2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO ignition

To prevent gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is already
running. Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or
LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator.If the vehicle starts briey but then stops
again, do the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with
your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty.
122

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on
the steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument cluster. This display must
be powered anytime the shift lever is capable
of being moved out of PARK (P). This means that
if your key is turned off, but not in LOCK, there
will be a small current drain on your battery which
could discharge your battery over a period of
time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition
but not in LOCK for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery
cable from the battery to prevent discharging
your battery.
There are several different positions for your
shift lever.PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
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 you are on
fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 135.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing
a Trailer on page 306.
124

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
You must fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
key is in ON. 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 another gear. SeeShifting Out
of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 137.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out
of snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transmission, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 290.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running
at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at
high speed may damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
125

Use these buttons to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive. You can choose from the following:
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving
in most street and highway situations. Your
front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or if you
have a manual transmission, even if you
are in gear. You or someone else could
be seriously injured. Be sure to set the
parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake
on page 133.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case
to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.4
m(Four-Wheel High):This setting engages
your front axle to help drive your vehicle. Use
four-wheel high when you need extra traction,
such as on snowy or icy roads, or in most off-road
situations.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also
engages your front axle to give you extra traction.
It sends the maximum power to all four wheels.
You might choose four-wheel low if you were
driving off-road in sand, mud, or deep snow and
while climbing or descending steep hills.
Indicator lights in the buttons show you which
setting you are in. The indicator lights will come
on briey when you turn on the ignition and
one will stay on the selected setting. If the lights
do not come on, you should take your vehicle in for
service. An indicator light will ash while shifting.
It will stay on when the shift is completed.
If for some reason the transfer case does not shift,
it will return to the last chosen setting.
Shifting from Two-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel High
Press and release the Four-Wheel High button.
This can be done at any speed, and the front
axle will lock automatically.
130

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.
Shifting to NEUTRAL
Use NEUTRAL when you plan to tow your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 300
for 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. Turn the engine off by turning the key to ACC.
8. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P),
or FIRST (1) for vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
132

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