Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Doors
Tailgate
{Warning
It is extremely dangerous to ride on the
tailgate, even when the vehicle is
operated at low speeds. People riding on
the tailgate can easily lose their balance
and fall in response to vehicle maneuvers.
Falling from a moving vehicle may result
in serious injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
On vehicles with a lock on the tailgate, use
the key to lock or unlock the tailgate.
If equipped, to lock or unlock the tailgate,
use the RKE transmitter or the key. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 09
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate down.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it upward
until it latches. After closing the tailgate, pull it back to be
sure it latches securely.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features;
however, they do not make the vehicle
impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
If equipped with the anti-theft alarm
system, the indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the windshield,
indicates the status of the system.
Off :
Alarm system is disarmed. On Solid :
Vehicle is secured during the
delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door or
the hood is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle with one of the
following:
.Use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
.With a door open, pressQon the
interior of the door.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will bypass
the 30-second delay and immediately
arm the alarm system.
The theft-deterrent alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with the key.
If the driver door is opened without first
unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn
will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Lighting 101
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 102
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . 102
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 102
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . 102
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . 103
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 107
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
wheel.
O: Turns off the automatic headlamps and
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). Turn the
headlamp control to
Oagain to turn the
automatic headlamps or DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off will only
work when the vehicle is in P (Park).
AUTO : Automatically turns on the
headlamps at normal brightness, together
with the following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Front/Rear Sidemarker Lamps
When the vehicle is turned off and the
headlamps are in AUTO, the headlamps turn
off. When the key is removed, they
automatically turn on for a set time.
The time of the delay can be changed
using the DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 093 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 95.
;:Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps together with
the parking lamps and instrument panel
lights.
When the headlamps are turned on while
the vehicle is on, the headlamps turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the
headlamps will stay on for 10 minutes
before turning off to prevent the battery
from being drained. Turn the headlamp
control off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Lighting 105
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature controls the brightness of the
steering wheel and instrument panel lights.
The instrument panel illumination control is
next to the exterior lamp control.
D:Move the thumbwheel up or down to
brighten or dim the lights.
Dome Lamps
The interior lamps control in the overhead
console controls both the front and rear
interior lamps.
To operate:
(: Turns the lamps off.
H:Turns the lamps on when any door is
opened.
': Keeps the lamps on all the time.
The interior lamps turn on automatically if
the airbags are deployed.
Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps, if equipped, are in
the overhead console.
The rear reading lamps, if equipped, are in
the headliner.
#or$: Press to turn each lamp on
or off.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
106 Lighting
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and the interior lamps
turn on briefly at night, or in areas with
limited lighting, when
Kis pressed on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
When a door is opened, the interior lamps
come on if the dome lamp control is in the
Hposition. After about 30 seconds the
exterior lamps turn off. Entry lighting can be
disabled manually by changing the ignition
out of the OFF position, or by pressing
Q
on the RKE transmitter.
This feature can be changed. See “Vehicle
Locator Lights” underVehicle Personalization
0 98.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and the interior lamps
come on at night, or in areas with limited
lighting when the key is removed from the
ignition. The exterior and interior lamps
remain on for a set amount of time and
then automatically turn off. The interior
lamps do not come on if the dome lamp
control is in the Off position. The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamps control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle
Personalization 098.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM), which estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then
adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. The
voltmeter gauge or the voltage display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
if equipped, may show the voltage moving
up or down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads. A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of
the battery. It does this by balancing the
generator's output and the vehicle's
electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power
demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or
levels, without being noticeable. In rare
cases at the highest levels of corrective
action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might be
displayed and it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as
possible.
Battery Power Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading
lamps, if they are left on for more than
10 minutes after the ignition is turned off.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Service and Maintenance 319
.Trained dealer technicians have access to
tools and equipment to inspect the brakes
and recommend quality parts engineered
for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved fluids
protect the vehicle’s systems and
components. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0321 for GM approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield washer fluid
levels should be checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may come on to
indicate that fluids may be low and need
to be filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should be
regularly inspected to ensure that there are
no cracks or leaks. With a multi-point
inspection, your dealer can inspect the hoses
and advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps, taillamps, and
brake lamps are important to see and be
seen on the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need attention
include dimming, failure to light, cracking,
or damage. The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure that they
light when braking.
.With a multi-point inspection, your dealer
can check the lamps and note any
concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control for a
smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include steering wheel
vibration, bounce/sway while braking,
longer stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi-point inspection,
trained dealer technicians can visually
inspect the shocks and struts for signs of
leaking, blown seals, or damage, and can
advise when service is needed. Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated, rotated,
and balanced. Maintaining the tires can save
money and fuel, and can reduce the risk of
tire failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be replaced
include three or more visible treadwear
indicators; cord or fabric showing through
the rubber; cracks or cuts in the tread or
sidewall; or a bulge or split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can inspect and
recommend the right tires. Your dealer
can also provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth vehicle
operation at all speeds. Your dealer sells
and services name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like new,
vehicle care products are available from your
dealer. For information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and exterior,
see Interior Care 0307 and
Exterior Care 0303.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14430421) - 2021 - CRC - 2/10/20
Index 351
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 80
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . 133
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . 331
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 102 Headlamps (cont'd)
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 259
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 28
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . 256
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Indicator
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 45
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 108
J
Jack Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . 296
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Lamps
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104