2009 HUMMER H3 change time

Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping
distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.Off-Road Driving
The airbag system is designed to
work properly under a wide range
of conditions, including off-road
usage. Always wear your safety belt
and observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very
dangerous on any road and this is
certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your
reexes, perceptions, and judgment
can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could
have a serious — or even
fatal — accident if you drink and
drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking.Off-roading can be great fun
but has some denite hazards. The
greatest of these is the terrain
itself. When off-road driving, traffic
lanes are not marked, curves are not
banked, and there are no road
signs. Surfaces can be slippery,
rough, uphill, or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers. Failure to operate the
vehicle correctly off-road could result
in loss of vehicle control or vehicle
rollover.
Off-roading involves some new
skills. That is why it is very important
that you read these driving tips
and suggestions to help make
off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-13

For mounds, washouts, loose
up-hill slopes, ditches, etc.
When wheel spin occurs as the
vehicle is moving, the driver may
notice a slight shaking or shuddering
of the vehicle. This should be
stopped as soon as possible to
prevent damage to vehicle
components. This is the indication
that a loss of traction is occurring on
this terrain. The operator should:
1. Reduce speed and apply
the brakes.
2. Assess the terrain properly and
adjust vehicle speed and gear
ranges accordingly: Four-Wheel
High position for higher speeds
and Four-Wheel-Low Lock
for more torque and lower
speeds. Transmission 1 (First)
gear is generally recommended.3. Apply slight pressure to the
brake when the shaking or
shuddering sensation is felt,
keeping the vehicle moving in a
controlled manner.
4. Be prepared to alternate between
braking and accelerating through
the adverse terrain.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road
Driving
It is a good idea to practice in an
area that is safe and close to home
before you go into the wilderness.
Off-roading requires some new
and different skills.
Tune your senses to different
kinds of signals. Your eyes need
to constantly sweep the terrain
for unexpected obstacles. Your ears
need to listen for unusual tire or
engine sounds. Use your arms,
hands, feet, and body to respond to
vibrations and vehicle bounce.Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control the
vehicle is to control the speed.
At higher speeds:
You approach things faster and
have less time to react.
There is less time to scan the
terrain for obstacles.
The vehicle has more bounce
when driving over obstacles.
More braking distance is needed,
especially on an unpaved surface.
{CAUTION
When you are driving off-road,
bouncing and quick changes in
direction can easily throw you
out of position. This could cause
you to lose control and crash.
So, whether you are driving
on or off the road, you and
your passengers should wear
safety belts.
4-18 Driving Your Vehicle

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.
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.
4-42 Driving Your Vehicle

GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the
vehicle. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute
(API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum
Institute Certied For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure
to use the recommended oil
can result in engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below−20°F
(−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30
engine oil. Both provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. Always use
an oil that meets the required
specication, GM6094M. See “What
Kind of Engine Oil to Use” for
more information.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all that
is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change
is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.
Service and Appearance Care 5-15

When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE OIL
message comes on. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might
not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained people who will perform this
work using genuine parts and reset
the system. It is also important
to check the oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs where the oil is
changed prior to a CHANGE OIL
message being turned on, reset the
system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life system:
1. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN.
2. Press and release the stem in
the lower center of the
instrument cluster until the OIL
LIFE message is displayed.
3. Once the alternating OIL LIFE
and RESET messages appear,
press and hold the stem until
several beeps sound. This
conrms that the oil life system
has been reset.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.If the CHANGE OIL message
comes back on when the vehicle is
started, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-37.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
5-16 Service and Appearance Care

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission uid level is when
the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6, and
be sure to use the transmission
uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, you may choose
to have this done at the
dealer/retailer service department.
If adding it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or there
could be a false reading on the
dipstick.Notice:Too much or too little
uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check
your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission uid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are
above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially
in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 15 miles (24 km) when
outside temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If it is colder than
50°F (10°C), drive the vehicle
in 3 (Third) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold uid check can be made after
the vehicle has been sitting for
eight hours or more with the engine
off, but this is used only as a
reference. Let the engine run at
idle for ve minutes if outside
temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or
more. If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
the engine might have to idle
longer. Should the uid level
be low during this cold check,
check the uid hot before adding
uid. Checking the uid hot gives
a more accurate reading of the
uid level.
5-18 Service and Appearance Care

It does not take much uid,
generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered
by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission
uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
After adding uid, recheck the
uid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier
in this section.
When the correct uid level is
obtained, push the dipstick
back in all the way; then ip
the handle down to lock
the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual
transmission uid is when the
engine oil is changed. However,
the uid in the manual transmission
does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, you may choose
to have this done at your GM
dealer/retailer service department.
If doing it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or there
could be a false reading.Notice:Too much or too little
uid can damage your
transmission. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check
your transmission uid.
To check the uid:
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface, then shut the engine off.
Let the vehicle sit until the
transmission case is cool enough
to touch.
2. Remove the ller plug.
5-20 Service and Appearance Care

When parts of the braking system
are replaced — for example,
when the brake linings wear down
and new ones are installed — be
sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not
done, the brakes might not work
properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are
wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes
can change — for the worse.
The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways
if the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed.Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. When it is time for a new
battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-34for tips
on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove
the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery or use a battery
trickle charger. This helps maintain
the charge of the battery over
an extended period of time.
Service and Appearance Care 5-33