2009 CHEVROLET KODIAK headlamp

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 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

Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about
to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-19.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. For four-wheel-drive vehicles,
shift into 4HI. Turn off any traction system. Shift back and
forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, or with a
manual transmission, between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-23.
4-19

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-71
Other Service Items........................................5-72
Fuel Filter....................................................5-72
Primary Fuel Filter and Water Separator..........5-73
Secondary Fuel Filter and Water Separator/
Heater (Caterpillar Diesel)............................5-74
Front Wheel Bearings with
Oil-Filled Hubs..........................................5-75
Tires..............................................................5-76
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-77
Wheel Loading.............................................5-78
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-78
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-78
Buying New Tires.........................................5-79
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-80
Tightening the Wheel Nuts.............................5-80
Wheel Replacement......................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Appearance Care............................................5-87
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-87
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-88
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................5-89
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-89
Weatherstrips...............................................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-90Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-90
Finish Care..................................................5-90
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-91
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim..................................................5-92
Tires...........................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-93
Finish Damage.............................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-93
Vehicle Identification
......................................5-94
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-94
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-94
Electrical System............................................5-95
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-95
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-95
Fusible Links................................................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options..........5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-96
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-99
Capacities and Specifications........................5-102
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-108
Maintenance Replacement Parts...................5-108
Engine Drive Belt Routing............................5-110
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Using wheels and tires with higher load-carrying limits
than the original wheels and tires does not change
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) or the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your vehicle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-20for more
information.
Notice:The wrong wheel can cause trouble in
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, stopping distance and tire
clearance to the body and chassis. You could also
have other problems like a tire air-out.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on the vehicle is dangerous.
You cannot know how it has been used or how far
it has been driven. It could fail suddenly and
cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use
a new GM original equipment wheel.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop –– well off the road if possible.
5-85

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to the
vehicle unless you check with your dealer/retailer
first. Some electrical equipment can damage
the vehicle and the damage would not be covered
by the vehicle’s warranty. Some add-on electrical
equipment can keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the vehicle battery, even if
the vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-58.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the light switch. An electrical overload will cause the lights
to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off. If this
happens, have your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker inside the motor and a circuit breaker or fuse in
the fuse block. If the motor overheats, the wipers will
stop until the motor cools. If the overload is caused by
an electrical problem, be sure to get it fixed.
Fusible Links
A fusible link is a short piece of wire several gauge
sizes smaller than the circuit it protects. It will melt in an
overload situation, opening the circuit.
The starter and other circuits have fusible links. The size
is printed on the insulation. If the insulation is burned
beyond recognition, consult your dealer/retailer for the
proper size. Replace a fusible link with one of the same
size and insulation type. Fusible link insulation is a
special purpose high-temperature material.
Some examples of circuits with fusible links are the
hydraulic brake booster motor feed circuit, the generator
output circuit, and the intake heater feed circuit in
vehicles with a diesel engine.
5-95

Fuse Usage
IGN 1 Ignition 1
IGN 4 Ignition 4
IGN 3 Ignition 3
BATT/HAZ Battery/Hazard Warning Flashers
HEADLAMP Headlamps
LIGHTING Interior/Exterior Lamps
HVAC Climate Control System
NOTEC4/C5 Electric Brake,
C6/C7/C8 Brake Lamps
Secondary Underhood
Fuse Block
5-101

Mirrors and Sun Visors Check
Check that friction joints hold mirrors and sun visors in
place.
Seat Adjuster Check
When adjusting a manual seat, be sure seat adjusters
latch by attempting to move the seat after latching.
Lamps Check
Check panel lighting, warning lights, indicator lights, and
interior lamps. On the outside, check: license plate lamps,
sidemarker lamps, reflectors or lights on outside mirrors,
headlamps, parking lamps, identification and clearance
lamps, taillamps, brake lamps, turn signals, backup
lamps, and hazard warning flashers. Have headlamp aim
checked at once if beams seem improperly aimed.
Glass, Mirrors, Lamps, and/or
Reflectors Condition Check
Look for broken, scratched, dirty, or damaged glass,
mirrors, lamps, or reflectors that could reduce the view
or visibility or cause injury. Replace, clean, or repair
promptly.
Door Latches Check
Check that doors close, latch, and lock tightly. Check for
broken, damaged, or missing parts that might prevent
tight latching.
Hood Latches Check
Check that the hood closes firmly. Check for broken,
damaged, loose, or missing parts that might prevent tight
latching. Make sure the secondary latch, if the vehicle
has one, keeps the hood from opening all the way when
the primary latch is released.
6-29

Diesel Engine.................................................2-26
Engine Alarm and Automatic Shutdown...........2-18
Exhaust Restrictor.......................................2-22
Fuel............................................................ 5-8
High Idle System.........................................2-20
Starting......................................................2-14
Diesel Particulate Filter....................................2-46
Diesel Particulate Filter Warning Light................3-46
Differential Lock Control, Rear Axle..................... 4-7
Differential Lock Indicator Light.........................3-41
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-5
Dome Lamps .................................................3-16
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-13
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-16
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-14
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-19
Tow Hooks.................................................4-20
Winter........................................................4-17
Driving for Better Fuel Economy......................... 4-2
Dual Tire Operation.........................................5-78E
EDR .............................................................7-11
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-96
Fusible Links..............................................5-95
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-95
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-96
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-96
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-99
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-95
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-38
Alarm and Automatic Shutdown.....................2-18
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-36
Checks Before Operating..............................2-23
Coolant......................................................5-47
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-34
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake........................2-26
Drive Belt Routing......................................5-110
Exhaust.....................................................2-45
Exhaust Restrictor.......................................2-22
Fan Breakage............................................... 5-6
Fan Noise..................................................5-49
High Idle System.........................................2-20
Oil ....................................5-24, 5-27, 5-28, 5-32
Oil Life System...........................5-35, 5-36, 5-38
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