2021 CHEVROLET COLORADO brake light

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Driving and Operating 195
Caution (Continued)
transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If the
vehicle is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
If equipped, Low Traction Mode assists in
vehicle acceleration when road conditions
are slippery, such as with ice or snow. While
the vehicle is at a stop, select L2 using
Range Selection Mode. This will limit torque
to the wheels and help to prevent the tires
from spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
If equipped, Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift
cycling. While towing heavy loads, this
mode provides increased performance and
vehicle control.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off by
pressing the button on the center stack.
When the Tow/Haul Mode is enabled, a
light on the instrument cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light 089 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0177.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing
Equipment 0228.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, the Tow/
Haul button activates the exhaust brake
system simultaneously. See “Exhaust Brake”
in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the
front axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in
4
m, or 4nfor an extended period of
time. These conditions may cause:
.Overheating.
.Oil leakage.
.Damage to internal and external
components of the front axle.
.Premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
mor
4
nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.
.Cause additional driveline noise.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll if the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), even when the shift
lever is in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear —2
m, 4m,
(Continued)

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
196 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
or 4n—or set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
See Shifting Into Park 0189.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4n
may damage or shorten the life of the
drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when shifting
between 4
nand 4mor from N (Neutral),
with the engine running, is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) off. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0202.
Electronic Transfer Case
Use the transfer case shift knob, next to the
steering wheel, to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive for extra traction.
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 shift 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 shift 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.
In extreme cold weather it may be
necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to
shift from 2
mto 4m.
Delayed shifts from 4
mto 2mmay be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low
tire pressure, high vehicle loading, or cold
temperatures.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the
transfer case.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) : Use only when the vehicle
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0299 or
Towing the Vehicle 0298.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Driving and Operating 197
2m(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.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting
engages the front axle and delivers extra
torque. Choose 4
nif driving off-road in deep
sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills. When
engaged, keep vehicle speed below 72 km/h
(45 mph).
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0202.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use when
extra traction is needed. The front axle
engages and helps when driving on snowy
or icy roads, and when off-roading. The
vehicle can be shifted from 2
mto 4mwhile
the vehicle is moving.
Shifting Into 4
m
Turn the knob to 4mat any speed up to
121 km/h (75 mph), except from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting and
will remain on the selected setting. Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed, except
when shifting from 4
n.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, vehicle speed should
be kept below 72 km/h (45 mph).
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 4n
indicator light to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
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 the knob
to 4
mto see 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
1. To shift out of 4nthe 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
mor 2m. Wait for the
4
mor 2mindicator light to stop flashing
before shifting the transmission
into gear.
If the transmission is in gear and/or moving
more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the 4
mor 2m
indicator 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
0 201.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
198 Driving and Operating
5. Shift the transfer case to 2m.
6. Turn the transfer case knob clockwise past the 4
ndetent 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
nposition. 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 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). See Recreational Vehicle Towing
0 299.
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.
5. Shift to P (Park).
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 0206 and
Locking Front Axle 0207.
For ZR2 Off-Road Mode information, see
Driver Mode Control 0205.
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.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
200 Driving and Operating
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 the knob
to 4
mto 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 2m. Wait
for the 4
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator 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 2
mindicator 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
0 201.
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
ndetent 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
nposition. 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).
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.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Driving and Operating 201
5. Place the transmission shift lever inP (Park).
6. Release the parking brake.
Brakes
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 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. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 088.
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.
Parking Brake
Set the parking brake by holding the regular
brake pedal down, then pushing down the
parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. See
Brake
System Warning Light 087.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push down
momentarily on the parking brake pedal
until you feel the pedal release. Slowly pull
your foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released when
you begin to drive, the brake system
warning light will flash and a chime will
sound warning you that the parking brake is
still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0219.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Driving and Operating 203
When the transfer case (if equipped) is in 4
n, the stability system is automatically
disabled, and
gcomes on in the instrument
cluster. Both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC are
automatically disabled.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
(Except ZR2)
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC is on
the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged. To turn off only TCS, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster. To turn TCS on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off light
iin the instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis
pressed, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again, press
and release
g. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak/ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically turn on if
the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph). TCS
will remain off until
gis pressed or until
the ignition is turned off and then back on.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0237.

Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
204 Driving and Operating
Turning the Systems Off and On
(ZR2 Only)
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC is on
the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
Off light
gdisplay in the instrument
cluster. To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak/ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis
pressed, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning. To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again, press
and release
g. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak/ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically turn on if
the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph). TCS
will remain off until
gis pressed or until
the ignition is turned off and then back on.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0237.
Stability Control Interaction with
Off-Road Mode (ZR2 Only)
The TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC calibrations are
different while in Off-Road Mode. They
provide optimum performance in an off-road
environment.
Pressing and releasing
gwhile in Off-Road
Mode disables TCS and changes the
StabiliTrak/ESC calibration to allow a greater
difference between vehicle path and
intended path. This reduces the amount of correction StabiliTrak/ESC will provide in the
event the vehicle is not traveling on the
intended path.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil a StabiliTrak/ESC off
message displays in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g.iandgin the
instrument cluster will turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will not automatically turn
on while in Off-Road Mode. TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC will remain off in Off-Road
Mode until
gis pressed or the ignition is
turned off and then back on.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used when driving
downhill. It sets and maintains vehicle speed
while descending a very steep incline in a
forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center stack,
below the climate controls.
Press
5to enable or disable HDC. Vehicle
speed must be below 60 km/h (37 mph).