2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO Owners Manual

You can run the engine to keep warm,
but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might
not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side
of the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
289

Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it
as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long
as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous
exercises every half hour or so until help comes.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 the 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 vehicle’s 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.
290

Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 398.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. For four-wheel
drive vehicles, shift into 4HI. For vehicles with
traction control, turn the system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 253. 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.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels
stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in
gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that could free your vehicle. If that does not
get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might need
to be towed out. Or, you can use the recovery
hooks, if your vehicle has them. If your vehicle does
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 299.
291

Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways
angle. The hooks could break off and you
or others could be injured from the chain
or cable snapping back.
Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow
the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged
and it would not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of
the vehicle, you can use them if you are stuck
off-road and need to be pulled to some place
where you can continue driving.
292

Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you
do, parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will
nd the label attached below the door latch post.
Vehicle’s without a center pillar, like extended
cab models, will have the Tire and Loading
Information label attached to the driver’s side
extended cab door, above the door latch post.
The Tire and Loading Information label shows
the number of occupant seating positions (A),
and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B)
in kilograms and pounds.
Label Example
293

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 377andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 384.
There is also important information on the
Certication/Tire label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label” later
in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 306for
important information on towing a trailer,
towing safety, and trailering tips.
294

Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg) x 2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =700 lbs (317 kg)Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg) x 5 =750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =250 lbs (113 kg) Example 1
Example 2
295

Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg) x 5 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information
label for specic information about your vehicle’s
capacity weight and seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver, passengers, cargo,
and any accessories or equipment added to
your vehicle after it left the factory should never
exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is attached
to the bottom section of the center pillar, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle. Vehicles without a
center pillar, like extended cab models, will have
the Certication/Tire label attached to the edge of
the driver’s side, extended cab door, below the door
latch post. The label shows the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, cargo,
and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.
Example 3
Label Example
296