Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 183
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time. Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has electric power steering.
It does not have power steering fluid.
Regular maintenance is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can be
steered, but may require increased effort.
If the steering assist is used for an extended
period of time while the vehicle is not
moving, power assist may be reduced.
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Driving and Operating 191
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be
in ON/RUN and the regular brake pedal
applied.
0 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/OFF) : This
position turns off the vehicle. It also locks
the ignition, the transmission on an
automatic transmission vehicle, and the
steering column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Push the key all the way in towards the steering column, then turn the key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key.
5. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0205.
See your dealer if the key can be removed
in any other position.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 199. A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
If equipped with a locking steering column,
the steering can bind with the front wheels
turned off center, which may prevent key
rotation out of LOCK/OFF. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right to left
while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this does not work, then the vehicle needs
service.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
In an emergency, if the vehicle cannot be
pulled over and must be turned off while
driving: 1. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
2. Brake using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 193
Stopping the Engine/Off (No Indicator
Lights)
When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE
START/STOP once to turn the engine off.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
on and the brake pedal must be applied.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will
turn off, and Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) will remain active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0199
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the ignition
will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition system will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric steering
column lock. The lock is activated when the
vehicle is turned off and either front door is
opened. A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering column
lock may not release with the wheels turned
off center. If this happens, the vehicle may
not start. Move the steering wheel from left
to right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the vehicle
needs service. Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and steering systems and
disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply
the brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition off.
4. Set the electric parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0205
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency. If the vehicle cannot be pulled over and
must be turned off while driving, press and
hold ENGINE START/ STOP for longer than
two seconds, or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator Light)
This mode allows you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the button
one time without the brake pedal applied
will place the ignition system in ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after five minutes to
prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light)
This mode is for driving and starting. With
the ignition off and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START. Once
engine cranking begins, release the button.
Engine cranking will continue until the
engine starts. See
Starting the Engine 0194.
The ignition will then remain in ON/RUN.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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206 Driving and Operating
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.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a
hill, see Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0234.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the
vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an
attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional braking to
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 Driving
0 182.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) temporarily 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 or automatically release after a few
seconds. 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), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel slip
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.
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 219
droplets from rain or snow that remain on
the windshield may also limit ACC’s ability
to detect objects.
Lighting Conditions Affecting ACC
The ACC front camera can be affected by
poor lighting conditions, and ACC may have
limited performance when:
.There are changes in brightness, such as
entering and exiting tunnels, bridges, and
overpasses.
.Low sun angles cause the camera to not
detect objects, or it is more difficult to
detect objects in the same traffic lane.
.Lighting is poor in the evening or early
morning
.There are multiple changes in brightness
or shadows along the vehicle roadway.
.In a tunnel without the headlamps on,
or in a tunnel when there is a vehicle in
front that does not have its taillamps on.
.Subjected to strong light from opposing
lane traffic in the front of the vehicle,
such as high-beam headlamps from
oncoming traffic.
Accessory Installations and Vehicle
Modifications
Do not install or place any object around
the front camera windshield area that would
obstruct the front camera view.
Do not install objects on top of the vehicle
that overhang and obstruct the front
camera, such as a canoe, kayak, or other
items that can be transported on a roof rack
system. SeeRoof Rack System 080.
Do not modify the hood, headlamps, or fog
lamps, as this may limit the camera’s ability
to detect an object.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on the windshield behind
the rearview mirror can become blocked by
snow, ice, dirt, mud, or debris. This area
needs to be cleaned for ACC to operate
properly.
The vehicle headlamps may need to be
cleaned due to dirt, snow, or ice. Objects
that are not illuminated correctly may be
difficult to detect. If ACC will not operate, regular cruise control
may be available. See
“Switching Between
ACC and Regular Cruise Control” in this
section. Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control system.
For cleaning instructions, see “Washing the
Vehicle” underExterior Care 0307.
Driver Assistance Systems
This vehicle may be equipped with driver
assistance systems that operate using radio
frequency. See Radio Frequency Statement
0 340.
This vehicle may have features that work
together to help avoid crashes or reduce
crash damage while driving, backing, and
parking. Read this entire section before
using these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver Assistance
Systems. These systems do not replace
the need for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by these systems.
(Continued)
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Driving and Operating 221
.Front side and rear side panels
.Outside of the windshield in front of the
rearview mirror
.Rear side corner bumpers
.Rear Vision Camera above the license
plate
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing
If equipped, the Rear Vision Camera (RVC),
Rear Park Assist (RPA), and Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA) may help the driver park or
avoid objects. Always check around the
vehicle when parking or backing.
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
When the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse),
the RVC displays an image of the area
behind the vehicle in the infotainment
display. The previous screen displays when
the vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) after
a short delay. To return to the previous
screen sooner, press Home or Back button
on the infotainment display, shift into
P (Park), or reach a vehicle speed of
approximately 12 km/h (8 mph) while in D
(Drive).
1. View Displayed by the Rear VisionCamera
1. View Displayed by the Rear VisionCamera
2. Corners of the Rear Bumper
Displayed images may be farther or closer
than they appear. The area displayed is
limited and objects that are close to either
corner of the bumper or under the bumper
do not display.
A warning triangle may display to show
that RPA or RCTA has detected an object.
This triangle changes from amber to red and
increases in size the closer the object.
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display children,
pedestrians, bicyclists, crossing traffic,
animals, or any other object outside of
the cameras’ field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle. Shown
distances may be different from actual
distances. Do not drive or park the
vehicle using only these camera(s).
Always check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to use
proper care may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage.
Park Assist
If equipped, Rear Parking Assist (RPA)
system, it assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in R (Reverse).
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222 Driving and Operating
RPA operates at speeds less than 8 km/h
(5 mph), and the sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft) behind the
vehicle, and at least 25 cm (10 in) off the
ground. The distance objects can be detected
may be less during warmer or humid
weather.
Blocked sensors will not detect objects and
can also cause false detections. Keep the
sensors clean of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and
slush; and clean sensors after a car wash in
freezing temperatures.
{Warning
The Park Assist system does not detect
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals,
or objects located below the bumper or
that are too close or too far from the
vehicle. It is not available at speeds
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). To prevent
injury, death, or vehicle damage, even
with Park Assist, always check the area
around the vehicle and check all mirrors
before moving forward or backing.
The instrument cluster may have a Park
Assist display with bars that show“distance
to object” and object location information
for the Park Assist system. As the object
gets closer, more bars light up and the bars
change color from yellow to amber to red.
When an object is first detected in the rear,
one beep will be heard from the rear. When
an object is very close (< 0.6 m (2 ft) in the
vehicle rear, five beeps will sound from
the rear.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
If equipped, when the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse), RCTA displays a red warning
triangle with a left or right pointing arrow
on the infotainment display to warn of
traffic coming from the left or right. This
system detects objects coming from up to
20 m (65 ft) from the left or right side of the vehicle. When an object is detected,
either three beeps sound from the left or
right depending on the direction of the
detected vehicle.
Use caution while backing up when towing
a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the vehicle do
not move further back when a trailer is
towed.
Turning the Features On or Off
RCTA and Rear Park Assist symbols can be
turned on or off through vehicle
personalization. See
“Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 110.
Turn off RPA when towing a trailer.
Assistance Systems for Driving
If equipped, when driving the vehicle in a
forward gear, Forward Collision Alert (FCA),
Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) Lane Keep Assist (LKA),
Lane Change Alert (LCA), Automatic
Emergency Braking (AEB), and/or the Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System can help to
avoid a crash or reduce crash damage.
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Driving and Operating 225
brake moderately or hard. This automatic
emergency braking can only occur if a
vehicle is detected. This is shown by the FCA
vehicle ahead indicator being lit. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System0223.
The system works when driving in a forward
gear between 8 km/h (5 mph) and 80 km/h
(50 mph), or on vehicles with Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC), above 4 km/h (2 mph).
It can detect vehicles up to approximately
60 m (197 ft).
{Warning
AEB is an emergency crash preparation
feature and is not designed to avoid
crashes. Do not rely on AEB to brake the
vehicle. AEB will not brake outside of its
operating speed range and only responds
to detected vehicles.
AEB may not:
.Detect a vehicle ahead on winding or
hilly roads.
.Detect all vehicles, especially vehicles
with a trailer, tractors, muddy
vehicles, etc.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Detect a vehicle when weather limits
visibility, such as in fog, rain, or snow.
.Detect a vehicle ahead if it is partially
blocked by pedestrians or other
objects.
Complete attention is always required
while driving, and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes and/or
steer the vehicle to avoid crashes.
AEB may slow the vehicle to a complete
stop to try to avoid a potential crash. If this
happens, AEB may engage the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle at a
stop. Release the EPB or firmly press the
accelerator pedal.
{Warning
AEB may automatically brake the vehicle
suddenly in situations where it is
unexpected and undesired. It could
respond to a turning vehicle ahead,
guardrails, signs, and other non-moving
objects. To override AEB, firmly press the
accelerator pedal, if it is safe to do so.
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
IBA may activate when the brake pedal is
applied quickly by providing a boost to
braking based on the speed of approach and
distance to a vehicle ahead.
Minor brake pedal pulsations or pedal
movement during this time is normal and
the brake pedal should continue to be
applied as needed. IBA will automatically
disengage only when the brake pedal is
released.
{Warning
IBA may increase vehicle braking in
situations when it may not be necessary.
You could block the flow of traffic. If this
occurs, take your foot off the brake pedal
and then apply the brakes as needed.
AEB and IBA can be disabled through vehicle
personalization. See “Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 110.