2008 CHEVROLET KODIAK brakes

If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), it
improves your ability to accelerate when driving on a
slippery road. But you can turn the TCS off if you ever
need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-19. Even though your vehicle has TCS, slow
down and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
Under certain conditions, you might want to turn the TCS
off, such as when driving through deep snow and
loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-8.
If your vehicle does not have TCS, accelerate gently.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
Unless your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), you will want to brake very gently, too. If you do
have ABS, seeAntilock Brake System (ABS) on
page 4-5. ABS improves your vehicle’s stability when
you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Whether your
vehicle has ABS or not, begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. Without ABS, if you
feel your vehicle begin to slide, let up on the brakes a
little. Push the brake pedal down steadily to get the most
traction you can.Remember, unless your vehicle has ABS, if you brake
so hard that the wheels stop rolling, you will just
slide. Brake so the wheels always keep rolling and you
can still steer.
•Whatever your vehicle’s braking system, allow
greater following distance on any slippery road.
•Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On
an otherwise clear road, ice patches can appear in
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such
as around clumps of trees, behind buildings,
or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve
or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of
ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not
to brake while you are actually on the ice, and
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
4-17

Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
If you will be installing a snow plow on your vehicle, we
recommend that the vehicle have the snow plow
prep package (RPO ANQ). Before installing a snow
plow, see your dealer/retailer for information on
other recommended optional equipment and vehicle
weight restrictions.
Notice:The payload your vehicle can carry will be
reduced when a snow plow is installed. Your
vehicle can be damaged if either the front or rear
axle ratings, or the GVW, are exceeded. See
your dealer/retailer for more information.
{CAUTION:
On some vehicles that have certain front
mounted equipment, such as a snow plow, it
may be possible to load the front axle to the
front gross axle weight rating (GAWR) but not
have enough weight on the rear axle to have
proper braking performance. If your brakes can
not work properly, you could have a crash. To
help your brakes work properly when a snow
plow is installed, always follow the snow plow
manufacturer or installer’s recommendation for
rear ballast to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio, even though the
actual front weight may be less than the front
GAWR, and the total vehicle weight is less
than the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Maintaining a proper front and rear weight
distribution ratio is necessary to provide
proper braking performance.
4-23

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Releasing Air-Operated Parking Brakes
If your vehicle has air brakes, you could have a
special towing problem. If your vehicle has to be towed
because of a complete loss of air pressure from
both systems, the parking brakes will have automatically
engaged. The tow operator can release the brakes
manually by using the following steps. Then your vehicle
can be towed with all wheels or only the rear wheels
on the ground.1. Block the wheels of the vehicle.
2. Remove the release stud and nut from the side of
the brake chamber. Some chambers have studs
which are visible at all times.
4-24

3. Remove the rubber
cap from the rear of
the chamber.
4. Put the release stud, nut and flat washer into the
chamber.
5. Turn the stud clockwise a quarter of a turn.6. Turn the stud nut
clockwise several turns
to release the brakes.
Follow the same
procedure to release
the other brake or
brakes.
7. At the repair facility, apply air pressure of at least
70 psi (480 kPa) to the brake chambers, either
from an external air supply or the vehicle’s
air system.
8. Turn the stud nut counterclockwise several turns.
Remove the stud from the chamber.
9. Replace the stud and washer and tighten the nut
into the side of the chamber.
10. Replace the rubber cap.
4-25

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-6
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-7
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-9
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-9
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-12
Water in Fuel...............................................5-12
Running Out of Fuel.....................................5-17
Fuel Filter Replacement.................................5-18
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-19
Filling the Tank............................................5-20
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-22
Engine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine).............5-23
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-24
Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine)............5-28Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine).....................5-32
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-36
Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX
®/Isuzu
Diesel Engines).........................................5-37
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar
®Diesel
Engine)....................................................5-39
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-39
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-43
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-43
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines).....5-44
Engine Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX®/
Isuzu 7.8L L6 Engines)..............................5-44
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-47
Engine Overheating.......................................5-48
Cooling System............................................5-50
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-54
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-54
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-55
Brakes........................................................5-57
Battery........................................................5-66
Jump Starting...............................................5-67
Rear Axle.......................................................5-72
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
Adding non-dealer accessories to your vehicle can
affect its performance and safety. Such things as,
airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like anti-lock brakes, traction control, and
stability control could be affected. Some non-dealer
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage to
parts and systems and would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize your vehicle using genuine
GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer and
ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained
and supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-59.
5-4

How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine is not warm, you probably will not
get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you need
fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring it in
between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can cause
the brake or service brakes soon warning lights to come
on. In addition, the steering effort and emergency brake
distance could increase.
If either light remains on after you have added power
steering fluid to the proper level, then shut off the engine
for 10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, see “Hydraulic Brake
System Warning Lights” underBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-32for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Part C: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-31.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always use the
proper uid. Failure to use the proper uid can
cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
5-55

Brakes
Brake Fluid
If your vehicle has
hydraulic brakes, there is a
brake master cylinder in
the engine compartment
on the driver side of the
vehicle.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake fluid.
{CAUTION:
Do not add brake uid before you check the
level. If you do, you could get too much brake
uid. Brake uid could spill on the hot engine
and it can catch re. You could be burned and
your vehicle could be damaged. See “Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
Checking Brake Fluid
Apply the brake pedal several times with the ignition off.
The brake fluid reservoir is in the engine compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle. Clean one of the
reservoir caps and the area around the cap, and
remove it.
The fluid level should be
even with the bottom ring
of the filler opening. If it is
low, add enough fluid to fill
the reservoir to the proper
level.
5-57