2009 CHEVROLET KODIAK suspension

Front Seats......................................................1-2
Bucket Seats.................................................1-2
Split Bench Seat (80/20 Split)..........................1-6
Air Suspension Seats......................................1-6
Rear Seats.....................................................1-10
Rear Seat Operation.....................................1-10
Safety Belts...................................................1-11
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone................1-11
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly.................1-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt.........................................1-24
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy..................1-26
Lap Belt......................................................1-27
Safety Belt Extender.....................................1-28
Child Restraints.............................................1-28
Older Children..............................................1-28
Infants and Young Children............................1-32
Child Restraint Systems.................................1-36
Where to Put the Restraint.............................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH)......................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position (Crew Cab)................1-40Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Rear Seat Position (Crew Cab)...................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position....................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position....................................1-44
Airbag System...............................................1-48
Where Are the Airbags?................................1-50
When Should an Airbag Inflate?.....................1-52
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?.......................1-53
How Does an Airbag Restrain?.......................1-53
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?........1-54
Airbag Off Switch..........................................1-55
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle...........1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................
.1-58
Restraint System Check..................................1-59
Checking the Restraint Systems......................1-59
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash............................................1-60
Section 1 Seats and Restraint System
1-1

Split Bench Seat (80/20 Split)
If your vehicle has a split bench seat, the passenger
seat is not adjustable.
There is a storage area underneath the seat cushion.
SeeStorage Areas on page 2-53.
Air Suspension Seats
Your vehicle may have a low-back or high-back air
suspension seat. There are several ways to adjust
the seat.
Fore-and-Aft Adjustment
If your vehicle has this lever
it is located underneath the
front of the driver’s seat.
To slide the seat forward or rearward, move the lever
toward the outboard side of the seat. The seat will lock in
at 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) increments. Try to move the seat with
your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.
1-6

Height Adjustment
On a vehicle with an air suspension seat height
adjustment lever, it is located on the front inboard side
of the seat.
To adjust the height of the air suspension seat, pull the
lever up to inflate. Push the lever down to deflate.
Your seat cushion may also be able to be raised or
lowered.If your vehicle has this
feature, the seat cushion
height adjustment handle is
located underneath the
front of the seat.
To adjust the height of the cushion, lift the handle up
and pull it forward. You can choose between two
settings. Seat Height Adjustment
Lever
1-7

Securing the Child Within the Child
Restraint
{CAUTION:
A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash
if the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. Secure the child properly following the
instructions that came with that child restraint.
Where to Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
We recommend that children and child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child
riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in
a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in
a booster seat; and children, who are large enough,
using safety belts.
Air Suspension Seats
{CAUTION:
A child restraint cannot be secured properly in an
air-suspension type seat. This is because an
air-suspension seat is designed to move up and
down for an adult passenger. Do not use a child
restraint in an air-suspension seat.
If your vehicle is a regular cab model with an
air-suspension seat in the right front passenger’s
position, there is no place in your vehicle to secure a
child restraint. The only answer is to have infants
and young children make the trip in another vehicle,
where they can get the protection they need.
Bucket or Bench Seats
If your vehicle is a regular cab model with a bucket or
bench seat in the right front passenger’s position,
the child restraint must be secured properly.
If your vehicle has airbags and you need to secure a
child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat, there is
a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to
turn off the passenger’s airbag. SeeAirbag Off Switch
on page 1-55andSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position on page 1-44for more on this,
including important safety information.
1-38

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-6
Door Locks....................................................2-6
Power Door Locks..........................................2-7
Windows.........................................................2-8
Manual Windows............................................2-9
Power Windows.............................................2-9
Sliding Rear Window.......................................2-9
Sun Visors....................................................2-9
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-10
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-10
Ignition Positions..........................................2-11
Engine Starter Over-Crank Protection..............2-12
Starting the Gasoline Engine..........................2-12
Starting the Diesel Engine..............................2-14
Engine Alarm and Automatic Shutdown............2-18
Idle Shutdown..............................................2-19
High Idle System..........................................2-20
Exhaust Restrictor (Engine Warm-Up)..............2-22
Engine Checks Before Operating....................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake.........................2-26
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-27
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-28
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................2-30
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-30
Parking.......................................................2-35
Two-Speed Rear Axle...................................2-36
Parking Brake (With Hydraulic Brakes).............2-38
Parking Brake (With Air Brakes)......................2-41
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure....................2-43
Air Suspension
.............................................2-44
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-44
Engine Exhaust............................................2-45
Diesel Particulate Filter..................................2-46
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-50
Mirrors...........................................................2-51
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-51
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-51
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirrors.................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-52
Storage Areas................................................2-53
Center Console Storage.................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Air Suspension
The vehicle may have the Hendrickson HAS Series
single-axle air suspension which is designed for
a single-axle on-highway use. This feature is available
in 19,000 lb (8 613.3 kg), 21,000 lb (9 525.4 kg)
and 23,000 lb (10 432.6 kg) capacities.
Rear Air Suspension Dump Control
If the vehicle is equipped with the Hendrickson HAS
Series single-axle air suspension, you may have
this control. The air suspension dump control allows the
operator to lower the deck height approximately
4.5 inches (11.5 cm) from the normal frame height.
The switch to deflate and
inflate the air suspension
is located on the
instrument panel.Press the bottom of the switch to deflate the air
suspension and lower the deck height. Press the top of
the switch to return the suspension to normal deck height.
An indicator light will come on and stay on whenever
the switch is in the dump position.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-44

Instrument Panel SwitchbankThis switchbank is located in the center of the instrument
panel.
e:Marker Lamps on page 3-16.
g/j:Power Take-Off (PTO) on page 2-30and
High Idle System on page 2-20.
i:Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8.
f:Outside Heated Mirrors on page 2-52.
L:Diesel Particulate Filter on page 2-46.
h:Rear Air Suspension Dump Control Switch.
SeeAir Suspension on page 2-44.
k:Rear Axle Shift Control Switch. SeeTwo-Speed
Rear Axle on page 2-36.
q:Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake on page 2-26.
l:Differential Lock Control Switch. SeeRear Axle
Differential Lock Control on page 4-7.
c:Airbag Off Switch on page 1-55.
If the vehicle does not have some of the features
controlled by these switches, a blank switch marker
is in its place.
3-18

The Certification label also tells you the maximum
weight for the front and rear axles, called the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on both
sides of the center line.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, spread it out.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else — they go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
•Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
•Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
•Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
•When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
•Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
4-21