
Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-78 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
12. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
When you reinstall the regular
wheel and tire, you must also
reinstall the center cap. Place the
cap on the wheel and tap it into
place until it seats flush with the
wheel. The cap only goes on one
way. Be sure to line up the tab on
the center cap with the indentation
on the wheel.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
Notice: Storing an aluminum
wheel with a flat tire under your
vehicle for an extended period of
time or with the valve stem
pointing up can damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel
with the valve stem pointing
down and have the wheel/tire
repaired as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem pointed down.

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-82 Vehicle Care
Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an
underbody‐mounted tire hoist
assembly that has a secondary
latch system. It is designed to stop
the spare tire from suddenly falling
off your vehicle. For the secondary
latch to work, the spare must be
installed with the valve stem
pointing down. See“Storing a Flat
or Spare Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑71.
{WARNING
Before beginning this procedure
read all the instructions. Failure to
read and follow the instructions
could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get
hurt. Read and follow the
instructions listed next. To release the spare tire from the
secondary latch:1. Check under the vehicle to see if
the cable end fitting is visible.
2. If the cable end fitting is not visible, proceed to Step 6.
If it is visible, first try to tighten
the cable by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise until you hear
two clicks or feel it skip twice.
You cannot overtighten the
cable. 3. Loosen the cable by turning the
wheel wrench counterclockwise
three or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the spare tire
lowers to the ground, continue
with Step 5 under “Storing a Flat
or Spare Tire and Tools” under
Tire Changing on page 10‑71.
5. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until
approximately 6 inches (15 cm)
of cable is exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with the backs
facing each other.

Black plate (84,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-84 Vehicle Care
12. Reinsert the jack handle intothe jack. Lower the jack by
turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Keep
lowering the jack until the
spare tire slides off the jack or
is hanging by the cable.
{WARNING
Someone standing too close
during the procedure could be
injured by the jack. If the spare
tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is
behind you or on either side of
you as you pull the jack out from
under the spare.
13. Disconnect the jack handle from the jack and carefully
remove the jack. Use one hand
to push against the spare while
firmly pulling the jack out from
under the spare tire with the
other hand. If the spare tire is hanging from
the cable, insert the hoist end
of the extension into the hoist
shaft hole in the bumper and
turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare the rest of the way.
14. Tilt the tire retainer at the end
of the cable and pull it through
the wheel opening. Pull the tire
out from under the vehicle.
15. If the cable is hanging under the vehicle, turn the wheel
wrench clockwise to raise the
cable. Have the hoist assembly
inspected as soon as you can.
You will not be able to store a
spare or flat tire using the hoist
assembly until it has been
replaced.
To continue changing the flat tire,
see “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing on page 10‑71.
Compact Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have a compact
spare tire. Although the compact
spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air
over time. Check the inflation
pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
Notice: If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the compact
spare tire is installed on the
vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until you can have the flat
tire repaired and/or replaced. You
could damage the vehicle, and
the repair costs would not be

Black plate (85,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-85
covered by your warranty. Never
use four-wheel drive when the
compact spare tire is installed on
the vehicle.
After installing the compact spare
on your vehicle, you should stop as
soon as possible and make sure
your vehicle's spare tire is correctly
inflated. The compact spare is made
to perform well at speeds up to
62 mph (100 km/h) for distances up
to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy
payloads or towing, and for low
traction or four-wheel-drive
conditions, repair or replace the
full-size tire. Of course, it is best to
replace your vehicle's spare with a
full-size tire as soon as you can.
The spare tire will last longer and be
in good shape in case you need it
again.Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel and other parts of the
vehicle.
Do not use your compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix your compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels or
tires. They will not fit. Keep your
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have a full-size
spare tire, which, when new, was
fully inflated. A spare tire may lose
air over time, so check its inflation
pressure regularly. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑53 and
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑20
for information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading your vehicle.
For instruction on how to remove,
install, or store a spare tire, see
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” and
“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑71.

Black plate (86,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-86 Vehicle Care
Your vehicle may have a different
size spare tire than the road tires
originally installed on your vehicle.
This spare was developed for use
on your vehicle, so it is alright to
drive on it. If your vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed, keep the
vehicle in two-wheel drive.
Notice:If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until you can have your flat
tire repaired and/or replaced. You
could damage the vehicle, and
the repair costs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never
use four-wheel drive when the
different size spare tire is
installed on the vehicle. After installing the spare tire on your
vehicle, you should stop as soon as
possible and make sure the spare is
correctly inflated. The spare tire is
made to perform well at speeds up
to 62 mph (100 km/h) for distances
up to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy
payloads or towing, and for low
traction or four-wheel-drive
conditions, repair or replace the
full-size tire. Have the damaged or
flat road tire repaired or replaced as
soon as you can and installed back
onto your vehicle. This way, the
spare tire will be available in case
you need it again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together.Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see
Battery on
page 10‑30.
If the vehicle battery has run down,
you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
life system whenever the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑12.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter.
Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9 and
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑95. Worn or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See
Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑34.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑53.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑59.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See
Tire Rotation on page 10‑60.
.Fluids visual leak check (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and the
fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑17.
.Brake system inspection (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, and folding seat
hardware lubrication. Lubricate
hood safety lever pivot and prop
rod pivot and tailgate latch bolt,
handle assembly pivot points,
and hinges. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑6. More frequent
lubrication may be required
when the vehicle is exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth makes them
last longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑24.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
11-4 Service and Maintenance
Additional Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should be
rotated every 12 000 km/
7,500 miles. SeeTire Rotation
on page 10‑60.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑53.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑59 and
Tire Rotation on page 10‑60. Once a Year
.See
Starter Switch Check on
page 10‑32.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10‑33.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Underbody flushing service.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑17.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly
or mountainous terrain, when frequently towing a trailer,
or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑13.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks
and proper installation. Check to
be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance,
if a power washer is used to
clean mud and dirt from the
underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer
case output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
13-8 Customer Information
Chevrolet and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an
owner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or the
same type of claim is made many
times.
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock‐Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Chevrolet dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Routing Service: Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. There is a
limit of six requests per year.
Additional travel information
is also available. Allow
three weeks for delivery.