2010 CHEVROLET TAHOE four wheel drive

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.
{WARNING:
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 3‑50.
{WARNING:
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 firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
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).
{WARNING:
If the vehicle has a four-wheel drive transfer
case with a N (Neutral) position, and the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle may roll, even
if the automatic transmission shift lever is in
P (Park). So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear—not in N (Neutral). Always set the
parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See Shifting Into Park on page 3‑47.
If pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑47.
3-51

REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate
and liftglass. Restart the vehicle and check for the
message on the DIC display.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your
vehicle. See“Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle”
under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 3‑4andDIC Operation and Displays (With
DIC Buttons)on page 4‑47or DIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons)on page 4‑55for more
information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter battery is low. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery
Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 3‑4.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger side rear door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the
door again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC.
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
This message displays if a problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Make
sure the key is in the LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then 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
four-wheel-drive system needs service. See your
dealer.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your dealer inspect the system for
problems. See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑32andAirbag Systemon page 2‑83for more information.
4-65

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by
not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: StabiliTrak
®helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. See StabiliTrak®Systemon
page 5‑6. If the StabiliTrak®System is off, then an
acceleration skid is best handled by easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
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: Antilock brakes help avoid only the
braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with four-wheel drive can be used for off-road
driving. Vehicles without four-wheel drive and vehicles
with 20‐inch tire/wheel assemblies should not be driven
off-road except on a level, solid surface.
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 reflexes, 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.
5-11

Off-roading can be great fun but has some definite
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.
Before You Go Off-Roading
.Have all necessary maintenance and service
work done.
.Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels are
where they should be, and that the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is fully inflated.
.Be sure to read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has
them, are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-roading where
you will be driving or check with law enforcement
people in the area.
.Be sure to get the necessary permission if you will
be on private land.
If you think you will need some more ground clearance
at the front of your vehicle, you can remove the front
fascia lower air dam. The air dam is held in place by
two bolts and 10 snaps accessible from underneath the
front fascia.
To remove the air dam: 1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts.
2. With a flat‐blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are disengaged, push forward on the air dam until it
is free.
Notice: Operating your vehicle for extended periods
without the front fascia lower air dam installed can
cause improper air flow to the engine. Always be
sure to replace the front fascia air dam when you
are finished off-road driving.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the air dam rearward to engage the snaps.
2. Install the two outboard bolts.
5-12

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 or, if the vehicle has a
two‐speed automatic transfer case, Four‐Wheel Low.
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, see Towing Your
Vehicle on page 5‑40.
Recovery Hooks
{WARNING:
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.
5-28

Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles and Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles with a Single Speed
Automatic Transfer Case
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles
with a single speed automatic transfer case should
not be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions for
internal lubrication while being towed. Four-wheel drive
vehicles with a single speed automatic transfer case
have no neutral position and will spin the transmission
when the rear wheels turn.
5-41

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a
Two Speed Automatic Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to dinghy tow a four-wheel
drive vehicle with a two speed automatic transfer case:1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle and shift the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake.
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
{WARNING:
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 firmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting
into Neutral” under“Four-Wheel Drive” for the
proper procedure to select the Neutral position for
the vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. 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” for the proper procedure to take the
vehicle out of the Neutral position.
5-42

Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off the
Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles and Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles with a Single Speed
Automatic Transfer Case
Notice:If a two-wheel drive vehicle or a four-wheel
drive vehicle with a single speed automatic transfer
case 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.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles
with a single speed automatic transfer case should
not be towed with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions for
internal lubrication while being towed. Four-wheel drive
vehicles with a single speed automatic transfer case
have no neutral position and will spin the transmission
when the rear wheels turn.
To dolly tow a two‐wheel‐drive vehicle or a four-wheel
drive vehicle with a single speed automatic transfer
case, the vehicle must be towed with the rear wheels
on the dolly. See
“Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)” later in this section for more information.
5-43