2008 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER heating

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have this feature. The ashtray is
removable and ts into the front cupholder.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull the covered bin out of the
cupholder.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way, and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes.
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
and ventilation for your vehicle.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
If the knob is in off mode, outside air still enters the
vehicle, and is directed based on the position of
the mode knob. The temperature can still be adjusted
using the temperature knob.
3-21

Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle. When your vehicle
is rst started and the climate control system is on, or if
the climate control system has been turned on, the
display will show the driver’s temperature setting for
ve seconds. Then it will show the outside temperature.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle,
and will be directed to the oor. Press the AUTO button,
the mode button, the fan arrows, or either temperature
knob to turn the system on.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually select the air
delivery mode to the oor, instrument panel, or
windshield outlets. The system will stay in the selected
mode until the mode button is pressed again or the
AUTO button is pressed.
Driver’s Side Temperature Knob:Turn this knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower
the temperature on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The display will show the temperature setting decreasing
or increasing and an arrow pointing toward the driver.
This knob can also adjust the passenger’s side
temperature setting if the two are linked.
Passenger’s Side Temperature Knob:Turn this knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to manually raise or
lower the temperature on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. The display will show the temperature
setting decreasing or increasing and an arrow pointing
3-24

StabiliTrak Indicator Light
This warning light should
come on briey when the
engine is started.
During most driving conditions, this light will not come
on. If the StabiliTrak
®System is actively controlling
the stability and/or traction of the vehicle, this light will
ash. This is normal.
This light will come on if any portion of the system has
been manually turned off or a problem is detected
in the system.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center, a
message will appear also, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-53andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-5for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, it means that
your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions,
you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30for more
information.
United StatesCanada
3-40

CHECK WASHER FLUID
This message displays if the washer uid level is low.
Adding washer uid to the windshield washer uid
reservoir clears this message. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-39. This message clears itself after
10 seconds, or you can manually clear it from the
DIC display.
CURB VIEW ACTIVATED
This message displays when the passenger outside
rearview mirror moves into the curb view position.
SeeOutside Curb View Assist Mirror on page 2-46
for more information.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
door is not fully closed. Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT/ENGINE
OVERHEATED
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle assoon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-30for more information.
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
cooling system temperature gets hot. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-30for the proper course of
action. This message clears when the coolant
temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeLow
Fuel Warning Light on page 3-48,Filling the Tank on
page 5-8, andFuel on page 5-5for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message may display if the outside temperature
reaches a level where ice could form on the roadway.
Adjust your driving accordingly. If the temperature
rises to a safe level, the message clears. This message
clears itself after 10 seconds, or you can manually
clear it from the DIC display.
KEY FOB # BATTERY LOW
This message displays if a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery in the
transmitter. See “Battery Replacement” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5.
3-54

Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
Your vehicle may be equipped with an electronically
controlled air suspension system that automatically
keeps your vehicle level as you load and unload. The
system includes a compressor, two height sensors
and two air springs supporting the rear axle.
The system also has an internal clock to prevent
overheating if the inator is used for prolonged periods.
If the system overheats, all leveling function stops
until the system cools down. During this time, the
indicator light on the air inator switch will be ashing.
The ignition has to be on for the system to inate,
in order to raise the vehicle to the standard ride height
after loading. The system can lower the vehicle to
the standard ride height after unloading with the ignition
on and also for up to 30 minutes after the ignition
has been turned off.
You may hear the compressor operating when you load
your vehicle, and periodically as the system adjusts
the vehicle to the standard ride height.Load leveling will not function normally with the inator
hose attached to the inator outlet. Remove the
inator hose from the outlet during loading and
unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time,
some bleed down of the suspension is normal. Upon
starting the vehicle, proper height will be achieved.
Overload Protection
The air suspension system is equipped with overload
protection. Overload protection is designed to protect the
air suspension system, and it is an indicator to the
driver that the vehicle is overloaded. When the overload
protection mode is on, it will not allow damage to the
air compressor. However, do not overload the vehicle.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-35.
If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear axle
load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).
When the overload protection mode is activated, the
compressor operates for about 30 seconds to one minute
without raising the vehicle depending on the amount
of overload. This will continue each time the ignition
is turned on until the rear axle load is reduced
below GAWR.
4-47

Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,500 lbs (680 kg) loaded,
then it needs its own brakes — and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®, your
trailer brakes cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-36. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-21orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-24.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
4-55

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet. When parking uphill, turn your wheels
away from the curb. When parking downhill, turn
your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4-57

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-28
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-30
Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-32Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
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
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-53
License Plate Lamp......................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-58
Winter Tires.................................................5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-65
High-Speed Operation...................................5-66
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1