2009 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER towing

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly 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, use the steps that follow.
With four-wheel drive, the vehicle will be free to
roll — even if the shift lever is in P (Park) — if your
transfer case is in Neutral. So, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in Neutral. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-30. Always put the
shift lever fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-48.To shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your foot and set
the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pressing the
button on the side of the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF/LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. You know the
vehicle is in P (Park) if the key can be removed
from the ignition.
2-35

Shifting Out of Park
The vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever
is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-43for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
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.
2-37

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-38.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Thevehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when
the engine is running unless you have to. 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 and move the shift lever to P (Park).
{CAUTION:
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, it will be free to
roll — even if the shift lever is in P (Park) — if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral). So be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-35.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-48.
2-39

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals
23Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-to-Pass Feature
NWindshield Wipers
JWindshield Washer
ICruise Control
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is complete.
The lever returns to its starting position when it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrows
ash rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb could be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-119.
If the vehicle has a trailer towing option with added
wiring for the trailer lamps, a turn signal asher is used.
With this asher installed, the signal indicator ashes
even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they
are working.
3-7

Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake does not release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means your vehicle has a brake problem. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-40.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
United States
Canada
3-36

If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle.
This system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement of the original
tires with other than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s
emission controls and can cause this light to come
on. Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 5-3.This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition has been detected.
A misre increases vehicle emissions and could damage
the emission control system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
3-40

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-10
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Competitive Driving.......................................4-14
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-27Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-27
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-28
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-29
Winter Driving..............................................4-30
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-32
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-33
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-39
Towing..........................................................4-40
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-40
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System....................................................4-47
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-48
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

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 4-32.
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 re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-81.
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 Four-Wheel High. For vehicles with StabiliTrak
®,
turn the traction control part of the system off. Shift back
and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear,
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.
Recovery hooks can be used, if the vehicle has them.
If the vehicle does need to be towed out, seeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-40.
Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of force.
Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never pull on
the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks could
break off and you or others could be injured from
the chain or cable snapping back.
4-32