2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO ECU

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
9-54 Driving and Operating
Driving with a Trailer
{WARNING
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear
of the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing
a trailer:
.Have the exhaust system
inspected for leaks and make
necessary repairs before
starting a trip.
.Never drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
Carbon Monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑30.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the
open road. Get acquainted with the
feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And
always keep in mind that the vehicle
you are driving is now longer and
not as responsive as the vehicle is
by itself. Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
While towing a trailer or when
exposed to long periods of
sunshine, the floor of the truck bed
may become very warm. Avoid
putting items in the truck bed that
might be affected by high ambient
temperatures.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-61
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑4
or Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑5 for more
information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑16
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the
total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum of 226 kg (500 lbs) with a
weight carrying hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings
—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the vehicle and trailer.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-22 Vehicle Care
6. Start the engine and let it rununtil the upper radiator hose can
be felt getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck
might be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX‐COOL coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
8. Replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out
of the filler neck, reinstall the
pressure cap.
Notice:
If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has a coolant
temperature gauge displayed on
the instrument panel to warn if the
engine is overheating. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5‑9. If the engine is too hot,
the air conditioning might stop
working. This is normal and helps
cool the engine.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when the warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑7
or Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9. If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
The engine cooling fan speed
should increase when idle speed is
doubled by pushing the accelerator
pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice:
Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, the vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-36 Vehicle Care
3. Turn the bulb socketcounterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly
and pull it straight out.
4. Unplug the electrical connector from the old bulb by releasing
the clips on the bulb socket.
5. Pull the old bulb straight out.
6. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks to secure it.
7. Plug in the electrical connector to the new bulb socket.
8. Push the bulb socket straight in and turn it clockwise to secure it
in the headlamp assembly.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp
B. Turn Signal/Taillamp
C. Back‐up Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the tailgate. See Tailgate
on page 2‑7.
2. Remove the two rear lamp assembly screws near the
tailgate latch.
3. Pull the lamp assembly away from the vehicle.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the taillamp assembly.
5. Holding the socket, pull the old bulb straight out to release it
from the socket.
6. Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it clicks.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-37
7. Insert the bulb socket into thetaillamp assembly and turn it
clockwise to secure.
8. Reinstall the taillamp assembly and tighten the screws.
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
To replace the CHMSL bulb:
1. Remove the two screws and liftoff the lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2. Turn the bulb socketcounterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
3. Holding the socket, pull the bulb to release it from the socket. 4. Push the new bulb into the
socket until it clicks.
5. Insert the bulb socket into the lamp assembly and turn it
clockwise to secure.
6. Reinstall the lamp assembly and tighten the screws.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Reach under the rear bumper forthe bulb socket.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb socket out of the connector.
3. Pull the old bulb straight out from the bulb socket. 4. Push the new bulb straight in
until it clicks to secure it.
5. Reach under the rear bumper to reinstall the bulb socket into the
connector.
6. Turn the bulb socket clockwise to secure it to the connector.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb
Number
Cargo Lamp
and Center
High‐Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) 912LL
License Plate Bulb W5W LL
Headlamps High-beam 9005
Low-beam/
Daytime
Running
Lamp (DRL) 9006

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire
size other than P215/70R16,
P235/75R16, P265/70R17, P235/
50R18, or P265/65R18 use tire
chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use chains that
are the proper size for your tires.
Install them on the tires of the
rear axle. Do not use chains on
the tires of the front axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with
the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage your vehicle.If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
as used in a skid. Stop pressing
the accelerator pedal and steer to straighten the vehicle. It may
be very bumpy and noisy. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.

Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-74 Vehicle Care
Rear Position
If the flat tire is on the rear,
position the jack under the
rear axle and get as close as
possible to the shock absorber.
5. Make sure the jack head is positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between
the grooves that are on the
jack head. 6. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the spare tire to fit
under the wheel well.
7. Remove all the wheel nuts andthe flat tire.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-78 Vehicle Care
4. Insert the chiseled end of thejack handle at a slight angle
through the hole in the
rear bumper and into the
funnel-shaped guide.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the tire part
way up. Make sure the retainer
is seated in the wheel opening
and the valve stem is
pointed down. Continue raising the tire, watch
to make sure it does not get
caught on anything on the
underbody. If the tire does get
caught, loosen two or three turns
and push and pull the tire and
then retighten.
Repeat this procedure as many
times as needed to ensure
proper stowage.
6. When the tire is properly seated to the underbody, continue
turning the wheel wrench
clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You
cannot overtighten the cable.7. Make sure the tire is storedsecurely. Push, pull (A), and
then try to turn (B) the tire. If the
tire moves, check to make sure
the tire valve stem is pointing
down, then use the wheel
wrench to loosen and then
tighten the cable.