
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Colorado Owner ManualM
Service and Maintenance. . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-16
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem, and
COLORADO are trademarks
and/or service marks of General
Motors LLC, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, or licensors.This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase
or due to changes subsequent to
the printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name
“General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de
langue française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20901233 A First Printing©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning orCaution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
1-16 In Brief
Setting the Clock
To set the time and date for the
radio with CD (MP3/WMA):
Press and hold the HR button until
the correct hour displays. Press and
hold the MN button until the correct
minute displays. The time can be
set with the ignition on or off.
To synchronize the time with an
FM station broadcasting Radio Data
System (RDS) information, press
and hold the HR and MN buttons
at the same time until RDS TIME
displays. To accept this time, press
and hold the HR and MN buttons,
at the same time, for another
two seconds. If the time is not
available from the station, NO
UPDAT (update) displays.
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.For detailed instructions on setting
the clock for your specific audio
system, see
Clock on page 5‑4.
Satellite Radio
XM is a satellite radio service
based in the 48 contiguous United
States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM satellite radio has a wide
variety of programming and
commercial-free music, coast to
coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A fee is required to receive the
XM service.
For more information, refer to:
.www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.)
.www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada)
See Satellite Radio on page 7‑11.
Cruise Control
The cruise controls are located at
the end of the multifunction lever.
9:Turns the system off.
R:Turns the system on.
+ (Resume/Accelerate): Use to
make the vehicle accelerate or
resume a previously set speed.
r T(Set): Press the button
at the end of the lever to set the
speed.
For more information, see Cruise
Control on page 9‑46.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-19
3. Once the alternating OIL LIFEand RESET messages appear,
press and hold the stem until
several beeps sound. This
confirms that the oil life system
has been reset.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-243-8872
TTY Users (U.S.): 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program. See
Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑7
or Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9 for more
information.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
(U.S. and Canada)
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the
Qbutton
and the current GPS location will
be sent to an OnStar advisor who
will assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.
Online Owner Center (U.S. and
Canada)
The Online Owner Center is
a complimentary service that
includes online service reminders,
vehicle maintenance tips, online
owner manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.chevyownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
1-20 In Brief
OnStar®
For vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar uses several
innovative technologies and live
Advisors to provide a wide range
of safety, security, navigation,
diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built‐in sensors
automatically alert an OnStar
Advisor who is immediately
connected to the vehicle to see if
you need help.
How OnStar Service Works
Q:Push this blue button to
connect to a specially trained
OnStar Advisor to verify your
account information and to answer
questions.
]: Push this red emergency
button to get priority help from
specially trained OnStar Emergency
Advisors.
X: Push this button for hands‐free,
voice‐activated calling and to give
voice commands for Hands‐Free
Calling and Turn‐by‐Turn
Navigation.
Automatic Crash Response,
Emergency Services, Crisis Assist,
Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock,
Roadside Assistance, Turn‐by‐Turn
Navigation, and Hands‐Free Calling
are available on most vehicles. Not
all OnStar services are available on all vehicles. For more information,
see the OnStar Owner's Guide;
visit www.onstar.com (U.S.) or
www.onstar.ca (Canada); contact
OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1‐888‐466‐7827) or TTY
1‐877‐248‐2080; or push
Qto
speak with an OnStar Advisor
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations, see
the OnStar Owner's Guide in the
glove box.
OnStar service is subject to the
OnStar Terms and Conditions
included in the OnStar Glove
Box Kit.
OnStar service requires wireless
communication networks and the
Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellite network. Not all OnStar
services are available everywhere
or on all vehicles at all times.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-21
OnStar service cannot work unless
your vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area, and the wireless
service provider has coverage,
network capacity, reception, and
technology compatible with OnStar's
service. Service involving location
information about your vehicle
cannot work unless GPS signals
are available, unobstructed, and
compatible with the OnStar
hardware. The vehicle must have
a working electrical system and
adequate battery power for the
OnStar equipment to operate.
OnStar service may not work if the
OnStar equipment is not properly
installed or you have not maintained
it even if your vehicle is in goodworking order and in compliance
with all government regulations.
If you try to add, connect, or modify
any equipment or software in your
vehicle, OnStar service may not
work. Other problems beyond
OnStar's control may prevent
service to you, such as hills, tall
buildings, tunnels, weather,
electrical system design and
architecture of your vehicle, damage
to important parts of your vehicle in
a crash, or wireless phone network
congestion or jamming.
See
Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑21 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio
if the OnStar Advisor cannot be
heard.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system may
not be functioning properly.
Push
Qand request a vehicle
diagnostic. If the light appears clear
(no light appears), your OnStar
subscription has expired and all
services have been deactivated.
Push
Qto confirm that the OnStar
equipment is active.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-3
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See“Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
Vehicles with Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE), transmitter functions
work up to 9 m (30 ft) away from the
vehicle.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑2.
UNLOCK: Press to unlock the
driver door and turn on the interior
lamps. The parking lamps may flash
and the horn may sound.
Press UNLOCK again within
three seconds and all of the doors
unlock.
LOCK: Press to lock all the doors.
The parking lamps may flash and
the horn may sound. If a door is open or ajar when
LOCK is pressed, the horn sounds
several times to let you know the
doors did not lock and the content
theft‐deterrent system is not
armed. Pressing LOCK again
while the horn is sounding or within
three seconds after the horn stops
sounding, the doors lock but the
content theft‐deterrent system does
not arm until the opened door is
closed.
Different feedback modes can be
programmed through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
“Remote Keyless Entry Feedback”
under
Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑19.
L(Panic): Press to make the
horn sound and the headlamps and
taillamps flash for up to 30 seconds.
To turn them off wait for 30 seconds,
or press
Lagain, or start the
vehicle.