
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
Driving and Operating 223
{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
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. Watercan build up under the vehicle'stires so they actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road iswet enough and you are going fastenough. When the vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or nocontact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule abouthydroplaning. The best advice is toslow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wetweather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wipingequipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluidreservoir filled.
.Have good tires with propertread depth. SeeTires0316.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or throughmountains is different than drivingon flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and ingood shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,tires, cooling system, andtransmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when goingdown steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
224 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep thevehicle in its own lane. Do notswing wide or cross thecenter line.
.Be alert on top of hills;something could be in your lane(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special roadsigns (e.g., falling rocks area,winding roads, long grades,passing or no-passing zones)and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires andthe road creates less traction orgrip, so drive carefully. Wet ice canoccur at about 0 °C (32 °F) whenfreezing rain begins to fall. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rainuntil roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Acceleratingtoo quickly causes the wheels tospin and makes the surfaceunder the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i cStability Control0256.
.The Antilock Brake System(ABS) improves vehicle stabilityduring hard stops, but thebrakes should be applied soonerthan when on dry pavement.SeeAntilock Brake System(ABS)0254.
.Allow greater following distanceand watch for slippery spots. Icypatches can occur on otherwiseclear roads in shaded areas.The surface of a curve or anoverpass can remain icy whenthe surrounding roads are clear.Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking whileon ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place andsignal for help. Stay with the vehicleunless there is help nearby.If possible, use RoadsideAssistance. SeeRoadsideAssistance Program0387.Togethelp and keep everyone in thevehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warningflashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outsidemirror.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
Driving and Operating 245
Gear before shifting from D(Drive) to M (Manual Mode)6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st
Range after shifting from D(Drive) to M (Manual Mode)M4 M4 M3 M2 M2 M1
Grade Braking is not available whenRange Selection Mode is active.SeeTo w / H a u l M o d e0245.
While using Range Selection Mode,cruise control and the Tow/HaulMode can be used.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode assists invehicle acceleration when roadconditions are slippery, such as withice or snow. While the vehicle is at astop, select M2 using RangeSelection Mode. This will limittorque to the wheels and help toprevent the tires from spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
If equipped, Tow/Haul Mode adjuststhe transmission shift pattern toreduce shift cycling. This providesincreased performance, vehiclecontrol, and transmission coolingwhen driving down steep hills ormountain grades, towing, or haulingheavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and offby pressing the button on the centerstack. When the Tow/Haul Mode isenabled, a light on the instrumentcluster will come on.
SeeTo w / H a u l M o d e L i g h t0121andHill and Mountain Roads0223.
Also see“To w / H a u l M o d e”underTo w i n g E q u i p m e n t0275.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,the Tow/Haul button activates theexhaust brake systemsimultaneously. See“ExhaustBrake”in the Duramax dieselsupplement.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
256 Driving and Operating
HSA holds the braking pressure foramaximumoftwosecondstoensure that there is no rolling. Thebrakes will automatically releasewhen the accelerator pedal isapplied within the two-secondwindow. It will not activate if thevehicle is in a drive gear and facingdownhill, or if the vehicle is facinguphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction ControlSystem (TCS) and StabiliTrak®,anelectronic stability control system.These systems help limit wheel slipand assist the driver in maintainingcontrol, especially on slippery roadconditions.
TCS activates if it senses that anyof the drive wheels are spinning orbeginning to lose traction. When thishappens, TCS applies the brakes tothe spinning wheels and reducesengine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when thevehicle senses a difference betweenthe intended path and the directionthe vehicle is actually traveling.StabiliTrak selectively appliesbraking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist thedriver in keeping the vehicle on theintended path.
If cruise control is being used andtraction control or StabiliTrak beginsto limit wheel spin, cruise control willdisengage. Cruise control may beturned back on when roadconditions allow.
Both systems come onautomatically when the vehicle isstarted and begins to move. Thesystems may be heard or felt whilethey are operating or whileperforming diagnostic checks. Thisis normal and does not mean thereis a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave bothsystems on for normal drivingconditions, but it may be necessaryto turn TCS off if the vehicle getsstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck0225and“Turning the Systems Off andOn”later in this section.
When the transfer case (if equipped)is in Four-Wheel Drive Low, thestability system is automatically
disabled, andgcomes on in the

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
258 Driving and Operating
StabiliTrak will automatically turn onif the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h(35 mph). Traction control will
remain off until the driver pressesg
or the ignition is cycled Off then On.
Adding accessories can affect thevehicle performance. SeeAccessories andModifications0281.
Hill Descent
Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used whendriving downhill. It sets andmaintains vehicle speed whiledescending a very steep incline in aforward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the centerstack, below the climate controls.
Press5to enable or disable HDC.
Vehicle speed must be below60 km/h (37 mph).
The HDC light displays on theinstrument cluster when enabled.
HDC can maintain vehicle speedsbetween 4 and 30 km/h (3 and19 mph) on an incline greater thanor equal to a 10% grade. A blinkingHDC light indicates that the systemis actively applying the brakes tomaintain vehicle speed.
When HDC is set, that is the initialset speed. It can be increased ordecreased by applying theaccelerator or brake pedal. SmallerHDC speed control adjustments areaccomplished using the cruise up ordown buttons. Each tap of the+RES will increase the set speed by0.8 km/h (0.5 mph), while each tapof the SET–will decrease the setspeed by 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph). Thisadjusted speed becomes the newset speed.
HDC will remain enabled between30 and 60 km/h (19 and 37 mph),however vehicle speed cannot beset or maintained in this range.It will automatically disable if thevehicle speed is above 80 km/h(50 mph) or above 60 km/h
(37 mph) for at least 30 seconds.5
must be pressed again tore-enable HDC.
When enabled, if the vehicle is at aspeed above 30 km/h (19 mph) andless than 60 km/h (37 mph), a DICmessage will display instructing thedriver to reduce speed for HDCoperation.
Cruise control will not function whileHDC is enabled and vehicle speedis below 40 km/h (25 mph).

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
Driving and Operating 259
Cruise Control
With cruise control a speed of about40 km/h (25 mph) or more can bemaintained without keeping yourfoot on the accelerator. Cruisecontrol does not work at speedsbelow about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
asteadyspeed.Donotuse
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If equipped with a manualtransmission, the cruise control willremain active when the gears areshifted. The cruise is deactivated ifthe clutch is pressed for severalseconds. If the cruise control is
being used and the Traction Control(TCS) system or StabiliTrak beginsto limit wheel spin, the cruise controlwill automatically disengage. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i c S t a b i l i t yControl0256.Ifacollisionalertoccurs when cruise control isactivated, cruise control isdisengaged. SeeForward CollisionAlert (FCA) System0263.Whenroad conditions allow you to safelyuse it again, cruise control can beturned back on.
If the brakes are applied, the cruisecontrol disengages.
5:Press to turn the system on oroff. A white indicator comes on inthe instrument cluster when cruisecontrol is turned on.
+RES :If there is a set speed inmemory, press briefly to resume tothat speed or press and hold toaccelerate. If cruise control isalready active, use to increasevehicle speed.
SET✓:Press briefly to set thespeed and activate cruise control.If cruise control is already active,use to decrease vehicle speed.
*:Press to disengage cruisecontrol without erasing the setspeed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If5is on when not in use, SET✓or
+RES could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep5
off when cruise is not being used.
1. Press5to turn the cruise
system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET✓.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
260 Driving and Operating
4. Remove foot from theaccelerator.
The cruise control indicator on theinstrument cluster turns green aftercruise control has been set to thedesired speed. SeeInstrumentCluster (Base Level)011 0orInstrument Cluster (Uplevel)011 2.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at adesired speed and then the brakes
are applied or*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged withouterasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reachesabout 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,press +RES briefly. The vehiclereturns to the previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Press and hold +RES until thedesired speed is reached, thenrelease it.
.To i n c r e a s e v e h i c l e s p e e d i nsmall increments, briefly press+RES. For each press, thevehicle goes about 1.6 km/h(1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC) (Base Level)0126orDriverInformation Center (DIC) (Uplevel)0129.Theincrementvalueuseddepends on the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Press and hold SET–until thedesired lower speed is reached,then release it.
.To s l o w d o w n i n s m a l lincrements, briefly press SET–.For each press, the vehicle goesabout 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC) (Base Level)0126orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)0129.Theincrementvalueuseddepends on the units displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle WhileUsing Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal toincrease the vehicle speed. Whenyou take your foot off the pedal, thevehicle will slow down to theprevious set cruise speed. Whilepressing the accelerator pedal orshortly following the release tooverride cruise control, brieflypressing SET–will result in cruisecontrol set to the current vehiclespeed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will workon hills depends on the vehiclespeed, load, and the steepness ofthe hills. When going up steep hills,you might have to step on theaccelerator pedal to maintain yourspeed. When going downhill, youmight have to brake or shift to alower gear to keep your speeddown. If the brake pedal is applied,cruise control will disengage.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122675) - 2017 - crc - 8/22/16
Driving and Operating 261
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruisecontrol:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Press the clutch pedal forseveral seconds or shift thetransmission to N (Neutral).
.To t u r n o f f c r u i s e c o n t r o l ,
press5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if5is pressed
or if the ignition is turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object outside of the
cameras’field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Shown distances may be different
from actual distances. Do not
drive or park the vehicle using
only these camera(s). Always
check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to
use proper care may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.
If equipped, the RVC system isdesigned to help the driver whenbacking up by displaying a view ofthe area behind the vehicle. Whenthe key is in ON/RUN and the driver
shifts the vehicle into R (Reverse),the video image automaticallyappears on the infotainment screen.The infotainment screen goes to theprevious screen after approximatelyfour seconds once the vehicle isshifted out of R (Reverse).
To s e e t h e p r e v i o u s s c r e e n s o o n e r,do one of the following:
.Press a hard key on theinfotainment system.
.Shift into P (Park).
The RVC will not work properly ifthe tailgate is down. If the tailgate isdown, do not use this system.
Guidelines
The RVC system may have aguideline overlay that can help thedriver align the vehicle whenbacking into a parking spot.
To t u r n t h e g u i d e l i n e s o n o r o f f :
1. Shift into P (Park).
2. Press SETTINGS on the homescreen of the infotainmentsystem.
3. Select Rear Camera.