2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO four wheel drive

{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

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 1-66.
F. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog
Lamps on page 3-16. Exterior Cargo Lamps.
SeeExterior Cargo Lamps on page 3-17.
G. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-30.H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
I. Traction Control Button or Four-Wheel Drive Buttons.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9
andFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-26.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-45.
K. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19.
L. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
M. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
N. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-27.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-42.
3-5

REDUCED POWER
This message will be displayed when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this
message is on, but there is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination. The performance may
be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while
this message is on, but acceleration and speed may
be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your GM dealer for service as
soon as possible. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with your transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-26for
more information about your transfer case. Press the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the display.
TRACTION FAULT
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), you
may see this message if there is a problem with your
Traction Control System (TCS). Check your TCS
as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-9for more information. Press the reset stem
to acknowledge the message and clear it from the
display.
SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message will be displayed if your vehicle needs
service. You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL
This message will be displayed when your turn signal
is on for approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of travel.
Press the reset stem to acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
3-44

Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive. Also, seeBraking on page 4-6andAnti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) on page 4-7. If your vehicle
does not have four-wheel drive, you should not drive
off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some denite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you have left the great
North American road system behind. Traffic lanes
are not marked. Curves are not banked. There are
no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough,
uphill, or downhill. In short, you have gone right back
to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this guide.
You will nd many driving tips and suggestions.
These will help make your off-road driving safer
and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields, if the vehicle has them, are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inated?
Are the uid levels up where they should be? What are
the local laws that apply to off-roading where you
will be driving? If you do not know, you should check
with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be
on someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get
the necessary permission.
4-15

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 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.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-67.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. If you have
traction control, turn the traction control system off. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. 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. Or, you can use your recovery hooks if your
vehicle has them. If you do need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-50.
4-42

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle — such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy” (towing your vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly” (towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels
up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing” following.Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
4-50

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground:
1. Drive the vehicle to be towed into position behind
the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-30for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle
is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-26for more
information.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for
six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the
negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent your
battery from draining while towing.
After towing see “Shifting Out of NEUTRAL” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-26.
4-51

Dolly Towing
Front Towing
(Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground, the transmission could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Never tow your vehicle with the rear wheels
on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle, you must tow the vehicle with the rear wheels
on the dolly. See “Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)” later in this section for more information.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow your vehicle
from the front:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-30for more information.
4-52