
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-12
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Airbag System
.........................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-66
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-6
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-37
OnStar
®System
......................................2-47
Universal Home Remote System
................2-50
Storage Areas
.........................................2-55
Sunroof
..................................................2-58
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-64Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your 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
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-49
Rear Axle
...............................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-50
Front Axle
...............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-52
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
...................................5-100
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-109
Electrical System
....................................5-109
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-121
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Owner ManualM

Lockout Protection
This feature stops the power door locks from locking
when the key is in the ignition and a door is open
to protect you from locking your key in the vehicle.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, all the doors will lock
and then the driver’s door will unlock.
Liftgate/Liftglass
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
liftgate or liftglass open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come into your
vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the liftgate or liftglass:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your climate control
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See “Climate Control
System” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Liftgate Release
To unlock the liftgate, use the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5. The
liftglass will also unlock when the liftgate is unlocked.
Press the button on the liftglass to open it. To open the
entire liftgate, lift the handle located in the center of
the liftgate. When the liftgate is opened, the liftglass will
lock after a short delay.
2-11

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modi ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-29.
2-36

Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, the passenger’s outside
mirror will adjust to a preset tilt position while the vehicle
is in REVERSE (R) gear. Curb view assist may be
useful when you are parallel parking. The mirror
will return to normal position when the vehicle is shifted
out of REVERSE (R) gear. Automatic mirror movement
in either direction will follow a short delay.
You may be able to turn this feature on or off through
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-58.
Outside Convex Mirror
{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 lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If the vehicle has this feature, when the rear window
defogger is turned on, the outside driver’s and
passenger’s rearview mirrors also heat to help clear
them of ice, snow, and condensation. SeeDual Climate
Control System on page 3-21orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-24for more
information.
2-46

Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button
To reprogram any of the three Universal Home Remote
buttons, repeat the programming instructions earlier
in this section, beginning with Step 2.
For help or information on the Universal Home Remote
System, call the customer assistance phone number
underCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-5.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, lift the handle up. Use the key to lock and
unlock.
Overhead Console
Your vehicle may have this feature. The overhead
console may include reading lamps, a Universal Home
Remote and a sunroof switch. SeeSunroof on
page 2-58andUniversal Home Remote System on
page 2-50for more information.
Center Console Storage
Pull the front lever on the center console while lifting the
top to open it.
The console has cupholders on the front and rear of the
storage compartment.
The console may also contain:
Rear Seat Audio Controls
Rear Seat Accessory Power Outlets
Rear Climate Control
To open the center armrest compartment, lift the cover
by pulling up on the latch handle located under the
front edge of the armrest.
2-55

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Exit Lighting.................................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Trip Odometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-33
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-35
Charging System Light..................................3-37
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light. . . .3-39
StabiliTrak Service Light................................3-39
StabiliTrak Indicator Light...............................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-41
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-44
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-45
Security Light...............................................3-46
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. OnStar
®and Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped). SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-105.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-20.
G. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-105.
H. Transfer Case Controls. See “Automatic Transfer
Case” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-28.
I. Rear Window Washer/Wiper. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-9.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-64.
K. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-21.
L. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-17.M. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-16. Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
O. Driver Information Center (DIC) Steering Wheel
Controls (If Equipped). SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 3-49.
P. Ashtray. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-21.
Q. Shift Lever and StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeShifting Into
PARK (P) on page 2-33andStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-5.
R. Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-21.
S. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T. Rear Window Defogger. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underDual Climate Control System on
page 3-21andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-24.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-55.
3-5

A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53.Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, and vanity
lamps if they are left on for more than 20 minutes
when the ignition is off. This will keep the battery from
running down.
If the battery run-down protection shuts off the interior
lamps, it may be necessary to do one of the following to
return to normal operation:
Shut off all lamps and close all doors.
Turn the ignition key to RUN.
This feature will also turn off the parking lamps and
headlamps under most circumstances, if they are left on.
If you would like to turn them back on, turn the exterior
lamps knob.
3-19