2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO ECU

Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{CAUTION:
Cargo on the load oor piled higher
than the seatbacks can be thrown
forward during a sudden stop. You
or your passengers could be injured.
Keep cargo below the top of the
seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load oor
can be tossed about when driving
over rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by ying
objects. Secure the cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle’s center of gravity, making
it more likely to roll over. You can
be seriously or fatally injured if the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and low as possible.
There are some important things to remember
about how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load
oor and forward of the rear axle. Put
heavier items as far forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so
driving on the off-road terrain does not
toss things around.
You will nd other important information in this
manual. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 293
andTires on page 377.
262

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

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there
is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden
stop or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops
of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.There is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See“Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving”underOff-Road
Driving on page 260.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
Two-Tiered Loading
By positioning four 2” X 6” wooden planks across
the width of the pickup box, you can create an
upper load platform. The planks must be inserted
in the pickup box depressions. The length of
the planks must allow for at least a 3/4 inch (2 cm)
bearing surface on each end of the plank.
When using this upper load platform, be sure the
load is securely tied down to prevent it from
shifting. The load’s center of gravity should be
positioned in a zone over the rear axle.
Any load that extends beyond the vehicle’s
taillamp area must be properly marked according
to local laws and regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle.
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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.
301

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

Four-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.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.
{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.
305

4WD Extended Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine4.10 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine4.10 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should
not be exceeded.
4WD Crew Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should
not be exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at our
Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 464for more information.
312