.
7-5