2010 HUMMER H3 service

Driving and Operating 9-23
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Top of hills: Be alert —
something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.

9-24 Driving and Operating
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.The
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9‑50improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Service
on page 13‑5. To get help
and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued)

9-34 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply the
regular brake pedal.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer. (A) LOCK/OFF:
This position
locks the ignition. It also locks
the transmission on automatic
transmission vehicles. It locks
the steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles. The key can
only be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch
to LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, then the vehicle needs
service.
(B) ACC/ACCESSORY: This is the
position in which you can operate
the electrical accessories or items
plugged into the accessory power
outlets. On automatic transmission
vehicles, this position unlocks the
ignition. On manual transmission
vehicles, it unlocks the ignition and steering wheel. Use this position
if the vehicle must be pushed or
towed.
(C) ON/RUN:
This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning
and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. The transmission
is also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off, the
battery could be drained. You may
not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
(D) START: This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.

Driving and Operating 9-39
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of a
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 10‑86for more information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then 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. While holding down the brake pedal, 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 or a professional towing
service.
Parking
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before you get out of
the vehicle, move the shift lever into
R (Reverse), and firmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever
has been placed into R (Reverse)
with the clutch pedal pressed in,
turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF,
remove the key and release the
clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if
the vehicle is pulling a trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips on page 9‑70.

Driving and Operating 9-47
Notice:Operating the vehicle
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above
48 km/h (30 mph) for any
extended period of time could
cause damage to the transfer
case. Do not operate the vehicle
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above
48 km/h (30 mph) for extended
periods.
4
n Q(Four-Wheel-Low Lock):
This setting delivers extra torque
to all four wheels and is used for
extreme off-road conditions.
If the vehicle has locking axles,
they can be locked for additional
traction in extreme off-road
situations. See Locking Rear Axle
on page 9‑54andLocking Front
Axle on page 9‑55.
Indicator lights in the buttons show
which setting the transfer case is
in. The indicator lights will come
on briefly when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. The If the lights do not
come on, take the vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting the transfer
case. If the transfer case cannot
make a requested shift, it will return
to the last chosen setting.
If the SERV 4WD message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
stays on, take the vehicle to your
dealer for service. See Service 4WD
message under
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑18.
Shifting between Four-Wheel High
and Four-Wheel-High Lock
With the vehicle traveling less than
120 km/h (75 mph), press and
release the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock button.
It may be necessary to drive
backwards while turning for a
distance of 7.5 m (25 feet) to get
the lock feature to disengage.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low Lock
Notice: Shifting the transmission
into gear before the indicator
light stops flashing could cause
damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the indicator
light stops flashing before putting
the transmission back in gear.
To shift into Four-Wheel-Low Lock,
the ignition must be in ON/RUN and
the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in N (Neutral).
The preferred method for shifting
into Four-Wheel Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h
(1 to 2 mph). Press and release
the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, the clutch pedal must
be pressed to the floor while you
press the Four-Wheel-Low Lock
button, or the shift will not be
completed. You must wait for the
Four-Wheel-Low Lock indicator light
to stop flashing and remain lit before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is normal for the vehicle to have
engagement noise and bump when
shifting between Four-Wheel Low
and Four-Wheel High ranges or
from Neutral.

Driving and Operating 9-53
Examples of these conditions
include hard acceleration in a turn,
an abrupt upshift or downshift of the
transmission or driving on rough
roads.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. The cruise control
can be re-engaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control
on page 9‑57for more information.
TRACTION FAILED appears on the
Driver information Center (DIC)
when a TCS or antilock brake
system problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs service.
When this message is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑18for more information.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow, and it is necessary to
“rock”the
vehicle to attempt to free it. See If
the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 9‑26for more information.
To turn the system off, press and
release the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
When TCS has been turned off, this
light comes on steady and TRAC
OFF appears on the DIC. This light
flashes when TCS is active.
Press and release the
TCS/StabiliTrak button again to
turn the system back on. The TRAC
OFF message then goes off. TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started and
resets itself at each ignition cycle.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.
StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists the driver with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any
one of the vehicle's brakes to assist
the driver with keeping the vehicle
on the intended path.

9-54 Driving and Operating
When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to insure there are no problems.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control
on
page 9‑57.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, a SERVICE STAB SYS
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on
page 5‑18for more information.
When this message is displayed,
the system is not working. Adjust
your driving accordingly. StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started and
resets itself at each ignition cycle.
However, when the transfer case is
placed in Four‐Wheel‐Low Lock
mode, StabiliTrak is automatically
disabled. See
Four-Wheel Drive
on
page 9‑46for more information.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow,
and it is necessary to “rock”the
vehicle to attempt to free it. See If
the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 9‑26.
This light comes on steady when
TCS has been turned off. This light
flashes when StabiliTrak is active. To Turn off TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the TCS/StabiliTrak
button until STAB SYS OFF
displays on the DIC. Press and
release the TCS/StabiliTrak button
again to turn StabiliTrak back on.
Locking Rear Axle
For vehicles with this feature,
additional traction can be obtained
from the rear wheels when traveling
in off-road situations such as mud,
snow, sand, steep hills and uneven
terrain.
The button used to turn this
feature on or off is located on the
instrument panel.

9-64 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine.The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. See
Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
on
page 12‑1.
If the vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine
(VIN Code P), you can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
on
page 9‑66. In all other engines, use
only regular unleaded gasoline.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.