2020 Chevrolet Colorado Owners Manual - Starting and Operating

Starting and Operating

New Vehicle Break-In

Ignition Positions

Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF

ACC/ACCESSORY

ON/RUN

START

The ignition switch has four positions.

To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be applied.

0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/ OFF) : This position turns off the vehicle. It also locks the ignition, the transmission, and the steering column, if equipped with a locking steering column.

To turn off the vehicle:

Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.

Shift to P (Park).

Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0 181.

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to LOCK/OFF.

Remove the key.

Release the brake pedal.

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) 0 164.

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.

In an emergency, if the vehicle cannot be pulled over and must be turned off while driving:

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to ACC/ ACCESSORY.

Brake using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete power assist, requiring increased brake pedal force.

Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving. Continue braking and steer the vehicle to a safe location.

Come to a complete stop.

Shift to P (Park).

Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1), then turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF (2).

Set the parking brake. See

Parking Brake 0 181.

Remove the key.

Release the brake pedal.

(ACC/ACCESSORY) : This

position allows features such as the infotainment system to operate while the vehicle is off. It also unlocks the steering column,

if equipped with a locking steering column. Use this position if the

vehicle must be pushed or towed. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 164.

From ON/RUN, push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to ACC/ ACCESSORY.

If the key is left in ACC/ ACCESSORY with the engine off, the battery could drain and the vehicle may not start.

A warning chime will sound when the driver door is opened and the key is in the ignition.

(ON/RUN) : This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display some instrument cluster warning and indicator lights. This position can also be used for service and diagnostics, and to verify the proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp as may be required for emission inspection purposes. The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The transmission is also unlocked in this position.

If the key is left in ON/RUN with the engine off, the battery could drain and the vehicle may not start.

(START) : This is the position that starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition returns to ON/RUN for driving.

If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.

Place the transmission in the proper gear.

Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.

With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the engine gets warm. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold weather (below−18 °C or 0 °F), it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there while holding the key in START for up to 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator pedal. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing. This

clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.

If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.

If equipped, the engine heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine

warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below−18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with an engine heater should be

plugged in at least four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist, which will prevent engine heater operation at temperatures above

−18 °C (0 °F).

Heater Cord Near Engine Air Cleaner, 2.5L L4 Engine Shown, 3.6L V6 Engine Similar

Turn off the engine.

Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is secured near the coolant surge

tank or to the engine air cleaner. Carefully remove the cord.

Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it. See your dealer for a replacement. Inspect the cord for damage yearly.

Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be damaged.

The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this.

When the ignition is turned from on to off, the following features (if equipped) will continue to function for up to 10 minutes, or until the driver door is opened. These features will also work when the ignition is in RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY:

Infotainment System

Power Windows (during RAP this functionality will be lost when any door is opened)

Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will be lost when any door is opened)

Auxiliary Power Outlet

Audio System

OnStar System

Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake.

See Parking Brake 0 181.

Hold the button on the shift lever and push the lever toward the front of the vehicle into P (Park).

Be sure the transfer case (if equipped) is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral).

Push the ignition key in, towards the steering column and then turn the ignition off.

Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).

If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you move the shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without pressing the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park).

If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat. To find out how, see Shifting Into Park 0 164.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission. You will then be able to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).

This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock release system.

The shift lock release is designed to:

Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is in P (Park).

Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park), unless the ignition is on and the regular brake pedal is applied.

To shift out of P (Park):

Apply the brake pedal.

Press the button on the shift lever.

Move the shift lever to the desired position.

If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):

Ease the pressure on the shift lever.

While holding down the brake pedal and pressing the shift lever button, move the shift lever all the way into P (Park).

While holding the shift lever button, move the shift lever to the desired position.

If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the vehicle serviced soon.

This vehicle may have the Seat Belt Assurance System, which may prevent the vehicle from shifting out of P (Park). See Seat Belts 0 35.

Active Fuel Management

The vehicle’s engine may be equipped with Active Fuel Management, which allows the engine to operate on either all of its cylinders, or in reduced cylinder operation, depending on the driving conditions.

When less power is required, such as cruising at a constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in reduced operation mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve better fuel economy. When greater power demands are required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing,

or merging onto a highway, the system will maintain full-cylinder operation.

If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management indicator, see Driver Information Center (DIC) for more information on using this display.