2009 Chevrolet Colorado Owner's Manual - Page 104

Automatic Transmission Operation There are several different positions for the shift lever. P (Park): This position locks the rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily. { CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-32. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-47. Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply the brake pedal before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. The vehicle has a shift lever on the steering column. It features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display is powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of P (Park). This means that if the ignition is turned off, but not in LOCK/OFF, there will be a small current drain on the battery which could discharge the battery over a period of time. If you need to leave the key in the ignition but not in LOCK/OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging the battery. 2-22