2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO Owners Manual

Cruise Control
Your vehicle may be equipped with cruise control.
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Move the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a
previously set speed.
rT(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set,
or if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (if equipped) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn cruise control back on.
3-11

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.The cruise symbol on
the instrument panel will
illuminate when the
cruise control is engaged.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. But you don’t need
to reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch briey from
on to resume/accelerate.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or
apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
don’t hold the switch at resume/accelerate.
3-12

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the set button at the end of the
lever, then release the button and the accelerator
pedal. You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
If the accelerator pedal is held longer than
60 seconds, cruise control will turn off.
Move the cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the
speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briey to resume/accelerate.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control

Press and hold the set button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
the set button.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and don’t
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise control switch to off.
Lightly tap or press the clutch, if you have a
manual transmission.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Exterior Lamps
The control on the driver’s side of your instrument panel
operates the exterior lamps.
O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the knob, located to the
right of this symbol, to choose one of the four exterior
lamp positions.
9(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn off all
exterior lamps including the DRLs.AUTO:Turn the knob to this position to automatically
turn on the headlamps at normal brightness, together
with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 3-15for
more information.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the knob to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the knob to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the previously listed
lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from low to high beam
by pushing the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
the instrument panel.
3-14

Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when
your headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned
on and your key is out of the ignition. To turn off
the chime, turn the headlamp switch to off and then
back on. In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off
once the ignition is in LOCK.
If your vehicle was rst sold in Canada and the parking
lamps are turned on manually, the DRL will stay on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL
can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but
they can be especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P) if you have
an automatic transmission.
The light sensor determines it is daytime.Your vehicle will have either the parking lamps or
reduced intensity low beams used as the DRL.
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 headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular 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.
3-15

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.Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, you can use them for
better vision in foggy or misty conditions. Your parking
lamps and/or low-beam headlamps must be on for
your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp button is
located near the exterior
lamps control.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on while the
headlamps or parking lamps are on. Press the button
again to turn them off. An indicator light will glow in the
button when the fog lamps are on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps. Never use your fog lamps
in the dark without turning on the headlamps.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off, the
fog lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
3-16

Exterior Cargo Lamps
You can use the cargo lamps if you need more light
in the cargo area of your vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Press this button, located
on the driver side of the
instrument panel near
the exterior lamp control to
turn the cargo lamps on
and off. You must
have your dome lamps on
for your cargo lamps to
come on. SeeDome Lamp
on page 3-17.
Interior Lamps
The thumbwheel for the interior lamps is located next to
the exterior lamps control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14for additional information on location.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Turn the thumbwheel
up or down to brighten or dim the instrument panel
lights and the radio display. This will only work if
the headlamps or parking lamps are on. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when a door is opened.
They will shut off several seconds after all doors
are closed.
You can also turn the dome lamp on manually by
turning the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way up.
In this position, the dome lamp will remain on whether a
door is opened or closed. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-17for additional information on location.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Override):Press this button, located
below the exterior lamp control, to turn the dome lamp
off even when a door is opened. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14for more information on location.
To return the lamp to automatic operation, press the
button again.
3-17

Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lamps will not
come on if the dome override button is pressed in.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome lamp if it is left on for
more than 20 minutes when the ignition is in LOCK.
This will help prevent your battery from running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle may have accessory power outlets.
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located on the lower part of the instrument panel
below the climate control system and there may be
one located on the rear of the center console. A small
cap must be pulled down to access an accessory power
outlet. When not using an outlet be sure to cover it
with the protective cap.Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes. Check with your retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.
3-18