2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO suspension

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-11
While the exhaust pipe is under
water, you will not be able to start
the engine. When going through
water, the brakes get wet, and it
might take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads on page 9‑11.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
or chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a fire
hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance
service is required. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3for more information.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in
a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-21
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change
your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your
vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.
If you put things inside your
vehicle —like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else —they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to. There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual.
See
“Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving”
under
Off-Road Driving on page 9‑6.
Remember not to exceed
the Gross Axle Weight
rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.
Two-Tiered Loading
For vehicles with a six foot bed,
an upper load platform can be
created by positioning four 5 cm
(2 inches) by 15 cm (6 inches)
wooden planks across the width
of the pickup box. The planks
must be inserted in the pickup
box depressions.
When using this upper load
platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it
from shifting. The load's center
of gravity should be positioned
in a zone over the rear axle.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-59
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2WD Regular Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 542 kg (3,400 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.731 089 kg (2,400 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.731 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
2WD Extended Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 452 kg (3,200 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73998 kg (2,200 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
3.732 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension 3.42
1 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
2WD Crew Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 361 kg (3,000 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73953 kg (2,100 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
3.732 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
9-60 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension 3.42
1 724 kg (3,800 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
4WD Regular Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 406 kg (3,100 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73953 kg (2,100 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.731 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 4 082 kg (9,000 lbs)
4WD Extended Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 315 kg (2,900 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73861 kg (1,900 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 445 kg (9,800 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
4.102 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
4WD Crew Cab 3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 445 kg (9,800 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
4.10
2 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-66 Vehicle Care
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
If your vehicle has P215/70R16,
P235/75R16, P265/70R17,
P235/50R18, or P265/65R18 size
tires, do not use tire chains.
They can damage your vehicle
because there is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount
of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause you to lose control of your
vehicle and you or others may be
injured in a crash.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle. Do not
spin the vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.

Black plate (97,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-97
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts
or signs of wear. Inspect power
steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Visually check constant
velocity joints, rubber boots, and
axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody carwashing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils. Note
that newspapers or dark garments
that can transfer color to home
furnishings can also permanently
transfer color to the vehicle's
interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on
the instrument cluster. Using a mild
soap solution, immediately remove
hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellant from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Visually inspect windshield
wiper blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. SeeExterior
Care on page 10‑94. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑33.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑52.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑59.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑17.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑94.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑18.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑94.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑31.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑32.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑32.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑32.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices as
long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.
The Owner Manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
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shipping fees.
Without Portfolio: Owner
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shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
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and past model GM vehicles.
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