2007 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER suspension

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle. 306
Defensive Driving...................................... 306
Drunken Driving........................................ 307
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 310
Braking...................................................... 310
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 311
Braking in Emergencies............................. 313
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 313
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 313
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
(TrailBlazer SS)...................................... 318
Steering.................................................... 318
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 320
Passing..................................................... 321
Loss of Control.......................................... 322
Competitive Driving................................... 323
Off-Road Driving (Except SS).................... 323
Driving at Night......................................... 339
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 340City Driving............................................... 344
Freeway Driving........................................ 345
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 346
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 347
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 348
Winter Driving........................................... 350
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 354
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 354
Recovery Hooks........................................ 355
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 356
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment.............................................. 362
Towing........................................................ 362
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 362
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 362
Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System................................ 367
Towing a Trailer........................................ 368
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
305

Driving in Water
{CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you and your
passengers could drown. If it is only
shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you
could lose traction and roll the vehicle
over. Do not drive through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding, and ood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive
through it. If it is deep enough to cover the
wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe, do not try
it — you probably will not get through. Also, water
that deep can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.
At faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition
system and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also
occur if you get the tailpipe under water. And,
as long as the tailpipe is under water, you
will never be able to start the engine. When you
go through water, remember that when the brakes
get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
SeeDriving in Rain and on Wet Roads on page 340
for more information on driving through water.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on
the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage. Also, check
the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
338

Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×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,
and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s
capacity weight.
Your vehicle may have an electronically controlled
air suspension system that automatically keeps
your vehicle level as you load and unload
your vehicle. SeeElectronically Controlled Air
Suspension System on page 367for additional
information.
Example 3
359

{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.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your vehicle’s
weight ratings. Ask your dealer to help you
load your vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
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 (Except SS) on page 323.
361

Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
Your vehicle may be equipped with an
electronically controlled air suspension system that
automatically keeps your vehicle level as you
load and unload. The system includes a
compressor, two height sensors and two air
springs supporting the rear axle.
The system also has an internal clock to prevent
overheating if the inator is used for prolonged
periods. If the system overheats, all leveling
function stops until the system cools down. During
this time, the indicator light on the air inator
switch will be ashing.
The ignition has to be on for the system to inate,
in order to raise the vehicle to the standard ride
height after loading. The system can lower
the vehicle to the standard ride height after
unloading with the ignition on and also for up to
30 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.You may hear the compressor operating when you
load your vehicle, and periodically as the system
adjusts the vehicle to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with
the inator hose attached to the inator outlet.
Remove the inator hose from the outlet during
loading and unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of
time, some bleed down of the suspension is
normal. Upon starting the vehicle, proper height
will be achieved.
Overload Protection
The air suspension system is equipped with
overload protection. Overload protection is
designed to protect the air suspension system,
and it is an indicator to the driver that the vehicle
is overloaded. When the overload protection
mode is on, it will not allow damage to the
air compressor. However, do not overload the
vehicle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 356.
367

If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear
axle load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating). When the overload protection
mode is activated, the compressor operates
for about 30 seconds to one minute without raising
the vehicle depending on the amount of overload.
This will continue each time the ignition is
turned on until the rear axle load is reduced
below GAWR.
Indicator Light
The indicator light on the inator switch in the rear
passenger compartment also serves as an
indicator for internal system error. If the indicator
light is ashing without the load leveling function
or the inator being active, turn off the ignition. The
next day turn on the ignition and check the
indicator light. The vehicle can be driven with the
light ashing, but if it is you should have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured. You
may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask
your dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
368

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control
of your vehicle and you or others may be
injured in a crash. Use another type of
traction device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your vehicle
and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to
your vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or
remove the device if it is contacting your
vehicle, and do not spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Accessory Inator
Your vehicle may have an accessory inator
system. You can inate things like basketballs and
bicycle tires. You can also use it to bring your tire
pressure up to the proper pressure. It is not
designed to inate large objects which will require
more than ve minutes to inate, such as an air
mattress.
The accessory inator is
located in the rear
compartment on
the driver’s side of the
vehicle behind an
access cover, near the
liftgate opening.
To remove the cover, push in on the tab to access
the inator.
You may have an air inator kit that is located in
the glove compartment. It includes a 22 ft (6.7 m)
hose with three nozzle adapters.
472

To use the accessory inator, do the following:
1. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter
to the end of the hose, if required.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be
injured. Be sure to read the inator
instructions, and inate any object only to
its recommended pressure.
2. Attach that end of the hose to the object you
wish to inate.
3. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
4. Press and release the switch to turn the
air inator on. The indicator light will
remain on when the inator is running.
The system has an internal clock to
prevent the system from overheating.
The system will allow about ve minutes of
running time, then the compressor will stop.The indicator light will then begin to ash.
When the indicator is off, the inator can be
started again by pressing the switch. If the
compressor is still hot, it may only run
for a short time before shutting off again.
5. Press and release the switch to turn the
inator off.
Place the inator kit tools in the pouch and store it
in its proper location. Remove the inator hose
from the outlet during loading and unloading.
Load leveling will not function with the inator hose
attached to the inator outlet. SeeElectronically
Controlled Air Suspension System on page 367
for more information.
To reinstall the cover, line up the tabs at the back
of the cover, put it in place and latch the tabs.
A continuous ashing indicator light may also
indicate a malfunction in the air suspension
system. SeeElectronically Controlled Air
Suspension System on page 367for more
information.
473