Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-11
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag System
.........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-6
Windows
.................................................. 2-8
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-10
Mirrors
....................................................2-51
Storage Areas
.........................................2-53
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-24
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-47
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-24Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-7
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-22
Rear Axle
...............................................5-72
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-73
Front Axle
...............................................5-74
Noise Control System
...............................5-75
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-76
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-76
Other Service Items
..................................5-78
Tires
......................................................5-82
Appearance Care
.....................................5-94
Vehicle Identification
...............................5-101
Electrical System
....................................5-102
Capacities and Specifications
...................5-109
Maintenance Replacement Parts
...............5-115
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Chevrolet Kodiak Owner ManualM
Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-6
Door Locks....................................................2-6
Power Door Locks..........................................2-7
Windows.........................................................2-8
Manual Windows............................................2-8
Power Windows.............................................2-9
Sliding Rear Window.......................................2-9
Sun Visors....................................................2-9
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-10
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-10
Ignition Positions..........................................2-11
Engine Starter Over-Crank Protection..............2-12
Starting the Gasoline Engine..........................2-12
Starting the Diesel Engine..............................2-14
Engine Alarm and Automatic Shutdown............2-18
Idle Shutdown..............................................2-19
High Idle System..........................................2-20
Exhaust Restrictor (Engine Warm-Up)..............2-22
Engine Checks Before Operating....................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake.........................2-26
Two-Speed Rear Axle...................................2-27
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-29
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-30
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................2-32
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-32
Parking.......................................................2-37
Parking Brake (With Hydraulic Brakes).............2-38
Parking Brake (With Air Brakes)......................2-41
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure....................2-43
Air Suspension.............................................2-44
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-44
Engine Exhaust............................................2-45
Diesel Particulate Filter (Diesel Engine)............2-46
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-50
Mirrors...........................................................2-51
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-51
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-51
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirrors.................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-52
Storage Areas................................................2-53
Center Console Storage.................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When 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.
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.
Outside Power Mirrors
If you have outside power mirrors, they can be adjusted
from the inside of the vehicle.
The control for this
feature is located on the
driver’s door.
Select the mirror you want to move by turning the
switch clockwise to adjust the passenger’s side mirror,
or counterclockwise to adjust the driver’s side mirror.
The center position is neutral.
Then, adjust the mirror by pressing the outer arrows on
the switch until the mirror is in the desired position.
2-51
Outside Convex Mirrors
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right or left lane,
you could hit a vehicle. Check your regular
outside mirrors (or your inside mirror, if you
have one) before changing lanes.
Your vehicle may have convex mirrors on both the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side. They are curved
to allow more to be seen from the driver’s seat. A
convex mirror can make things look farther away than
they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, your outside rearview
mirrors can be defrosted.
The switch for this feature
is located in the instrument
panel switchbank.
Press the bottom of the switch to turn the outside
heated rearview mirrors on. The switch indicator light
will come on and stay on whenever the outside heated
rearview mirrors are activated.
2-52
Instrument Panel SwitchbankThis switchbank is located in the center of the instrument
panel.
e(Marker Lamp Defeat Switch):SeeMarker Lamps
on page 3-16.
g/j(Power Take Off/Manual High Idle Switch):
SeePower Take-Off (PTO) on page 2-32andHigh
Idle System on page 2-20.
i(Traction Control Switch):SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.
f(Outside Heated Mirror Switch):SeeOutside
Heated Mirrors on page 2-52.
L(Diesel Particulate Filter Switch):SeeDiesel
Particulate Filter (Diesel Engine) on page 2-46.
h(Rear Air Suspension Dump Control
Switch):SeeAir Suspension on page 2-44.
k(Rear Axle Shift Control Switch):SeeTwo-Speed
Rear Axle on page 2-27.
q(Exhaust Brake Switch):SeeDiesel Engine
Exhaust Brake on page 2-26.
3-18
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. If you do
not have this system, or if the system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is
slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
4-12
If you have the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do
not have ABS, then in a braking skid, where the
wheels are no longer rolling, release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This
restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
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 your 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.
4-13
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find 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.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
•Keep your vehicle serviced and in good shape.
•Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
•Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running and your
vehicle in gear when you go downhill.
4-15