2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO check engine

Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-27.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-66. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-84.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-74.
6-9

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The vehicle should start only in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the vehicle starts in
any other position, contact your dealer/retailer for
service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal down halfway,
and try to start the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch pedal is pushed down all
the way to the oor. If the vehicle starts when
the clutch pedal is not pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but
do not start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P) with
normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of
PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer for service.
6-10

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition
should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P). The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
With a manual transmission, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-69
Audio System(s).............................................3-47
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Battery..........................................................5-43
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
System Warning Light..................................3-30
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-54
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-51
Headlamps.................................................5-52Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-56
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
Calibration.............................................2-40, 2-43
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-119
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-10, 2-37, 4-28
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-108
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-63
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-54
Chains, Tire...................................................5-82
Charging System Light....................................3-29
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-33
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-112
2

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-8
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Diesel
Running Out of Fuel....................................2-38
Disc, MP3......................................................3-63
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override......................................3-17
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Rear Doors.................................................. 2-9
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-37
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-37
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-40
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-24
Before a Long Trip......................................4-26
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2Driving (cont.)
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-26
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-27
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-25
Off-Road ....................................................4-11
Recovery Hooks..........................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-32
Winter........................................................4-28
E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-114
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-115
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-115
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-115
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-17
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-17
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-33
Coolant......................................................5-27
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
4

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-32
Fuel..........................................................3-36
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-50
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-51
Headlamps....................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-51
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-19
Engine Coolant...........................................2-23
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-36
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-68
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-26
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-27
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-17
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-26I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-36
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-66
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-17
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
6

O
Odometer......................................................3-24
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-24
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery........................................... 4-9
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-35
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-33
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-47
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-46
Manual Mirrors............................................2-45
Power Mirrors.............................................2-46
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-112
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-34
Shifting Out of............................................2-36
Park Brake....................................................2-32
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-37
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-27
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-69
Passing........................................................... 4-9
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-17
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-17
Passlock
®......................................................2-16
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab....................4-40
Power
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-21
Seat............................................................ 1-3
9