2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO engine

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks
(Crew Cab) ................................................2-9
Lockout Protection..........................................2-9
Rear Doors (Extended Cab).............................2-9
Tailgate.......................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Manual Windows..........................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-15Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-15
Passlock
®(U. S. Only)..................................2-16
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............2-17
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation (Canada Only)............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-19
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-19
Ignition Positions..........................................2-19
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-21
Starting the Engine.......................................2-21
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-23
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-24
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-26
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-28
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)......2-34
Shifting Out of Park (Automatic Transmission).....2-36
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Parking the Vehicle (Manual Transmission).........2-36
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-37
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-38
Mirrors...........................................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display..............2-43Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-45
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-46
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-46
OnStar
®System.............................................2-47
Storage Areas................................................2-50
Glove Box...................................................2-50
Cupholders..................................................2-50
Center Console Storage.................................2-50
Assist Handles.............................................2-50
Rear Storage Area........................................2-51
Sunroof.........................................................2-52
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Sun Visors
To block glare, pull the sun visor down. It can also be
detached from the center mount and moved to the
side to block glare from that direction.
Visor Vanity Mirror
The passenger’s side sun visor may have a mirror. Pull
down the visor to access the mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
If your vehicle has the
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) system, the
vehicle has a content
theft-deterrent alarm
system.To activate the content theft-deterrent system:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the RKE transmitter. The
security light, located on the instrument panel
cluster, will ash.
If the lock button on the RKE transmitter is pressed, but
a door is open, the horn will chirp six times. Press
the lock button again, within three seconds, and the
doors will lock. Close the open door and the system will
be activated.
If a locked door is not opened using the RKE transmitter,
or by OnStar
®, the pre-alarm will go off. If the engine
is not started or unlock not pressed within 10 seconds,
the front turn signal lamps will ash for two minutes,
and the horn will sound for two minutes, then will turn off
to save the battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if
you lock the doors with a key, the manual door lock,
or power door lock switch. The system can only
be activated using the RKE transmitter, or by OnStar
®.
SeeOnStar®System on page 2-47for additional
information. You should also remember that you can
start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm
has been set off.
2-15

Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off the
alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn off the
alarm by pressing unlock on the RKE transmitter. The
alarm will not stop if you try to unlock a door any
other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by
locking the doors with the RKE transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and
open the door. This should set off the alarm.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button on
the RKE transmitter or start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the lights
ash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse
may be blown. To replace the fuse, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-115.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer/retailer for service.
Passlock®(U. S. Only)
Passlock®is a passive theft-deterrent system that
enables fuel if the vehicle is started with a valid key. If
an incorrect key is used or the ignition lock cylinder
is tampered with, the fuel system is disabled and
the vehicle does not start.
The security light turns off approximately ve seconds
after the engine is started. SeeSecurity Light on
page 3-36.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Release the key from
START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
the engine restarts if you turn the engine off. However,
the Passlock
®system is not working properly and
must be serviced by your dealer/retailer. The vehicle is
not protected by Passlock
®at this time. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-8.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
2-16

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer
The PASS-Key III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
(Canada Only)
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light comes on if there is a problem with
arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The key uses a transponder that matches an immobilizer
control unit in the vehicle. Only the correct key starts
the vehicle. If the key is ever damaged, the vehicle may
not start.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light comes on, there may be
a problem with the theft-deterrent system. Turn
the ignition off and try again.
2-17

If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be
undamaged, try another ignition key. Check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-115. If the engine
still does not start with the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the rst key may be
faulty. See your dealer/retailer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent system decoder to
learn the transponder value of a new or replacement
key. Up to 10 keys can be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for programming additional
keys only.
Canadian Owners:If the keys are lost or damaged,
only a dealer/retailer can service the theft-deterrent
system to have new ones made. Two current driver’s
keys are required to program additional keys.
To program a new key:
1. Verify that the new key has PK3+ stamped on it.
2. Insert the current driver’s key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the engine does not start see
your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.4. Insert the second current driver’s key in the ignition
and start the engine within ten seconds of removing
the previous key. If the engine does not start see
your dealer/retailer for service.
5. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key. Insert the key to
be programmed and turn it to ON/RUN within
ten seconds of removing the previous key.
The security light turns off once the key has been
programmed.
6. Repeat the Steps 1 through 5 if additional keys are
to be programmed.
If the security light comes on and stays on while driving,
the engine will restart if you turn it off. However, the
theft-deterrent system is not working properly and must
be serviced by your dealer/retailer. The vehicle is
not protected by the theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-8.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
2-18

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-48for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn to four
different positions.
To shift out of PARK (P), the ignition must be in ON/RUN
and the regular brake pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with your
hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If none of
this works, then your vehicle needs service.
(A) LOCK/OFF:This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. It locks the steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles when the key is removed. It is a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove
your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF.
2-19

If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to LOCK/OFF unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
If the steering wheel is locked, move it from right to left
and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If none of
this works, then your vehicle needs service.
(B) ACC/ACCESSORY:This is the position in which
you can operate your electrical accessories or items
plugged into the accessory power outlets. On automatic
transmission vehicles, this position unlocks the
ignition. On manual transmission vehicles, it unlocks the
ignition and steering wheel. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
(C) ON/RUN:This is the position that the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But
even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON/RUN to operate the electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel cluster warning and
indicator lights. The transmission is also unlocked in this
position on automatic transmission vehicles.The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
START (D):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC/ACCESSORY
and ON/RUN allows you to operate the electrical
accessories, such as the radio or items plugged into the
accessory power outlets.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
and the key is in the ignition.
2-20