
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
Here is how to avoid setting off the
alarm by accident:
.If you do not want to activate the
theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle should be locked with
the door key after the doors are
closed.
.Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter. Unlocking a
door any other way will set off
the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident,
you can turn off the alarm by
pressing UNLOCK on the RKE
transmitter. The alarm will not stop if
you try to unlock a door any
other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by locking the doors
with the RKE transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door.
This should set off the alarm. 3. To turn the alarm off, press the
UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter or start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should but the lights flash, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse
may be blown. To replace the fuse,
see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑40.
If the alarm does not sound or the
front turn signal lamps do not flash,
see your dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑17 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(PASS-Key III+
Canada Only)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned to
ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light comes on if there
is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. If the key is ever
damaged, the vehicle may not start.
When trying to start the vehicle,
if the engine does not start and the
security light comes on, there may

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11
be a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and try
again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. Check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑40. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who
can service the theft-deterrent
system and have a new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent
system decoder to learn the
transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys can
be programmed for the vehicle. The
following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.
Canadian Owners: If the keys are
lost or damaged, only a dealer can
service the theft-deterrent system to
have new ones made. Two current
driver's keys are required to
program additional keys. To program a new key:
1. Verify that the new key has
PK3+ stamped on it.
2. Insert the current driver's key in the ignition and start the engine.
If the engine does not start see
your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key.
4. Insert the second current driver's key in the ignition and start the
engine within ten seconds of
removing the previous key. If the
engine does not start see your
dealer for service.
5. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. Insert the key to
be programmed and turn it to
ON/RUN within ten seconds of
removing the previous key.
The security light turns off once
the key has been programmed. 6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 if
additional keys are to be
programmed.
If the security light comes on and
stays on while driving, the engine
will restart if you turn it off. However,
the theft-deterrent system is not
working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. The vehicle
is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑9.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-3
Rear Seats
On some crew cab models, the
vehicle's rear seats have adjustable
headrests in the outboard seating
positions that can be adjusted the
same way as the front head
restraints.
Rear outboard headrests are not
designed to be removed.Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To adjust the seat:
1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desiredposition and release the bar.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure the seat is
locked in place.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
3-6 Seats and Restraints
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{WARNING
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.If available, the manual recline lever
is on the outboard side of the seat.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked. To return the seatback to the upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-5
RDS time is broadcast once
a minute. After tuning to an RDS
broadcast station, it could take a
few minutes for the time to update.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The vehicle may have an accessory
power outlet located below the
climate control system and on the
rear of the center console. Remove
the cover to access and replace
when not in use.
{WARNING
Power is always supplied to the
outlets. Do not leave electrical
equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the
vehicle could catch fire and cause
injury or death.Notice:
Leaving electrical
equipment plugged in for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is off will drain the
battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain electrical accessories may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and could
overload vehicle and adapter fuses.
If a problem is experienced, see
your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included with
the equipment. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment on page 9‑66. Notice:
Hanging heavy
equipment from the power outlet
can cause damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. The
power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such
as cell phone charge cords.
Cigarette Lighter
To use the lighter, press it in all the
way, and let go. When it is ready, it
will pop back out by itself.
Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter
in while it is heating does not let
the lighter back away from the
heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can
occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette
lighter in while it is heating.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
6-4 Lighting
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is complete.
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released.If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
For bulb replacement, see
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps on page 10‑37.
For a blown fuse or circuit breaker,
see
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑40.
Turn Signal On Chime
If a turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (3/4 of a mile), a chime
will sound at each flash of the turn
signal and the message TURN
SIGNAL will also appear in the DIC.
To turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position.
See “TURN SIGNAL” underLamp
Messages on page 5‑25 for more
information.
Fog Lamps
The fog lamp button is located near
the exterior lamps control.
#: For vehicles with fog lamps,
press to turn the fog lamps on or off.
An indicator light will turn on in the
button when the fog lamps are on.
The parking lamps or low‐beam
headlamps must be on for the fog
lamps to work. The fog lamps will go
off whenever the high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high
beams go off, the fog lamps come
on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.
Exterior Cargo Lamps
The cargo lamps (if equipped) can
be used if more light is needed in
the cargo area of the vehicle or in
the top-box storage units.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
You will find other important
information underVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑20 andTires on
page 10‑46.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide
wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also raises
environmental concerns. We
recognize these concerns and urge
every off-roader to follow these
basic rules for protecting the
environment:
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and
obey all posted regulations.
.Avoid any driving practice that
could damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over soft
ground.
.Always carry a litter bag and
make sure all refuse is removed
from any campsite before
leaving.
.Take extreme care with open
fires (where permitted), camp
stoves, and lanterns.
.Never park your vehicle over dry
grass or other combustible
materials that could catch fire
from the heat of the vehicle's
exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip,
especially when going to a remote
area. Know the terrain and plan
your route. Get accurate maps of
trails and terrain. Check to see if
there are any blocked or closed
roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with
at least one other vehicle in case
something happens to one of them. For vehicles with a winch, be sure to
read the winch instructions. In a
remote area, a winch can be handy
if you get stuck but you will want to
know how to use it properly.
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.