Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16263960) - 2023 - CRC - 2/23/22
Climate Controls 169
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 041.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the
vehicle can be controlled with this system. 1. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
2. ON/OFF (Power)
3. MAX Defrost
4. Rear Window Defogger
5. Recirculation 6. Fan Controls
7. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If
Equipped)
8. Air Delivery Mode Controls
9. A/C (Air Conditioning)
10. Temperature Controls
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Climate Controls 171
@:Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
Auto Defog : The climate control system
may have a sensor to automatically detect
high humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
turn on the air conditioner. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system does
not detect possible window fogging, it
returns to normal operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, select
Settings > Climate and Air Quality > Auto
Defog > Select ON or OFF.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The defogger only works
when the vehicle is on.
The defogger can be turned off by turning
the vehicle off or to accessory mode. To turn Auto Rear Defog off or on, select
Settings > Climate and Air Quality > Auto
Rear Defog > Select ON or OFF.
When auto rear defog is selected, the rear
window defogger turns on automatically
when the interior temperature is cold and
the outside temperature is about 5 °C (41 °F)
and below. The Auto Rear Defogger turns off
automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with heated
outside mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror. See
Heated Mirrors 032
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 041. Remote Start Climate Control Operation (If
Equipped) :
If the vehicle is equipped with
the remote start feature, the climate control
system may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the driver’s
previous settings to heat or cool the inside
of the vehicle. The rear defog may come on
during remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated seats,
they may come on during a remote start.
See Remote Vehicle Start 019 and
Heated Front Seats 041.
Sensors
The solar sensor on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield monitors the solar
heat. The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed, recirculation, and air
delivery mode for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16263960) - 2023 - CRC - 2/23/22
172 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air vents to
change the direction of the airflow.
To open or close off the airflow:
.Move slider knobs away from the
occupant for shut off closing.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from
air inlets at the base of the windshield
that could block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle, which may
improve long term system performance.
.Keep the path under the front seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside
of the vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system. Check with your dealer
before adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats. This restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
comes in contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle, blot
immediately and clean with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter reduces dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle. The filter should be
replaced as part of routine scheduled
maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0315.
See your dealer regarding replacement of
the filter.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0 315.
Caution
Damage caused by improper refrigerant
usage could lead to costly repairs and
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Refrigerant systems should
only be serviced by qualified personnel.
Always use the correct refrigerant.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16263960) - 2023 - CRC - 2/23/22
Driving and Operating 173
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 174
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . 184
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . 186
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 192
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 194
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 194
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 198
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . 205
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . 217
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 219
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 228
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16263960) - 2023 - CRC - 2/23/22
174 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Driving Information
Driver Behavior
Driving is an important responsibility. Driver
behavior, the driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a vehicle
performs.
Being aware of these factors can help in
understanding how the vehicle handles and
what can be done to avoid many types of
crashes, including a rollover crash.
Most serious injuries and fatalities to
unbelted occupants can be reduced or
prevented by the use of seat belts. In a
rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden or abrupt
turns, impaired driving, and aggressive
driving can help make trips safer and avoid
the possibility of a crash.
Driving Environment
Be prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during other times
where visibility or traction may be limited, such as on curves, slippery roads, or hilly
terrain. Unfamiliar surroundings can also
have hidden hazards.
Vehicle Design
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
This is because they have a higher ground
clearance and a narrower track or shorter
wheelbase than passenger cars. While these
design characteristics provide the driver with
a better view of the road, these vehicles do
have a higher center of gravity than other
types of vehicles. A utility vehicle does not
handle the same as a vehicle with a lower
center of gravity, like a car, in similar
situations.
Safe driver behavior and understanding of
the environment can help avoid a rollover
crash in any type of vehicle, including utility
vehicles.
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible.
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 175
.On AWD vehicles, seeDriver Mode Control
0 202.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area. To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 045.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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176 Driving and Operating
{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
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
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.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16263960) - 2023 - CRC - 2/23/22
180 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 330. To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0194.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
200.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
For All-Wheel Drive (AWD), select Off-Road
or AWD mode. See Driver Mode Control
0 202 and
All-Wheel Drive 0197.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,