2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO warning

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-82 Vehicle Care
11. Remove the jack handle andinsert the hoist end of the
extension through the hole in
the rear bumper.
Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise one turn or
until the wheel retainer
assembly is disengaged.
12. Reinsert the jack handle into the 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 endof 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. A spare or flat tire can
not be stored using the hoist
assembly until it has been
replaced.

Black plate (84,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-84 Vehicle Care
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 10‑69.
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 a different
size spare tire is installed, do
not drive in four-wheel drive until
the flat tire is repaired and/or
replaced. The vehicle could be
damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by the warranty.
Never use four-wheel drive when
a 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 10‑29.
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 (86,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-86 Vehicle Care
4. Open the hoods and locate thepositive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on the other
vehicle. Your vehicle has a
remote positive (+) and a
remote negative (−) jump
starting terminal. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for more information
on the terminal locations.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Be sure the batteries have
enough water. You do not need
to add water to the ACDelco
®
battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.

Black plate (90,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-90 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
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 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
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle being towed
behind the tow vehicle.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First). 3. Turn the engine off and firmly set
the parking brake. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑41.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
{WARNING
Shifting a full‐time
four‐wheel‐drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral)
can cause the vehicle to
roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or
the manual transmission is in
any gear. You or others could be
injured. Make sure the parking
brake is firmly set before the
transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑29.

Black plate (92,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-92 Vehicle Care
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground)–Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly
tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle from
the front:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly. 3. Put an automatic transmission
in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First).
4. Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑41.
{WARNING
Shifting a full‐time
four‐wheel‐drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral)
can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the automatic transmission
is in P (Park) or the manual
transmission is in any gear. You
or others could be injured. Make
sure the parking brake is firmly
set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions. 6. Shift the transfer case to
N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑29.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
on page 10‑29.
If the vehicle being towed will not be
started or driven for six weeks or
more, remove the battery cable from
the negative terminal (post) of the
battery to prevent the battery from
draining.

Black plate (94,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-94 Vehicle Care
4. Put an automatic transmissionin P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
{WARNING
Shifting a full‐time
four‐wheel‐drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral)
can cause the vehicle to
roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or
the manual transmission is in
any gear. You or others could be
injured. Make sure the parking
brake is firmly set before the
transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral). 7. Shift the transfer case to
N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑29.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. If the vehicle being towed will
not be started or driven for
six weeks or more, remove the
battery cable from the negative
terminal (post) of the battery to
prevent the battery from
draining.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
on page 10‑29.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your
dealer. Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.

Black plate (100,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-100 Vehicle Care
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able
to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
Floor Mats
{WARNING
If a floor mat is the wrong size or
is not properly installed, it can
interfere with the accelerator
pedal and/or brake pedal.
Interference with the pedals can
cause unintended acceleration
and/or increased stopping
distance which can cause a crash
and injury. Make sure the floor
mat does not interfere with the
pedals.Use the following guidelines for
proper floor mat usage.
.The original equipment floor
mats were designed for the
vehicle. If the floor mats need
replacing, it is recommended
that GM certified floor mats be
purchased. Non-GM floor mats
may not fit properly and may
interfere with the accelerator or
brake pedal. Always check that
the floor mats do not interfere
with the pedals.
.Use the floor mat with the
correct side up. Do not turn
it over.
.Do not place anything on top of
the driver side floor mat.
.Use only a single floor mat on
the driver side.
.Do not place one floor mat on
top of another.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
11-2 Service and Maintenance
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs
vary. There may need to be
more frequent checks and
services. The Additional
Required Services‐Normal
are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑16.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑49.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services ‐Normal chart. The Additional Required
Services
‐Severe are for
vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services ‐Severe chart.
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work
can be dangerous and can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.