2007 HUMMER H3 steering

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 engine and oil coolers for mud accumulation.
Thoroughly and carefully clean these devices
to allow proper cooling. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, underbody shields,
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. See the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Assist Steps
Your vehicle may be equipped with removable
side steps.
Remove the steps prior to off-roading to give your
vehicle more ground clearance and to prevent
damage to the vehicle from the side steps
dragging and/or catching on obstacles.
Notice:Do not drive off-road with the side
steps attached to your vehicle. You can damage
the side steps and/or your vehicle’s frame if
they get caught or drag against an obstacle.
This damage would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty. Always remove the side
steps prior to any off-road driving.
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Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
The Traction Control System (TCS) improves your
ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery
road. It will improve your ability to accelerate.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow on page 286. Even though your
vehicle has TCS, you will want to slow down
and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
Under certain conditions, you may want to
turn your traction system off, such as when
driving through deep snow and loose gravel,
to help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 241
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 244.The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improve your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 239.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of trees, behind
buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the
surface of a curve or an overpass may remain
icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you
see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
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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 your 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 transmission or
other parts of 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.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 389.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
Your vehicle has a traction control system that
will activate when the system senses that
the wheels are spinning. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 241for more information.
Then, with the wheels straight ahead, 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. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear.
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Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and
any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. Because you’re a good
deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move
that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp
turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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Trailer Brake Control Wiring Harness
The trailer brake control wiring harness is located
under the instrument panel to the right of the
steering column. The wires are taped to the
harness that goes to the courtesy light under
the instrument panel. The harness will contain
the following wires:
Red Wire: AUX B+
Black Wire: Ground
Light Blue Wire: Brake Signal
Dark Blue Wire: Trailer Brakes
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the
Cargo Weight Rating (CWR). CWR is the
maximum weight of the load your vehicle can
carry. It doesn’t include the weight of the people
inside, but you can gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg)
for each seat. The total cargo load must not
be more than your vehicles CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with your trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR.
If you are using a weight-distributing hitch,
weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread
out the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information seeTowing a Trailer
on page 297.
310

Service........................................................ 314
Accessories and Modications................... 314
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 315
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 315
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 316
Fuel............................................................. 316
Gasoline Octane........................................ 316
Gasoline Specications.............................. 316
California Fuel........................................... 316
Additives................................................... 317
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 318
Filling the Tank......................................... 318
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 320
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 321
Hood Release........................................... 321
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 322
Engine Oil................................................. 323Engine Oil Life System.............................. 326
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 328
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 329
Manual Transmission Fluid........................ 332
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 334
Engine Coolant.......................................... 335
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 338
Engine Overheating................................... 338
Cooling System......................................... 340
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 345
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 345
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 346
Brakes...................................................... 347
Battery...................................................... 351
Jump Starting............................................ 352
Rear Axle.................................................... 357
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 358
Front Axle................................................... 358
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
311

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 346.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 335.
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 328.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 345.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If
Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 329.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 323.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 340.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 352.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 323.
J. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 352.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 347.L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 351.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 334.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 322
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
323

Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan.
When the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine. In most
everyday driving conditions, the clutch is not
engaged. This improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing and/or high outside temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It
is merely the cooling system functioning properly.
The fan will slow down when additional cooling
is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 322for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless you suspect there is a leak
in the system or you hear an unusual noise.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
345