2009 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer case
into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Neutral. See “Shifting into
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the
key — the steering wheel will still turn.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off the
Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is towed with
the rear wheels on the ground, the transmission
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Never tow the
vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
four-wheel-drive vehicle from the front with the rear
wheels on the ground:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer case
into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Neutral. See “Shifting into
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the dolly.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
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Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-34.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
four-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-34.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer case
into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
7. Shift the transfer case to Neutral. See “Shifting into
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-30.
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Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
With this feature, an electronically controlled air
suspension system automatically keeps the vehicle level
as it is loaded and unloaded. The system includes a
compressor, two height sensors and two air springs
supporting the rear axle.
The system also has an internal clock to prevent
overheating if the inator is used for prolonged periods.
If the system overheats, all leveling function stops
until the system cools down.
The ignition has to be on for the system to inate, in order
to raise the vehicle to the standard ride height after
loading. The system can lower the vehicle to the standard
ride height after unloading with the ignition on and also for
up to 30 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
The compressor may be heard while it is operating when
the vehicle is being loaded, and periodically as the
system adjusts the vehicle to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with the inator
hose attached to the inator outlet. Remove the inator
hose from the outlet during loading and unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time,
some bleed down of the suspension is normal. Upon
starting the vehicle, proper height will be achieved.
Overload Protection
The air suspension system is equipped with overload
protection. Overload protection is designed to protect
the air suspension system, and it is an indicator to the
driver that the vehicle is overloaded. When the overload
protection mode is on, it will not allow damage to the
air compressor. However, do not overload the vehicle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-33.
If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear axle
load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).
When the overload protection mode is activated, the
compressor operates for about 30 seconds to one minute
without raising the vehicle depending on the amount
of overload. This will continue each time the ignition
is turned on until the rear axle load is reduced
below GAWR.
Indicator Light
The indicator light on the inator switch in the rear
passenger compartment also serves as an indicator for
internal system error. If the indicator light is ashing
without the load leveling function or the inator being
active, turn off the ignition. The next day turn on the
ignition and check the indicator light. The vehicle can be
driven with the light ashing, but if it is, the vehicle should
be serviced as soon as possible.
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Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even at
all. The driver and passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask your dealer/
retailer for advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in
this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these
are important for your safety and that of your passengers.
So please read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
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Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
the rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
Vehicles with an automatic transmissions can tow in
D (Drive). Shift the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy loads
and/or hilly conditions.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on the vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment on
the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in
this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
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Look in the following chart to nd the maximum trailer weight for the vehicle.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt. *GCWR
2WD TrailBlazer (4.2 L L6 Engine)3.42 5,400 lbs (2 449 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
3.73 5,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg)
4.10 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer (4.2 L L6 Engine)3.42 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
3.73 5,700 lbs (2 585 kg) 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg)
4.10 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
2WD TrailBlazer (5.3 L V8 Engine)3.42 6,300 lbs (2 858 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
3.73 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer (5.3 L V8 Engine)3.42 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
3.73 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
**2WD TrailBlazer SS
(6.0 L V8 Engine)4.10 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
**AWD TrailBlazer SS
(6.0 L V8 Engine)4.10 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
**TrailBlazer SS models with the 6.0L engine require Performance Sport Package (B4U).
Ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 7-6for more information.
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