2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO transmission

Q:Are there some things I should not do
when driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you
ignore them you could lose control and
have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take
you across the incline of the hill. A hill that
is not too steep to drive down may be
too steep to drive across. You could roll
over if you do not drive straight down.
Never go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal
pressed down with a manual transmission.
This is called “free-wheeling.” The brakes will
have to do all the work and could overheat
and fade.
Q:Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A:It is much more likely to happen going
uphill. But if it happens going downhill,
here is what to do.
1. Stop your vehicle by applying the regular
brakes. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift to PARK (P), or to NEUTRAL with the
manual transmission, and, while still braking,
restart the engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release the parking
brake, and drive straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get out and
get help.
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you
are planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
SeeOff-Road Driving on page 260for information
about driving off-road.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission. These
parts can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could
get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Always
have the engine running and your vehicle
in gear when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some
of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
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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

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle — such as behind
a motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy”
(towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground) and “dolly” (towing your vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment,
many vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing” following.
Here are some important things to consider
before you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle
is prepared to be towed.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be
towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no
provisions for internal lubrication while
being towed.
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Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Drive the vehicle to be towed into position
behind the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 133for more information.3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to
the tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission, or if your vehicle
is in gear, for a manual transmission.
You or others could be injured. Make
sure the parking brake is rmly set before
you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 129for
more information.
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6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven
for six weeks or more, remove the battery
cable from the negative terminal (post) of the
battery to prevent your battery from draining
while towing.
After towing see “Shifting Out of NEUTRAL”
underFour-Wheel Drive on page 129.
Dolly Towing
Front Towing
(Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Never tow your vehicle with the rear wheels
on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internallubrication while being towed. To dolly tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle, you must tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels on the dolly. See “Rear Towing
(Rear Wheels Off the Ground)” later in this section
for more information.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow your
vehicle from the front:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 133for more information.
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3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).
4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to
the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission, or if your vehicle
is in gear, for a manual transmission.
You or others could be injured. Make
sure the parking brake is rmly set before
you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 129for
more information.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven
for six weeks or more, remove the battery
cable from the negative terminal (post) of the
battery to prevent your battery from draining
while towing.
After towing see “Shifting Out of NEUTRAL”
underFour-Wheel Drive on page 129.
303

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle
from the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 133for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to
the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the
tow vehicle. Make sure the wheels are straight
before towing.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure
the wheels are straight before proceeding
to the next steps. On automatic transmission
vehicles, use an adequate clamping device
to ensure that the front wheels are locked into
the straight position.
5. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the tow vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven
for six weeks or more, remove the battery
cable from the negative terminal (post) of the
battery to prevent your battery from draining
while towing.
304