2009 CHEVROLET KODIAK service

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
•Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
•Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
•Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition
off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going downhill.
•Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
•Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
•Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
4-16

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service to have the vehicle towed. They can provide the
right equipment and know-how to tow it without
damage. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-5.
Releasing Air-Operated Parking Brakes
If the vehicle has air brakes, there could be a special
towing problem. If the 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 the 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.
4-23

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-8
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-8
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-11
Water in Fuel...............................................5-11
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.....................5-22
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-23
Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel Engine).............5-24
Engine Oil (Caterpillar Diesel Engine)..............5-27
Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine).....................5-28
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-32
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-35Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX/Isuzu
Diesel Engines).........................................5-36
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)..........................................5-38
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-38
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-42
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-42
Cooling System............................................5-43
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar Diesel Engines)......5-47
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-47
Engine Overheating.......................................5-48
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-49
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-49
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-50
Brakes........................................................5-52
Battery........................................................5-61
Jump Starting...............................................5-62
Rear Axle.......................................................5-67
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-68
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-68
Front Axle......................................................5-69
Noise Control System.....................................5-70
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-70
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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

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 Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories to the 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.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non-GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, are not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize the 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 1-58.
5-3

Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
•Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts, and
tools before attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
•Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners
can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners
are used, parts can later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.If doing some of your own service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual can. To order
the proper service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-10.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-58.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service work performed. SeePart
D: Maintenance Record on page 6-33.
5-5

Engine Fan Breakage
{CAUTION:
Changing the Fan Drive Ratio or Engine Governed
Speed:
If you change the fan drive ratio or increase the
governed speed of the engine, you might increase
stress and the fan could eventually fail. If the fan
breaks apart while rotating, pieces can cause
severe injury to anyone — such as a service
technician — who is nearby. And, of course, the
pieces can severely damage the vehicle. Do not
change the fan drive ratio or increase the
governed speed of the vehicle without getting the
necessary information from your dealer/retailer.
Winter Fronts, Grille Covers, or Obstructions:
Winter Fronts, grille covers, or other add-on
equipment causing obstructions in front of or
behind the fan should not be used on this vehicle.
If this causes the fan to eventually break apart
while rotating, the pieces can cause severe injury
to anyone nearby, such as a service technician
working on the engine, and, of course, the pieces
can severely damage the vehicle.
Fuel
For diesel engine vehicles, seeDiesel Engine Fuel on
page 5-8.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance,
we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
5-6

Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-7