2009 CHEVROLET KODIAK Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Find the plug-in outlet located under the driver door.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts, and prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
2-25

Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake
If the vehicle has a Isuzu 6H Diesel Engine, it may have
an exhaust brake, which is located in the exhaust
system.
If the vehicle has a 6.6L DURAMAX
®6600 or
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine, it may have an exhaust
brake, which is controlled through the turbocharger.
The exhaust brake for both engines operates the same.
The exhaust brake switch
is located in the instrument
panel switchbank.
Push the bottom of the switch to turn the exhaust brake
on. When you push the top of the switch, the exhaust
brake will turn off.
There is an indicator light on the instrument panel
similar to the symbol on the switch, that comes on when
the exhaust brake is active. SeeExhaust Brake
Indicator Light on page 3-41for more information.While using the exhaust brake, the proper gear range
selection is important. The exhaust brake is most
effective if the gear range selected is the lowest possible
range that does not allow the engine rpm to go more
than 200 rpm above rated (full load) rpm. If you have
a Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine, do not exceed 2900 rpm.
If you have an Isuzu 6H Diesel engine, do not
exceed 2550 rpm. If the vehicle has a DURAMAX
®
6600 Diesel Engine, do not exceed 3600 rpm.
If the vehicle has an Allison
®1000/2200/2300/2350/2500/
2550 series automatic transmission and this button is
pressed, the transmission downshifts to a factory default
setting of third gear. To change the default setting, or for
more information on factory default settings, contact your
dealer/retailer for assistance.
The accelerator and clutch pedals must be released in
order for the exhaust brake to engage. The exhaust
brake will automatically shut off when the antilock brake
system is active.
If the vehicle has a Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine or a
DURAMAX®6600 Diesel Engine, the exhaust brake will
become active in cruise control when you exceed the
set speed by 3 to 5 mph.
2-26

Automatic Transmission Operation
If the vehicle has an Allison®five-speed or six-speed
automatic transmission, you will also find an Allison®
Transmission Operator’s Manual in the vehicle which
goes into more detail. On the headliner, in front of and
above the driver, or in some other place near the driver,
you will see a label that describes important operating
facts about the automatic transmission in the vehicle.
Make sure you follow the instructions on this label.
Vehicles equipped with an Allison
®3000 Series
transmission come with a push button shift selector that
will display transmission information. Refer to the Allison
®
Transmissions Operator’s Manual for more information
on transmission diagnostics and shift selector operation.
Be sure to keep the parking brake set until you are
ready to shift into D (Drive). SeeParking Brake (With
Hydraulic Brakes) on page 2-38orParking Brake (With
Air Brakes) on page 2-41for parking brake procedure.
Press the brake pedal while shifting from N (Neutral) or
P (Park) to a drive gear.All vehicles with automatic transmission can be started
in P (Park), if equipped, or in N (Neutral). See the
Allison
®Transmission Operator’s Manual for additional
information.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle
without the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
2-27

Overdrive Defeat
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not to
shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when towing or under
a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat
switch is located in the
instrument panel to
the right of the steering
column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to fourth gear.
This will allow for fewer downshifts while pulling a
trailer or under a heavy load. The indicator light in the
switch comes on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
If the vehicle is equipped with a push button shift
selector, refer to the Allison
®Transmission Operator’s
Manual for shift selector operating instructions.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you are starting to move the vehicle, it is
important to begin with the engine speed at idle. Then
start to engage the clutch and listen for an engine speed
drop of about 100 rpm. At this point, the clutch is
engaging, so you should increase the engine speed and
fully engage the clutch. It is important not to increase
the engine speed sooner or before the clutch begins its
engagement. If you do, you can cause damage to
the vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to N (Neutral) and engage the clutch. When
upshifting, slow the engine until the engine rpm and
road speed match. When downshifting, accelerate the
engine until the engine rpm and road speed match. Then
quickly disengage the clutch and move the shift lever
to the next gear position and engage the clutch.
2-28

Eaton®Fuller®Five and Six-Speed
Transmissions and TTC Spicer
Seven-Speed Transmissions
These transmissions have gears that automatically
synchronize when you shift up or down (except 1 (First)
gear on the five-speed and seven-speed transmission
which is unsynchronized). Choose the gear that will
maintain the road speed you want while keeping
the engine above two-thirds of the governed speed.
When the engine speed drops below two-thirds of the
governed speed, shift into the next lower gear before
your engine begins to lug. When you shift down, be sure
to double-clutch if required.
Eaton®Fuller®Nine and Ten-Speed
Non-Synchronized Manual
Transmissions
If the vehicle has one of these transmissions the engine
rpm and road speed must match when upshifting and
downshifting. The label above the windshield will tell you
the operating basics you need to know.
The following are driving tips.
•Always choose an initial starting gear suitable for
the load and terrain.
•Always use double-clutching procedures when
shifting.
•Never move the range shift lever to the LO speed
gear position after HI range preselection, or
anytime the transmission is in the HI range.
•Never move the range knob or lever with the shift
lever in N (Neutral) while the vehicle is moving.
•Never make a range shift while moving in
R (Reverse).
Clutch Brake (Vehicles with
Non-Synchronized Transmission)
A clutch brake is used to stop transmission input shaft
rotation so that 1 (First) or R (Reverse) gear selection
can be initiated when the vehicle is at a standstill
and the engine is idling.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down to the floorboard
to apply the clutch brake.
When using the clutch brake, disengage the clutch pedal
and shift the transmission into either the initial starting
gear or R (Reverse). If the tooth-butting occurs between
the clutching teeth, re-engage the clutch while applying
light pressure to the shift lever. This will provide for a
smooth shift into either 1 (First) or R (Reverse) gear.
Notice:Using the clutch brake for shifting into any
gear other than 1 (First) or R (Reverse) may cause
premature wear of the clutch brake and make gear
shift effort more difficult. Do not use the clutch brake
for shifting after engaging 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
2-29

Power Take-Off (PTO)
The vehicle may have
power take-off (PTO). The
PTO switch is located
on the instrument panel.
An indicator in the switch comes on to show PTO is
active. SeeHigh Idle System on page 2-20for
more information.
A PTO is a gearbox or mechanical device used to
transmit mechanical power from the powertrain, through
gears or a transmission, to another mechanical or
hydraulic device. Before using a PTO, refer to the
manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send the
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read
the part that follows before using four-wheel drive. You
should use two-wheel drive high for most normal
driving conditions.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of time can
cause premature wear on the vehicle’s powertrain.
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel
Drive for extended periods of time.
2-30

Locking Hubs
Turn the dial of the hublock (A) from the FREE position
to the LOCK position to lock the front axle.
Turn the dial of the hublock (A) from the LOCK position
to the FREE position to unlock the axle.
You do not have to back the vehicle up to disengage
the hublocks.If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive, the
transfer case knob is
located to the right of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel. Use this
knob to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive.
An indicator light shows you which position the transfer
case is in. The indicator lights come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition and one stays on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. An indicator light flashes while
shifting the transfer case. It will remain on when the
shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case
cannot make a requested shift, it returns to the last
chosen setting. Hublock Dial Location
Hublock Dial
2-31

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-23for further
information.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving in most
street and highway situations. The transfer case does
not drive the front axle in two-wheel drive. The front-axle
spins if the front wheel hubs are locked. Be sure to
unlock the hubs to achieve the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use Four-Wheel High when you
need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in
most off-road situations. Be sure the front wheel hubs are
locked when you want to drive in Four-Wheel High.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting sends maximum
power to all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel
Low if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud,
and climbing or descending steep hills. Be sure the front
wheel hubs are locked when you want to drive in
Four-Wheel Low.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the
vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be injured. If
you are going to leave the vehicle, set the parking
brake and shift the transmission to P (Park) and
make sure the transfer case is in a drive gear.
Notice:If the vehicle has an Allison
®transmission
and you try to put the transmission in P (Park)
while the transfer case is in Four-Wheel Low, the
transmission might not go into P (Park) and
could damage the vehicle. When parking the vehicle,
make sure the transfer case is in Two-Wheel High
or Four-Wheel High.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle.
2-32