2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO traction control

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 4-5. 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 4-41.
Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways angle.
The hooks could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
4-32

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to
your vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like
antilock brakes, traction control and stability control.
Some of these accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize your vehicle using
genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your GM
dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you
will know that GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work using genuine GM
Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-74.
5-3

GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s sidewall near the tire
size. If the tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC spec number will be followed by an MS for
mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-60
for additional information.
GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four. This is
because uniform tread depth on all tires will help
keep your vehicle performing most like it did when the
tires were new. Replacing less than a full set of tires can
affect the braking and handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-74
for information on proper tire rotation.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial and
bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle
properly, and you could have a crash. Using
tires of different sizes, brands, or types may
also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to
use the correct size, brand, and type of tires
on all wheels.
Your vehicle may have a compact spare tire
and wheel assembly. If the vehicle has a
compact spare tire and wheel, they have the
same overall diameter as your vehicle’s
full-size tires and wheels. Because they were
designed and developed for use on your
vehicle, it is all right to drive your vehicle with
the compact spare installed properly. Compact
spare tires are designed for temporary use
only. SeeSpare Tire on page 5-103.
5-77

{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those that
do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they
are the same size, load range, speed rating, and
construction type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your
vehicle’s original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if
non-TPC Spec rated tires are installed on your vehicle.
Non-TPC Spec rated tires may give a low-pressure
warning that is higher or lower than the proper warning
level you would get with TPC Spec rated tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-69.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading
the Vehicle on page 4-33, for more information about
the Tire and Loading Information Label and its location
on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, antilock brakes, traction
control, and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-76andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
5-78

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specied government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Warning
:The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
5-79

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/75R15, P265/75R15,
P235/75R15, P265/70R17, or P235/50R18 size
tires, do not use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because 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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust, or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle. Do not
spin the vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/75R15, P265/75R15, P235/75R15, P265/70R17,
or P235/50R18 use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the tires of the rear
axle. Do not use chains on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-82

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-60
Lamps
Dome ........................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override...................................3-17
Exterior Cargo.............................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-31
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-25
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-8
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-56
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-26
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning...........3-31
Brake System Warning.................................3-30Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-29
Cruise Control.............................................3-36
Highbeam On.............................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-33
Oil Pressure...............................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-27
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-25
Security.....................................................3-36
TCS Warning Light......................................3-31
Tire Pressure..............................................3-32
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-31
Up-Shift.....................................................3-29
Lighting
Exit...........................................................3-17
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Interior Lamps.............................................3-16
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Limited-Slip Rear Axle....................................... 4-6
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-9
Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-9
7

Tires (cont.)
Secondary Latch System..............................5-96
Spare Tire................................................5-103
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-99
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-79
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-80
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-80
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-76
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-41
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-48
Your Vehicle...............................................4-41
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-5
Control System Warning Light.......................3-31
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.................................... 4-6
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-61
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-24
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-29
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-24
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-26Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-40
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-79
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-29
Using this Manual................................................ ii
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-33
Parking Your...............................................2-36
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-17
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-114
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-114
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-21
Visors...........................................................2-15
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