Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 95
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
0 242. 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 0314.
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 0244.
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
0 276 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0277.
Battery Voltage : Displays the current
battery voltage, if equipped. Battery voltage
changes are normal while driving. See
Charging System Light 087. 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 :
Movew 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:
Best Average Fuel Economy : The bottom
displays the best average fuel economy
(AFE) that is achieved for a selected
distance. The top displays a running average
of fuel economy for the most recently
traveled selected distance. The center bar
graph displays the instantaneous fuel
economy. Quickly press the SET/CLR button
to change the settings for the distance
options.
When viewing best AFE, a several second
press and hold of SET/CLR will reset the best
value. The best value will show “- - -“until
the selected distance has been traveled.
Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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98 Instruments and Controls
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 087. 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 0172.
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
.Cruise Control
.Lighting and Bulb Replacement
.Wiper/Washer Systems
.Doors and Windows
.Seat Belts
.Airbag Systems
.Engine and Transmission
.Tire Pressure
.Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle's
propulsion power is reduced. A reduction in
propulsion power can affect the vehicle's
ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination.
Under certain conditions the performance
may be reduced the next time the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle may be driven while this
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Driving and Operating 171
Electric Power Steering
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.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is held
against that position for an extended period
of time, power steering assist may be
reduced.
Normal use of the power steering assist
should return when the system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
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172 Driving and Operating
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be used for
off-road driving. Vehicles without four-wheel
drive and vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must
not be driven off-road except on a level, solid surface. For contact information about
the original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful off-road
driving is to control the speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. You
and your passengers should always wear
seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance and
service work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels, and check
inflation pressure in all tires, including the
spare, if equipped.
.Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
.Remove any underbody air deflector,
if equipped. Re-attach the air deflector
after off-road driving.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-road
driving.To gain more ground clearance if needed, it
may be necessary to remove the front fascia
lower air dam, if equipped. However, driving
without the air dam reduces fuel economy.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for extended
periods without the front fascia lower air
dam installed can cause improper airflow
to the engine. Reattach the front fascia
air dam after off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your passengers
can be struck by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly.
.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. The
heaviest things should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle's center of gravity, making it
more likely to roll over. You can be
(Continued)
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176 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0269.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, and
cooling system.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
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Driving and Operating 205
above 60 km/h (37 mph) for at least
30 seconds.
5must be pressed again to
re-enable HDC.
When enabled, if the vehicle is at a speed
above 30 km/h (19 mph) and less than
60 km/h (37 mph), a DIC message will
display instructing the driver to reduce
speed for HDC operation.
Cruise control will not function while HDC is
enabled and vehicle speed is below 40 km/h
(25 mph).
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control (DMC) allows the driver
to adjust the overall driving character to
better suit preference or specific driving
scenarios by adjusting multiple sub-system
calibrations simultaneously. Mode
availability is dependent upon vehicle trim
level, region, and optional features.
Transfer Case Knob with Off-Road Mode
Off-Road Mode
Use this mode for off-road recreational
driving at moderate speeds, on grass, gravel,
dirt, unpaved roads, or snow-covered roads.
The accelerator pedal will be more sensitive
to provide finer control of the torque at the
wheels. StabiliTrak/Electroinic Stability
Control (ESC), the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), and the Traction Control System(TCS)
will change for optimal off-road
performance.
For more information on off-road driving.
See Off-Road Driving 0172 For more information, on disabling the TCS
and StabiliTrak/ESC systems. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0202.
Off-Road Mode also interacts with the axle
locking system. It allows the vehicle to
travel at higher speeds with a locked rear
axle. See Locking Rear Axle 0205.
Limited-Slip Differential
If equipped, the limited-slip differential can
give more traction on snow, mud, ice, sand,
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most
of the time, but when traction is low, this
feature allows the drive wheel with the
most traction to move the vehicle. For
vehicles with the limited-slip differential,
driven under severe conditions, the rear axle
fluid should be changed. See Maintenance
Schedule 0314.
Locking Rear Axle
If equipped, the locking rear axle can give
the vehicle additional traction from the rear
wheels when traveling in off-road situations
such as mud, snow, steep hills, and uneven
terrain.
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Driving and Operating 223
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before
backing the trailer into the water to prevent
damage to the electrical circuits on the
trailer. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the water.
If the trailer has electric brakes that can
function when the trailer is submerged, it
might help to leave the electrical trailer
connector attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water:1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle.
5. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal. Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer of the water:
1. Press and hold the brake pedals.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of the boat
ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into the drive
mode that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0314. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically to see that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0249.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
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236 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 237
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 237
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 255 Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 258
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 262
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 267
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 273
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 277
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 281
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 283
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 283
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 284
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 297
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311