2021 CHEVROLET COLORADO oil temperature

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 6/17/21
Introduction 3
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may
be found on the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this manual for
information.
u:Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
g: First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock Location
+:Fuses
_:High Voltage
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child Restraints
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers Properly
Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7:Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
h: Risk of Electrical Fire
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V: Vehicle Ahead Indicator

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be started from
outside of the vehicle. The climate controls
and rear window defogger may also
come on.
If the vehicle has heated seats and the
feature is turned on in vehicle
personalization, the heated seats will turn
on during colder outside temperatures and
will shut off when the ignition is turned on.
SeeHeated Front Seats 025.
Laws in some communities may restrict the
use of remote starters. Check local
regulations for any requirements on remote
starting of vehicles.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not use the
remote start feature. The vehicle may run
out of fuel.
The vehicle cannot be remote started if:
.The key is in the ignition.
.The hood is not closed.
.There is an emission control system
malfunction and the malfunction indicator
lamp is on.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.Two remote vehicle starts, or a single
remote start with an extension, have
already been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
The engine will turn off during a remote
vehicle start if:
.The coolant temperature gets too high.
.The oil pressure gets low.
The RKE transmitter range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 08or
Vehicle Personalization 098.
Starting the Engine Using Remote Start
1. Press and release
Q.
2. Immediately press and hold
/until the
turn signal lamps flash or for at least
four seconds.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on. The doors will be
locked and the climate control system
may come on. The engine will continue to run for
15 minutes. Repeat the steps for one
15-minute time extension. Turn the ignition
on to operate the vehicle.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can be extended by
15 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes,
if during the first 15 minutes Steps 1 and 2
are repeated while the engine is still
running. An extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting.
A maximum of two remote starts, or a
single start with an extension, is allowed
between ignition cycles.
The ignition must be turned on and then
back off to use remote start again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of the
following:
.Press and hold/until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
74 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 84
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 85
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . 91
Low Fuel Warning Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . 91
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . 92
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
94 Instruments and Controls
time the ignition is off. Time will continue
to be counted as long as the ignition is on,
even if another display is being shown on
the DIC. The timer will record up to
99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds
(99:59:59) after which the display will return
to zero. To stop the timer, press SET/CLR
briefly while Timer is displayed. To reset the
timer to zero, press and hold SET/CLR.
Blank Display :Displays no information.
Vehicle Information Menu (VEHICLE)
Items
Press MENU on the turn signal lever until
the VEHICLE menu is displayed. Use
w x
to scroll through the menu items. Not all
items are available on every vehicle. The
following is a list of all possible menu items:
Remaining Oil Life : Displays an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life. If REMAINING
OIL LIFE 99% is displayed, that means 99%
of the current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will
appear on the display. The oil should be
changed as soon as possible. See Engine Oil
0 243. In addition to the engine oil life
system monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. See
Maintenance Schedule
0312.
The Oil Life display must be reset after each
oil change. Do not reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than when
the oil has just been changed. It cannot be
reset accurately until the next oil change. To
reset the engine oil life system, see Engine
Oil Life System 0245.
Oil Pressure : Oil pressure is displayed in
either kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds per
square inch (psi).
Tire Pressure : Displays a vehicle with the
approximate pressures of all four tires. Tire
pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds per square
inch (psi). See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 275 and Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 275.
Battery Voltage : Displays the current
battery voltage, if equipped. Battery voltage
changes are normal while driving. See
Charging System Light 086. If there is a
problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC will display a message.
Engine Hours : Shows the total number of
hours the engine has run. Transmission Fluid Temperature :
Shows the
temperature of the automatic transmission
fluid in either degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Trailer Brake (If Equipped) : TRAILER GAIN
shows the trailer gain setting. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
OUTPUT shows the power output to the
trailer anytime a trailer with electric brakes
is connected. Output is displayed as a bar
graph. Dashes may appear in the OUTPUT
display if a trailer is not connected.
Units : Move
w xto change between
Metric or US when the Unit display is active.
Press SET/CLR to confirm the setting. This
will change the displays on the DIC to the
type of measurements you select.
ECO Drive Assist Menu (ECO) Items
This menu is only available on some
vehicles. Press MENU on the turn signal
lever until the ECO menu is displayed. Use
w xto scroll through the menu items.
Not all items are available on every vehicle.
The following is a list of all possible menu
items:

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Instruments and Controls 97
select“Reset Best Score.” PressVto reset
the best average fuel economy. After reset,
the best value displays “-,-”until the
selected distance has been traveled.
The display provides information on how
current driving behavior affects the running
average and how well recent driving
compares to the best that has been
achieved for the selected distance.
Engine Hours (Hourmeter) : Shows the total
number of hours the engine has run. The
display also shows the engine idle hours.
Timer : This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press
Vwhile this
display is active. The display will show the
amount of time that has passed since the
timer was last reset. To stop the timer,
press
Vbriefly while this display is active
and the timer is running. To reset the timer
to zero, press and hold
Vwhile this display
is active.
Battery Voltage : Displays the current
battery voltage, if equipped. Battery voltage
changes are normal while driving. See
Charging System Light 086. If there is a
problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC will display a message. Oil Pressure :
Oil pressure is displayed in
either kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds per
square inch (psi).
Engine Hours : Shows the total number of
hours the engine has run.
Off Road Page : This page shows the
traction, four wheel drive, and steering
angle states. When the front or rear axles
are locked, a lock icon is displayed. See
Off-Road Driving 0173.
Transmission Fluid Temperature : Shows the
temperature of the automatic transmission
fluid in either degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Trailer Brake (If Equipped) : TRAILER GAIN
shows the trailer gain setting. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
OUTPUT shows the power output to the
trailer anytime a trailer with electric brakes
is connected. Output is displayed as a bar
graph. Dashes may appear in the OUTPUT
display if a trailer is not connected.
Blank Page : Shows no information.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC indicate the
status of the vehicle or some action that
may be needed to correct a condition.
Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be acknowledged and
cleared by pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken seriously;
clearing the message does not correct the
problem.
If a SERVICE message appears, see your
dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
.Service Messages
.Fluid Levels
.Vehicle Security
.Brakes
.Steering
.Ride Control Systems
.Driver Assistance Systems

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Driving and Operating 187
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal,turn the ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the key. The
idle speed will go down as the engine
gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently to
allow the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the ignition to the
START position immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor, and drain
the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down. 2. If the engine does not start after five to
10 seconds, especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there while
holding the key in START for up to
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator
pedal. If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing.
This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
If equipped, the engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up in cold weather
conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting. An
internal thermostat in the plug-end of the
cord may exist, which will prevent engine
heater operation at temperatures above
−18 °C (0 °F).

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
222 Driving and Operating
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, seeEngine
Overheating 0250.
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.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the ramp was
previously submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to launch the
boat if you are not sure the vehicle
can maintain traction.
.Do not move the vehicle if someone is
in the path of the trailer. Some parts
of the trailer might be underwater and
not visible to people who are assisting
in launching the boat.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
244 Vehicle Care
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range), the engine could be
damaged. Drain the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0240
for the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the
dipstick all the way back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0321. Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that meet the
dexos1 specification. Engine oils that have
been approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked with the
dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade engine oil for
the 2.5L L4 engine.
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade engine oil for
the 3.6L V6 engine. Cold Temperature
Operation: In an area of extreme cold,
where the temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be used. An oil of this viscosity grade will provide easier
cold starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos1
specification are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.