
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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194 Driving and Operating
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
6. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transfer Case
Except ZR2
ZR2 Only
For ZR2 locking axle information,
see Locking Rear Axle 0204 and
Locking Front Axle 0205.
For ZR2 Off-Road Mode
information, see Driver Mode
Control 0203.
Use the transfer case shift knob
next to the steering wheel to shift
into and out of four-wheel drive.
All of the lights will flash on then off
momentarily when the ignition is
turned on. The light that remains on
will indicate the state of the
transfer case. If the indicator mark on the knob
does not match up with the light
then that likely means the knob was
moved when the ignition was off.
The indicator mark on the knob
must line up with the indicator light
before a shift can be commanded.
To command a shift rotate the
transfer case shift knob to the new
desired position. The light will flash
meaning that the shift is in progress.
When the shift is completed the new
position will be illuminated. If the
transfer case cannot complete a
shift command, it will go back to its
last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing
0 315 orTowing the Vehicle 0314.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.

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Driving and Operating 195
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) :Use when road surface
conditions are variable. When
driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is
sent to the front and rear wheels
automatically based on driving
conditions. This setting provides
slightly lower fuel economy than 2
m.
Do not use AUTO mode,
if equipped, to park on a steep
grade with poor traction such as ice,
snow, mud, or gravel. In AUTO
mode only the rear wheels will hold
the vehicle from sliding when
parked. If parking on a steep grade,
use 4
mto keep all four wheels
engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : This
setting engages the front axle. Use
this position when extra traction is
needed, such as when driving on
snowy or icy roads, or when
off-roading.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting engages the front axle and
delivers extra torque. Choose 4
n
when driving off-road in deep sand,
deep mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0199.
Shifting Into 4
mor AUTO
Turn the knob to the 4
mor AUTO
position at any speed, except from
4
n. The indicator light will flash
while shifting and will remain on
when the shift is completed.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed,
except when shifting from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting
and will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, keep vehicle
speed below 72 km/h (45 mph). To shift into 4
n:
1. The ignition must be on and the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the transmission
in N (Neutral). It is best for the
vehicle to be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
n. Wait for
the 4
nindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph),
the 4
nindicator light will flash for
30 seconds, but will not complete
the shift. After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to 4
m. Turn

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Driving and Operating 203
+RES will increase the set speed by
0.8 km/h (0.5 mph), while each tap
of the SET–will decrease the set
speed by 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph). This
adjusted speed becomes the new
set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between
30 and 60 km/h (19 and 37 mph),
however vehicle speed cannot be
set or maintained in this range.
It will automatically disable if the
vehicle 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 to
re-enable HDC.
When enabled, if the vehicle is at a
speed above 30 km/h (19 mph) and
less than 60 km/h (37 mph), a DIC
message will display instructing the
driver to reduce speed for HDC
operation.
Cruise control will not function while
HDC is enabled and vehicle speed
is below 40 km/h (25 mph).
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Off-Road Driving
Mode attempts to maximize
performance on terrain with limited
traction. It is turned on by pressing
and releasing
7on the center of
the transfer case knob next to the
steering wheel. The Off-Road Mode
is accessible in all transfer case
modes and is turned off
automatically when the ignition is
turned off.
Transfer Case Knob with Off-Road Mode Off-Road Mode facilitates limited
traction driving by:
.
Modifying the sensitivity of the
accelerator pedal for fine linear
control of torque on uneven
terrain.
. Modifying the transmission shift
map to hold gears for longer, in
order to limit slip while driving
over obstacles.
. Optimizing the performance of
the antilock brake (ABS),
Traction Control System (TCS)
and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) systems
on slippery surfaces.
For more information, on disabling
the TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC
systems see Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0199.
Off-Road Mode also interacts with
the axle locking system. It allows
the vehicle to travel at higher
speeds with a locked rear axle. See
Locking Rear Axle 0204.

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206 Driving and Operating
illuminate the ABS warning
light. Hill Decent Control (HDC)
will also be disabled.
The locking front axle will be
disengaged when the vehicle speed
exceeds 40 km/h (25 mph) or the
transfer case is shifted out of 4
n.
ABS will be automatically enabled
and the ABS warning light will turn
off when the locking front axle is
disengaged.
If HDC was enabled prior to axle
lock, it will be automatically enabled
when the locking front axle is
disengaged.
After pressing the switch to unlock
the axle, it may remain locked due
to torque in the driveline. The axle is
more easily unlocked by turning the
steering wheel to the right and to
the left while traveling at a low
speed.
Cruise Control
With cruise control a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
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 manual
transmission, the cruise control will
remain active when the gears are
shifted. The cruise is deactivated if
the clutch is pressed for several
seconds. If the cruise control is
being used and the Traction Control
(TCS) system or StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0199. If a collision
alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0212. When
road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be
turned back on.
If equipped with Hill Descent Control
(HDC), the cruise control will
disengage if HDC is active.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control disengages.

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220 Driving and Operating
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and follow
all state and local laws that
apply to trailer towing. These
requirements vary from state to
state.
. State laws may require the use
of extended side view mirrors.
Even if not required, you should
install extended side view
mirrors if your visibility is limited
or restricted while towing.
. Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) of vehicle
use to prevent damage to the
engine, axle, or other parts.
. It is recommended to perform
the first oil change before heavy
towing.
. During the first 800 km (500 mi)
of trailer towing, do not drive
over 80 km/h (50 mph) and do
not make starts at full throttle. .
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Tow/Haul Mode is recommended
for heavier trailers. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0188. If the
transmission downshifts too
often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode.
See Manual Mode 0185.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
. Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)

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224 Driving and Operating
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Thenapply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park). If equipped
with a manual transmission,
turn off the engine and move
the shift lever into
1 (First) gear.
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer of the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedals.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the
sloped part of the boat ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into
the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule
0331. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip. Check periodically to see that all
nuts and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 256.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.

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Vehicle Care 239
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 240
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 241
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 248
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 250
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 251
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 256
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Battery - North America . . . . . . 260
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 263
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 265
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 265
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 266
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 270
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 271
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

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250 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at your dealer. Contact your
dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, seePublication
Ordering Information 0358.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0341.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0331, and be sure to use
the fluid listed in Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0341.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Manual
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0341 for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not necessary to
regularly check brake/clutch fluid
unless there is a leak suspected.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this symbol on it.
The common brake/clutch fluid
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir