2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO warning

Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your 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 displays when there is a problem
with the transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced
by your dealer. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 129
for more information about the transfer case. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
SERV (Service) TPM
(Tire Pressure Monitor)
This message displays if any of the tire monitor
sensors have malfunctioned, if the tire monitor
sensors have not been programmed, or if
the recommended tire pressures are not
programmed. The tire pressure light also ashes
for one minute and then turns on solid until
the condition goes away or the system is serviced.SeeTire Pressure Light on page 191. Press and
release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display. This
message appears at each ignition cycle until the
system is serviced. See your dealer for service.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 385for
more information.
SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message displays if your vehicle needs
service. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE CHARG (Charge)
SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with
the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the battery warning light may also turn
on in the instrument panel cluster. SeeBattery
Warning Light on page 188. The battery will not be
charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle will
lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however have
the electrical system checked by your dealer.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
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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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 324.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 189.
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 the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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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. The brakes may
not have time to cool between hard stops.
The 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 vehicle’s engine ever stops while you
are driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder
to push down. If the 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 324.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with the ABS, this
warning light will stay
on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light
on page 190.
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If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 166.
TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the shift lever position
you have chosen, so you should use the lower
gears only when necessary. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 124and/or
Manual Transmission Operation on page 126
for more information.
If there is a problem with TCS, TRACTION FAULT
will be displayed on your Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 202for more information.
When this warning is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you ever need to.
You should turn the system off if your vehicle
ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle
to Get It Out on page 291andIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 290for
more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 324for more information.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your limited-slip
rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the
rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction
to move the vehicle.
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The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For
safety, you want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance is longer and vehicle control more limited.While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You might not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road
to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive. Also, seeBraking on page 250
andAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 251.
If your vehicle does not have four-wheel drive,
you should not drive off-road unless you are on
a level, solid surface.
260

Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. If you try to drive through
owing water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried
away. As little as six inches of owing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise
be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your low-beam headlamps — not
just your parking lamps — to help make
you more visible to others.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead,
and be prepared to have your view
restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires on page 377.
280

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets
is the amount of traffic on them. You will want
to watch out for what the other drivers are
doing and pay attention to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip
into an unknown part of the city just as you
would for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and
energy. SeeFreeway Driving on page 282.
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A traffic light is there because the corner
is busy enough to need it. When a light turns
green, and just before you start to move,
check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running
the red light.
281

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply of windshield washer uid, a rag,
some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a
ashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reective
warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under
severe conditions, include a small bag of sand,
a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly
secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or
grip, and will need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But
wet ice can be even more trouble because it may
offer the least traction of all. You can get wet ice
when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing
rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice
until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
287