2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO towing

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.
Parking Brake
The parking brake
pedal is located to
the left of the regular
brake pedal, near
the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Push the
parking brake pedal down to its fully-applied
position with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the brake warning
light, located on the instrument panel, will ash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least
three seconds. The chime will deactivate and the
light will turn off when the parking brake is set
and the vehicle is moving below 3 mph (5 km/h).
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 189.
133

To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of
the lever, located above the parking brake pedal,
with the parking brake symbol, directly rearward
to release the parking brake.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is
released, the brake system warning light will
go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on
any hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 306.
134

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 306.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right
foot and set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 133for more
information.
{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).
135

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 124.
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 306.
137

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to
roll, even if the automatic transmission
shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
NEUTRAL. Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 135.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 306.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the 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.
141

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 133for more
information. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
If the light comes 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 oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 299.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on briey when
you start your engine
to show it is working.
Then it will turn off.
This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you do not have anti-lock brakes and there is
a problem with your regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 189.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
190

This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to
do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 328.
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
the light off.
193

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 246
Defensive Driving...................................... 246
Drunken Driving........................................ 247
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 250
Braking...................................................... 250
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 251
Braking in Emergencies............................. 253
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 253
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 254
Steering.................................................... 255
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 257
Passing..................................................... 257
Loss of Control.......................................... 259
Off-Road Driving........................................ 260
Driving at Night......................................... 276
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 278
City Driving............................................... 281Freeway Driving........................................ 282
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 283
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 284
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 284
Winter Driving........................................... 286
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 290
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 291
Recovery Hooks........................................ 292
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 293
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 299
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab............ 299
Towing........................................................ 299
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 299
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 300
Towing a Trailer........................................ 306
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 320
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
245