2020 CHEVROLET BLAZER ABS

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
Driving and Operating 191
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) Mode.
Turn the knob to4to select AWD.See
Driver Mode Control 0196.
When operated in two-wheel drive,
the vehicle will deliver power to the
front wheels only and may provide
better fuel economy.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
To restore full AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire
0 320.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric
brake boost have hydraulic brake
circuits that are electronically
controlled when the brake pedal is
applied during normal operation.
The system performs routine tests
and turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is shutdown. Noise
may be heard during this time. If the
brake pedal is pressed during the
tests or when the electric brake
boost system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and travel
may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
192 Driving and Operating
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 123.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off. To prevent draining the battery,
avoid repeated cycles of the EPB
system when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Y, PARK, orf
Electric Parking Brake light, and
some vehicles may have a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light
0123
and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 123.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the Electric Parking Brake light to
ensure that the EPB is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB: 1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The Electric Parking Brake light will
flash and then stay on once the
EPB is fully applied. If the light
flashes continuously, then the EPB
is only partially applied, the vehicle
is in Service Mode, or there is a

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
194 Driving and Operating
activate the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate
ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal
movement during this time may
occur. Continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving0163. When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
prevents the vehicle from rolling in
an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release
to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator
pedal is applied. If the accelerator
pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake
will apply. The brakes may also
release under other conditions. Do
not rely on HSA to hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade
for HSA to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
TCS also applies torque to the
non-spinning wheel to increase
traction and acceleration.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
Driving and Operating 197
8Sport :Sport Mode improves
vehicle handling and acceleration
on dry pavement. When active,
Sport Mode modifies steering
efforts, transmission shifting, AWD
torque, suspension tuning (when
properly equipped), and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
settings. For vehicles equipped with
AWD, choosing Sport Mode also
engages AWD.
4AWD (AWD Only) : AWD Mode
provides drive torque to all four
wheels. Select AWD to improve
traction and control on slippery road
surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. When in
AWD Mode, the AWD Mode
indicator will be on.
AWD is active in AWD, Sport, Tow/
Haul, and Off-Road Modes.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
To restore full AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See
Compact Spare Tire
0 320.
6Snow/Ice (FWD Only) : Snow/
Ice Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice
covered roads by changing
accelerator pedal response.
_Tow/Haul : This feature can
assist when towing or hauling a
heavy load. Use this mode to assist
in maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on downhill
grades by using the engine and
transmission. When active, Tow/
Haul Mode modifies transmission
shifting, steering effort, and Trailer
Sway Control. For AWD vehicles,
choosing Tow/Haul Mode also
engages AWD. See Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 229.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving downhill.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed. The normal shift
pattern will return once the vehicle
is on a low grade or when the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
See
Automatic Transmission 0187.
7Off-Road (AWD Only) : Use this
mode for off-road recreational
driving. When active, Off-Road
Mode modifies accelerator pedal
response, ABS, TCS, and the
StabiliTrak/ESC system. Choosing
Off-Road Mode also engages AWD.
For more information on Off-Road
Mode, see Off-Road Driving 0166.

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
232 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 the 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
0264.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible.
When parking the vehicle and 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.

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
238 Driving and Operating
Hitch Cover
To remove the hitch cover,
if equipped:1. Remove the four fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs into the slots in
the bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Reinstall the four fasteners on the lower tabs.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers.
1. Front of the Vehicle
2. Body-to-Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height above the front axle
distance (2) before and after
connecting the trailer. Adjust the
spring bars until the front fender
height distance (2) is approximately
halfway between the first and
second measurements.
Tires
. Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
Vehicle Care 267
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0248 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0122.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0339.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0348.

Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13557845) - 2020 - CRC - 3/24/20
268 Vehicle Care
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number on
the original battery label when a
new battery is needed. For
replacement of the battery, see your
dealer.Stop/Start System
The vehicle has a Stop/Start system
to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See
Stop/Start
System 0181.
It has an Absorbed Glass Mat
(AGM) 12-volt battery. Installation of
a standard 12-volt battery will result
in reduced 12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0244 and the back
cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0321 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.