Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-12
Child Restraints
.......................................1-33
Airbag System
.........................................1-60
Restraint System Check
............................1-76
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-39
OnStar
®System
......................................2-47
Storage Areas
.........................................2-50
Sunroof
..................................................2-52
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-22
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-37
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-45Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-41
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-48
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-49
Front Axle
...............................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-59
Appearance Care
...................................5-105
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-114
Electrical System
....................................5-114
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-119
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Chevrolet Colorado Owner ManualM
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
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission shift lever
is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. Always set
the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-34.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-48.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the mirror to see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down and
side to side. Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
While you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
2-39
There are also OnStar®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-47for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
Cleaning the Mirror
While cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror.
AUTO/
((On/Off):Press and hold the AUTO button
located on the lower center of the mirror for about
three seconds to turn automatic dimming on.
The indicator light will illuminate when this feature is
active. The automatic dimming feature is active
each time the vehicle is started. Press and hold the
((off) button located next to the AUTO button for
about three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature off.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, the
automatic dimming mirror dims to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror has a dual display in the upper right corner
of the mirror face that shows the compass reading
and the outside temperature.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system are at the bottom
of the mirror. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-47for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-40
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass and Temperature
Display
Your vehicle may have this mirror. When on, an
automatic dimming mirror will dim to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror with the compass reading and
the outside temperature.
Yb: Brie y press this button to turn the display on
or off.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing
the compass/temperature button. Pressing the
compass/temperature button once brie y, will toggle the
display reading on and off. To alternate the temperature
reading between Fahrenheit and Celsius, press and
hold the compass/temperature button for approximately
three seconds until the display blinks F and C. After
approximately ve seconds of inactivity, the display will
stop blinking and display the last selection made.
If an abnormal reading is displayed, see your
dealer/retailer.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
O
:Press this button to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light to the left of
the button will turn on to indicate when the feature is on.
Once the mirror is turned off, it will remain off until it
is turned back on, or until the vehicle is restarted.
2-43
2. Press and hold the compass/temperature button for
six seconds until a zone number appears in the
display.
3. Press the compass/temperature button on the
bottom of the mirror until the new zone number
appears in the display. After you stop pressing the
button, the display will show a compass direction
within a few seconds.
Cleaning the Mirror
Use a paper towel or similar material dampened with
glass cleaner. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the
mirror as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter
the mirror housing.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside rearview mirrors so you can see a
little of the side of your vehicle, and the area beside your
vehicle from a comfortable driving position. The
mirrors can be folded in to enter narrow areas. Return
the mirrors to the unfolded position before driving.
2-45
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But,
as we get older, these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-24
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires in ated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-26