2009 HUMMER H2 suspension

SERVICE BRAKES SOON
This message displays if there is a problem with the
brake system. If this message appears, stop as soon
as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the DIC display. If the
message is still displayed or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays when there may be a problem
with the StabiliTrak®system. If you see this message, try
to reset the system. Stop; turn off the engine for at least
15 seconds; then start the engine again. If this message
still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your dealer/retailer for service. The vehicle is safe to
drive, however, you do not have the benet of StabiliTrak,
so reduce your speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
On some models, this message displays if a problem
occurs with the suspension system. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off
the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the
message on the DIC display. If the message is still
displayed, or appears again when you begin driving,
there is a problem with the air suspension system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with
the theft-deterrent system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer before turning off the engine. See
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation
on page 2-26for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this message displays if a part
on the TPMS is not working properly. The tire pressure
light also ashes and then remains on during the same
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-39.
Several conditions may cause this message to appear.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-66for
more information. If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. See your
dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a problem with
the Traction Control System (TCS). When this message
displays, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly. See your dealer/retailer
for service. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-9andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for
more information.
3-61

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
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-13
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-15
Assist Steps.................................................4-33
Driving at Night............................................4-33
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-34
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-35Highway Hypnosis........................................4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-36
Winter Driving..............................................4-37
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-39
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-40
Recovery Loops...........................................4-40
First Aid Kit and Tool Kit...............................4-42
Front Mounted Receiver.................................4-43
Power Winch Platform...................................4-43
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-44
Towing..........................................................4-50
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-50
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-50
Selectable Extended Rear Ride Height.............4-52
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System....................................................4-53
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-55
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-68
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Driving Uphill
Once you decide it is safe to drive up the hill:
Use transmission and transfer case low gear and
get a rm grip on the steering wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
speed. Not using more power than needed can
avoid spinning the wheels or sliding.
Let the traction system work to control any wheel
slippage. The traction control system allows for
moderate wheel spin with some capability to dig in
and power up the hill.
Do not continue if the vehicle shudders or exhibits
suspension hopping. This can cause damage to
the driveline or suspension components. Improper
driving technique is not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up hills,
always try to go straight up.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
Ease up on the speed as you approach the top of
the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to be more visible to
approaching traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill
to let opposing traffic know you are there.
Use headlamps even during the day to make the
vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic.
4-26

Driving in Water
{CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it is
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding, and ood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving through
it. Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe — you probably will not
get through. Deep water can damage the axle and
other vehicle parts. The vehicle is capable of depths up to
20 inches (50 cm). Know how to judge whether the water
is deeper than this before proceeding into it.If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system and
the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get
the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is under
water, you will never be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that when the brakes
get wet, it might take longer to stop. SeeDriving in Rain
and on Wet Roads on page 4-34.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the engine and oil
coolers for mud accumulation. Thoroughly and carefully
clean these devices to allow proper cooling. Check
the body structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires,
and exhaust system for damage and check the fuel
lines and cooling system for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
4-32

Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load
your vehicle the right way.
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 will 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.There is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving” underOff-Road
Driving on page 4-15.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need
to put a limit on how many people you can
carry inside your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your
vehicle before you buy and install the new
equipment.
Notice
:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It does not
include the weight of the people inside. But you can
gure about 150 lbs (68 kg) for each seat.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle’s CWR.
4-49

Dolly Towing
The vehicle cannot be dolly towed. If the vehicle must
be towed behind another vehicle, use the dinghy towing
procedure explained previously.
Notice:Dolly towing the vehicle will damage
drivetrain components. Do not dolly tow the vehicle.
Selectable Extended Rear Ride
Height
If the vehicle has this feature it comes as part of the
electronically controlled air suspension system.
The selectable rear ride height allows the rear of the
vehicle to be raised about 2 inches (5 cm) over the
normal ride height. This can be helpful when driving
off-road where more ground clearance may be needed
to clear an obstacle.
The button that controls
this feature is located on
the instrument panel to the
right of the steering wheel.
4-52

To use this feature, ensure that the following conditions
are met:
The engine must be running.
All doors must be fully closed. The suspension will
not raise or lower if a door is open.
The vehicle speed must be less than 40 mph
(64 km/h). The system will not activate otherwise.
Press the height control button to raise the rear of the
vehicle.
A light in the button will begin to ash as the rear of
the vehicle rises. Once the extended height has been
reached (this may take up to a minute), the warning light
will stop ashing and will stay lit while the vehicle is at the
extended height.
To lower the vehicle to the normal ride height, press the
button again. The light in the button will ash as the
suspension lowers. When the light in the button stops
ashing and goes out, the suspension has reached
the normal ride height.
This feature will lower the vehicle to the normal height if
vehicle speed exceeds 40 mph (64 km/h).
This feature may also be used when ascending,
descending or cresting a steep hill to help prevent the
rear bumper from dragging on the base of the hill
or prevent the vehicle from grounding out (high
centering) on the crest of the hill.
Do not use this feature when towing a trailer.
Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
With this feature, the electronically controlled air
suspension keeps the rear of the vehicle level under all
load conditions. The system maintains the vehicle at the
currently selected ride height. There are two ride heights:
Normal Ride Height and Extended Ride Height. The
Extended Ride Height feature is only available if the
vehicle speed is below 40 mph (64 km/h). If the vehicle is
at Extended Ride Height and the speed exceeds 40 mph
(64 km/h), the system will automatically return the vehicle
to Normal Ride Height.
The activation and
deactivation of the
Extended Ride Height
feature is controlled by
this switch on the
instrument panel.
4-53

The system includes a compressor, two height sensors
and two air springs supporting the vehicle.
The system is activated when the engine is started
and deactivated when the ignition is returned to OFF.
The engine must be running for the rear of the vehicle to
be raised and the doors must be closed to enable a
transition between Normal Ride Height and Extended
Ride Height.
The compressor may be heard while the system is
active and the release of air similar to a hissing sound
may also be heard. This is normal.
Load leveling will not function normally with the inater
hose attached to the inator outlet. Remove the
hose from the outlet when it is not in use. See
Accessory Inflator on page 5-78.Overload and Overheat Protection
Overload protection is designed to protect the air
suspension system and is an indication to the driver that
the vehicle is overloaded.
If the rear 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. The system may reactivate without cycling
the ignition if some of the excess load is removed.
If the total rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) is
reached, the suspension may be slightly less than level.
This is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with the air suspension.
In some instances the compressor may stop working
due to being overheated. This is normal. In the instance
of an abnormal overheat condition though the
compressor will stop working and the SERVICE
SUSPENSION SYSTEM will be displayed on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
more information.
4-54