2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO transmission

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

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certied for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. To
determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-27.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Manual
TransmissionManual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021806,
in Canada 89021807).
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345347,
in Canada 10953517) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake uid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
6-12

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Transfer CaseSynchromesh Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345349,
in Canada 10953465).
Rear Driveline
Center Spline
and Universal
JointsChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Constant
Velocity
Universal JointChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood and Door
Hinges, Body
Door Hinge
Pins, Liftgate
Hinge and
Linkage,
Folding Seats,
and Fuel Door
HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Outer Tailgate
Handle Pivot
Points and
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with
Teon, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12371287,
in Canada 10953437).
6-13

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
7-16

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

Engine (cont.)
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Fan Noise..................................................5-37
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-30
Starting......................................................2-21
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Cargo Lamps......................................3-16
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-112
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-69
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-5
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-83
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-84Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-99
Fluid.............................................................5-24
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-28, 5-49
Front Axle......................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps...........................................5-53
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-36
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Running Out of...........................................2-38
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-115
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-115
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-115
5