2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO automatic transmission

Shifting from Two-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel High to Four-Wheel Low
To shift from Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel Low, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) for an automatic transmission or the
clutch pedal engaged for a manual transmission.
The preferred method for shifting into Four-Wheel
Low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel Low button.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel Low indicator
light to stop ashing and stay on before shifting the
transmission into gear or releasing the clutch pedal.
If the Four-Wheel Low button is pressed when
your vehicle is in gear and/or moving faster than
3 mph (5 km/h), the four-wheel low indicator light
will ash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift.
Shifting from Four-Wheel Low to
Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Two-Wheel High
or Four-Wheel High, your vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission
in NEUTRAL (N) for an automatic transmission or
the clutch pedal engaged for a manual transmission.
The preferred method for shifting out of four-wheel
low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel
High button. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High
or Two-Wheel High indicator light to stop ashing and
stay on before shifting the transmission into gear or
releasing the clutch pedal.
If the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel High button is
pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving
faster than 3 mph (5km/h), the Four-Wheel High or
Two Wheel High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds
but not complete the shift.
2-28

Shifting to NEUTRAL
Use NEUTRAL when you plan to tow your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-50for towing
instructions. To shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Press the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N), or press in the
clutch for vehicles with a manual transmission.
4. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
5. Press and hold the Two-Wheel High and
Four-Wheel Low buttons at the same time for
10 seconds. The NEUTRAL (N) light will come on
when the transfer case shift to NEUTRAL (N)
is complete.
6. Press and hold the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission to REVERSE (R) for one second, then
shift the transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second,
or FIRST (1) for vehicles with manual transmissions,
and let out the clutch to insure the transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. If the vehicle is not in NEUTRAL, repeat
this procedure starting at Step 3.
7. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P),
or FIRST (1) for vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
After towing your vehicle, you will have to shift out of
NEUTRAL in order to drive. To shift out of NEUTRAL,
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Start a vehicle with an automatic transmission
in PARK (P). Use FIRST (1) for vehicles with a
manual transmission.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N), or press
the clutch pedal for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case
shift position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel High,
or Four-Wheel Low).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,
the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission to the desired position.
2-29

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-56.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll — even if your shift lever
is in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L) — not in
NEUTRAL.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the lever toward you and moving it up as far
as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
2-31

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without
rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that
the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-31.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-32

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition,
you have to fully apply the regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC. There is no shift interlock
in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle has a manual transmission. Before you
get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, turn the ignition key
to LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-56.
2-33

Running the Engine While Parked
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 2-34.
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 4-38.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever
to PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
2-35

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if your automatic transmission shift lever
is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. Always
set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-31.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-56.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the
outside rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it
up or down and side to side. The control at the bottom
of the mirror is the day/night feature that allows
adjustment to the mirror so that the glare of headlamps
from behind is reduced. Push the control for daytime
use; pull it for night use.
The mirror may have lamps. Press the button next to
each lamp to turn it on or off.
2-36

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp .................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Exit Lighting.................................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate 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.............................3-25
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-25
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-27
Battery Warning Light....................................3-29
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-35
Security Light...............................................3-36
Cruise Control Light......................................3-36
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-36
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator
Light........................................................3-37
Fuel Gage...................................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1