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Driving and Operating 185
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in
P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see“Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
The vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to
prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park), unless the ignition is
on or in Service Mode and the
regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0321.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever
button again. 3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), see your dealer.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
The vehicle’s engine may be
equipped with Active Fuel
Management, which allows the
engine to operate on either all of its
cylinders, or in reduced cylinder
operation, depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 189
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
If the vehicle is stopped on a hill,
with your foot off the brake pedal,
the vehicle may roll. This is normal
and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy
and performance. Use the brake to
hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use
the accelerator pedal.
If equipped with the 2.0L L4 engine,
engine speeds may be increased
while driving at highway speeds
while the engine is still warming up.
L :
This position gives you access
to gear ranges. This provides more
engine braking but lower fuel
economy than D (Drive). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. See Manual Mode
0 189.
Operating Modes : The
transmission may operate in a lower
gear than normal to improve vehicle
performance. The engine speed
may be higher and there may be an
increase in noise during the
following conditions:
. When climbing a grade
. When driving downhill
. When driving in hot
temperatures, or at high altitude
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the highest
gear available for the range
selected.
Chevrolet Blazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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
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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.
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Driving and Operating 241
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
towing. If the vehicle is towing a
trailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake system,
StabiliTrak/ESC may also apply the
trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
light will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. If trailer sway
continues, StabiliTrak/ESC can
reduce engine torque to help slow
the vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0194.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. SeeTowing
Equipment 0237 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blowouts.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
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266 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0352.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
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Vehicle Care 299
.There is cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or
fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 mi). See
Maintenance Schedule0339.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
uniform wear for all tires. The
first rotation is the most
important. Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See
When It Is Time
for New Tires 0300 and
Wheel Replacement 0304.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires. If the vehicle has a compact
spare tire, do not include it in the
tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure
0291 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0174.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0294.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0352.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and
(Continued)
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318 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
12. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
13. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
{Warning
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications 0352 for original
equipment wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
Improperly tightened wheel nuts
can lead to brake pulsation and
rotor damage. To avoid expensive
brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper
sequence and to the proper
torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications
0 352 for the wheel nut torque
specification.14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
15. Lower the jack all the way and remove the jack from under the
vehicle.
16. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly with the wheel wrench.
If equipped, when reinstalling the
wheel cover or center cap on the
full-size tire, tighten all six plastic
caps hand snug with the aid of the
wheel wrench and tighten them with
the wheel wrench an additional
one-quarter of a turn.