2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE brake

Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle may be equipped with a transmission
temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission uid. The normal
operating range is from 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
At approximately 265°F (130°C), the message center
will display a TRANSMISSION HOT message and
the transmission will enter a transmission protection
mode. When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the transmission
shifting patterns. The transmission will return to normal
shifting patterns when the transmission uid temperature
falls below 260°F (127°C).SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55for
further information.
If the transmission uid reaches temperatures of
approximately 275°F (135°C) or greater, the Driver
Information Center will display a TRANS HOT IDLE
ENGINE warning message, and a chime will sound.
Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it is safe to do
so. Set the parking brake, place the transmission
in PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle until the
transmission temperature falls below 260°F (127°C).
If the transmission continues to operate above 265°F
(130°C), contact your nearest dealer or the GM
Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-6.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service. United States
Canada
3-43

RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
If the passenger’s side rear door is not fully closed, this
message will appear on the display and you will hear
a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of
the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer
reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
SERVICE 4WD (Four-Wheel-Drive or
All-Wheel-Drive)
If a problem occurs with the four-wheel-drive system or
the all-wheel-drive system, this message will appear
on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the DIC display. If
the message is still displayed or appears again when
you begin driving, the four-wheel-drive system or
all-wheel-drive system needs service. See your
GM dealer. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
SERVICE AIR BAG
If there is a problem with the airbag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have your
GM dealer inspect the system for problems. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-37andAirbag System on
page 1-74for more information. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service. See your GM dealer. Pressing
any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing
the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
3-61

STABILITY SYS (System) ACTIVE
You may see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message on
the DIC. It means that an advanced computer-controlled
system has come on to help your vehicle continue to
go in the direction in which you are steering. StabiliTrak
®
activates when the computer senses that your vehicle
is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of
ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the system
activates, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in
the brake pedal. This is normal. When the STABILITY
SYS ACTIVE message is on, you should continue
to steer in the direction you want to go. The system is
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult
driving situations by making the most of whatever road
conditions will permit.
STABILITY SYS (System) DISABLED
The STABILITY SYS DISABLED message will turn on
when you press the StabiliTrak®button, or when
the stability control has been automatically disabled.
To limit wheel spin and realize the full benets of
the stability enhancement system, you should normally
leave StabiliTrak
®on. However, you should turn
StabiliTrak®off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow and you want to rock your vehicle
to attempt to free it, or if you are driving in extreme
off-road conditions and require more wheel spin.SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-46. To turn the StabiliTrak
®system back
on, press the StabiliTrak®button again.
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could occur if
StabiliTrak®activates continuously for an extended
period of time.
The message will also be displayed if the brake
system warning light is on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-41.
The message could be displayed if the stability
system takes longer than usual to complete its
diagnostic checks due to driving conditions.
If an engine or vehicle related problem has been
detected and the vehicle needs service, the
message will appear. See your GM dealer.
The message will also appear if the vehicle is
shifted into 4LO.
The message will turn off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
3-63

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly, this
message may appear along with the check engine light
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-45. Reinstall the fuel cap
fully. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn
this light and message off.
TRACTION ACTIVE
When the traction control system has detected that any
of the vehicle’s wheels are slipping, the traction
control system will activate and this message will appear
on the DIC. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-9for
more information.
TRACTION SYS (System) LIMITED
If the brake traction control system activates constantly
or if the brakes have heated up due to high-speed
braking, brake traction control will be disabled and the
TRACTION SYS LIMITED message will be displayed.
The system will return to normal operation after the
brakes have cooled. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-9for more information.
TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
If the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot,
this message will appear on the DIC along with a
continuous chime. Driving with the transmission uid
temperature high can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow the transmission
to cool. This message will clear and the chime will
stop when the uid temperature reaches a safe level.
SeeTransmission Temperature Gage on page 3-43.
3-64

Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not
work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
Your vehicle may have a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system
can be played even after the ignition is turned off.
SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-20for
more information.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold MIN until the correct minute
appears on the display. There is an initial two-second
delay before the clock goes into time-set mode.
Display the time with the ignition off, by pressing RCL,
HR, or MIN.
3-73

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-8
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-9
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-32
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-34
City Driving..................................................4-36
Freeway Driving...........................................4-37Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-38
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-40
Winter Driving..............................................4-42
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-46
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-46
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-48
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-53
Towing..........................................................4-58
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-58
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-58
Level Control...............................................4-61
Autoride
®.....................................................4-62
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-62
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-79
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision
increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of
0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of
0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a
collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance
of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a
level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up. “I will be careful” is not the
right answer. What if there is an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to
react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There is something else about drinking and driving that
many people do not know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it is
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control of
your vehicle. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-9.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-5

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-41.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-6