Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460274) - 2019 - CRC - 10/1/18
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
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460274) - 2019 - CRC - 10/1/18
196 Driving and Operating
the knob to 4mto display the
indicator. With the vehicle moving
less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and the
transmission in N (Neutral), attempt
the shift again.
Shifting Out of 4
n
To shift:
1. The vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the transmission
in N (Neutral) and the ignition
on. 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
m, AUTO,
or 2
m. Wait for the 4m, AUTO,
or 2
mindicator 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
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator light
will flash for 30 seconds but will not
complete the shift. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph),
and the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the brake
pedal. See Parking Brake
0 198.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on. 4. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2
m.
6. Turn the transfer case shift knob clockwise past the 4
n
detent to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts flashing.
This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly
release the knob to the 4
n
position. The N (Neutral) light
will come on when the transfer
case shift to N (Neutral) is
complete.
7. With the engine running, verify that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse),
then shift the transmission to
D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting the transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, and the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460274) - 2019 - CRC - 10/1/18
Driving and Operating 197
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift:1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition on with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case shift knob to 2
m.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out and
the new 2
mstate will be
displayed.
5. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
6. Release the parking brake.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 123. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460274) - 2019 - CRC - 10/1/18
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.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460274) - 2019 - CRC - 10/1/18
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.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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208 Driving and Operating
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0129 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 131. The increment value used
depends on the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
. Press and hold SET– until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To slow down in small
increments, briefly press SET–.
For each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0129 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 131. The increment value used
depends on the units displayed. Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
pressing SET–
will result in cruise
control set to the current vehicle
speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends on the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you
might have to brake or shift to a
lower gear to keep your speed
down. If the brake pedal is applied,
cruise control will disengage. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Press the clutch pedal for
several seconds or shift the
transmission to N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control,
press
5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
5is pressed
or if the ignition is turned off.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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)
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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222 Driving and Operating
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0256.Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible. When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal. If equipped with a manual
transmission, move the shift
lever into R (Reverse) if
parking on a downhill slope,
or shift into 1 (first) gear if
parking on an uphill slope.