
Canadian Fuels 
Diesel-powered  trucks  are now  equipped  with emission  control  systems  that 
require  the  use of diesel fuel with  low-sulfur 
(.05% by weight)  content. 
Both  low-  and higher-sulfur  fuels will be  available 
in Canada.  Only 
low-sulfur  diesel fuels  are  available 
in the United  States. It is  important  that 
diesel-powered  trucks  are refueled  with  low-sulfur fuel. Use of fuels  with 
higher-sulfur  content will affect 
the function  of the emission  components 
and may  cause reduced  performance,  excessive  smoke  and unpleasant  odor. 
Cold  Weather  Operation 
Follow the instructions listed previously  under the heading  “What Fuel to 
Use.” 
If  you’re  driving 
in very toold temperatures  and can’t get  a “winterized” 
Number 
2-D that has been  adapted to cold weather  or  a Number 1-D, you 
can 
use one  gallon  of kerosene  for  every two  gallons  of diesel  fuel.  Once 
you  add the  kerosene,  run your  engine  for  several minutes 
so the fuels  will 
mix. Add kerosene  only when the temperature  falls  below 0°F (-1 S”C), 
because  the fuel economy of kerosene  isn’t as good as that  of diesel fuel. 
NOTICE: 
Never  use  home  heating  oil  or  gasoline  in  your  diesel  engine. \
They can  cause  engine  damage. 
In cold weather, your fuel filter  may become  clogged  (waxed). To unclog it, 
warm  the filter  to  between 
32°F and 50°F (OOC to 10°C). You won’t  need 
to  replace 
it. 
Water  in  Fuel 
Sometimes,  water  can be pumped  into your  fuel tank along  with your  diesel 
fuel.  This  can happen 
if a service station  doesn’t regularly  inspect and clean 
its fuel  tanks, or 
if it gets contaminated  fuel  from  its suppliers. 
If  this  happens,  a  WATER 
IN FUEL  light will come on. If it does,  the excess 
water must  be drained.  Your dealer  can  show 
you how to do  this. 
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L 
WATER 
IN 
FUEL 
If the light  comes on at any other time,  use this  chart.  This  light  also  should 
come  on  briefly when 
you  start  your  engine, 
as 
a check.  If it 
doesn’t,  have  it  fixed 
so it will  be there  to 
let  you  know  if you 
ever  do get  water  in 
your  fuel. 
If you drive  when  this warning  light is on, you  can damage your 
fuel  injection  system  and your  engine. 
If the light  comes  on  right 
after  you refuel, 
it means water  was pumped into your  fuel tank. 
Turn 
off your  engine  immediately.  Then, have the water  drained 
at once. 
“WATER IN FUEL” LIGHT  CHART 
Problem  Recommended  Action 
Light  comes on intermittently.  Drain water from  fuel  filter. 
Light stays on: 
1. At  temperatures  above  freezing. 
2. At temperatures  below  freezing. 
3. Immediately  after refueling - 
large  amount  of water possibly 
pumped  into 
fuel tank.  Drain  fuel  filter 
immediately. 
If no 
water  can be drained  and  light  stays 
on,  see  your  dealer  for  assistance. 
Drain  fuel  filter  immediately. 
If no 
water  can be  drained-water  may 
be  frozen.  Open the air bleed  valve 
to  check  for  fuel  pressure. 
If no  fuel 
pressure  is  present,  replace the  fuel 
filter. 
Fuel  tank  purging  required. See 
your  dealer  for  assistance. 
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Hesitation  or  “flat”  performance  at  high  speed  or  during  \
hard acceleration 
may  be  an  indication  of premature  fuel  filter  plugging  due  to  dirty  or 
contaminated  fuel.  The fidter  element  may need  to  be  changed 
if this 
happens.  See  your  dealer  for  assistance. 
To drain  water: 
1. Stop and park  the  vehicle  in a  safe  place.  Turn off the  engine  and  apply 
2. Remove  the  fuel  tank  cap. 
the  parking  brake. 
3. Place  a 
fuel-resistant  container  under  the  filter  drain  hose. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
4. With  the engine 
off,  open  the 
water  drain  valve 
2 to 3 turns. 
When  standing in 
front  of the 
vehicle,  the  valve 
is  located  on  the 
right  side  of the 
thermostat 
housing. 
Start  the  engine  and  allow  it  to  idle  until  clear  fuel  is  ob\
served. 
Stop  the  engine  and close  the  water  drain  valve. 
Remove  the  fuel-resistant  container  and properly dispose of the 
contaminated  fuel. 
To find  out  how  to  properly dispose of contaminated 
diesel  fuel  see  “What  to  Do  with  Used  Oil”  in  the  “E\
ngine  Oil (Diesel 
Engines)”  part,  later  in this  section. 
Install  the  fuel  tank  cap. 
If the  WATER IN FUEL light  comes  on  again  after  driving  a  short  distance 
or  the  engine  runs  rough  or  stalls-a large  amount  of water  has  probably 
been  pumped  into  the 
fuel tank.  The  fuel  tank  should  be  purged. 
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NOTICE: 
If there is water  in  your  diesel  fuel  and  the  weather  is warm  or 
humid,  fungus  and  bacteria  can  grow  in  the  fuel. They  can 
damage  your  fuel  system.  You'll need  a  diesel  fuel  biocide  to 
sterilize  your  fuel  system.  Your dealer  can  advise 
you if you ever 
need  this. 
If your  fuel  tank  needs  to  be purged  to  remove  water,  see your 
dealer  or  a  qualified  technician.  Improper  purging  can  damage 
your  fuel  system. 
Running Out of Fuel  (Diesel Engines) 
If the  engine  stalls and you think that you've run out of fuel,  do this: 
First, open the fuel  filter  air bleed  valve. 
Briefly crank  the 
engine  and have 
someone  watch the 
bleed valve.  If there  is 
air, then  you are 
probably 
out of fuel. 
To restart your engine: 
I. If  you're  parked  on a level surface, add  at least two gallons of fuel. 
However,  if you're  parked 
on a  slope,  you  may  need  to add up to five 
gallons  of fuel. 
2. With  the  air bleed  valve open,  turn your ignition key to START for 10 
to 
15 seconds  to crank  (but not start) your engine.  Wait one minute 
between  intervals 
of cranking  to allow the  starter motor to  cool. 
Overheating  the starter  motor could  damage it. Keep  doing this until 
you can just see some  clear fuel at the air bleed  valve.  (If,  during  this 
step,  the  engine  starts, turn  the ignition  off  and close the valve before 
restart.) 
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A CAUTION: 
Diesel  fuel is flammable. It could start a fire if it  gets  on  hot 
engine parts.  You could  be burned.  Don't  let too much  fuel flow 
from  the air bleed 
valve, and  wipe  up any  spilled  fuel  with a 
cloth. 
3. Close the air bleed  valve. 
4. Turn the ignition key to START for 10 to 15 seconds  at a time until 
your engine  starts. 
Fuel  Filter  Replacement  (Diesel  Engines) 
If you want to  change  the fuel  filter yourself,  here's how to  do it: 
A CAUTION: 
Diesel  fuel  is flammable. It could  start a fire if something  ignites 
it,  and  you could  be  burned. Don't  let  it get  on  hot engine  parts, 
and  keep matches  or other  ignition  sources away. 
First. drain  any water  from the filter  following  the procedure for  draining 
water listed  previously. 
Your  vehicle's  engine  should  be  off until the end 
of the  following  procedure. 
1. Apply the parking  brake. 
2. Take off the fuel tank  cap.  This releases  vacuum in the tank. 
3. Unscrew and 
remove the ring 
nut from  the top 
of  the 
filter head. 
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7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
4. Lift the element 
out 
of the  filter 
head. 
5. If  there is any dirt 
on the  element 
sealing  surface 
of 
the filter head, 
clean 
it off. 
6. Line  up the 
widest  slot in the 
top  of the  new 
element  with 
the 
widest key on 
then top of the 
filter  head. Push 
the  element  in 
until the mating 
surfaces touch. 
Replace  and tighten the ring 
nut to the top of the  filter  head 
With 
the air  bleed  valve open,  turn your  ignition key to START for 10 
to 15 seconds.  Wait one minute  for  your  starter to cool. Do this until 
you can  see  clear  fuel coming  from  the air bleed valve. 
Close  the air bleed valve and replace the fuel cap. 
Start  your  engine  and let it idle  for  five  minutes. Check your 
fuel filter 
and  air bleed  valve for leaks. 
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Engine  Coolant  Heater 
An engine  coolant heater can be a big help if you  have to  park outside in 
very  cold weather, 0°F (-1 8OC) or colder.  If your vehicle has this  option, 
see  “Engine  Coolant  Heater’’  in the Index. 
What  to Do with  Used  Oil 
Did you know  that used  engine oil contains  certain elements  that may  be 
unhealthy  for your  skin and  could even cause  cancer?  Don’t let  used  oil stay 
on  your  skin  for very  long. Clean your  skin and nails with  soap and water, 
or  a  good hand  cleaner. Wash or properly  throw away  clothing  or  rags 
containing  used engine  oil.  (See  the manufacturer‘s  warnings about the use 
and  disposal  of 
oil products.) 
Used oil can  be a real  threat to 
the environment.  If you  change  your own oil, 
be sure  to  drain all free-flowing  oil  from the filter  before  disposal.  Don’t 
ever  dispose 
of oil  by putting it in the  trash,  pouring it on the  ground,  into 
sewers,  or into  streams  or bodies 
of water. Instead.  recycle it by taking it to 
a place that  collects used oil. If you have a problem  properly  disposing of 
your used oil, ask your dealer, a service  station  or a local recycling  center 
for  help. 
Engine  Oil (Diesel  Engines) 
It’s a good idea to check  your  engine oil level every  time  you get fuel.  In 
order  to get  an accurate  reading, the  oil must  be  warm  and 
the vehicle  must 
be  on level  ground. 
Turn off the  engine 
and  give  the oil 
a few 
minutes 
to drain  back 
into the 
oil pan. If you 
don’t,  the oil dipstick 
might  not show the 
actual level. 
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CranKcase  Capacity 
ENGINE 
4.3L 5  .OL 
5.7L“ 
6.5L 
6.5L 
6.5L 
7.4L>$ 
VIN 
Z 
€4 
K 
P 
S 
F 
N 
QUANTITY WITH 
FILTER* 
4.5 Quarts  (4.3  Liters) 
5 Quarts (4.8 Liters) 
5  Quarts  (4.8  Liters) 
7 Quarts (6.5  Liters) 
7  Quarts 
(6.5 Liters) 
7 Quarts  (6.5 Liters) 
7  Quarts  (6.5  Liters) 
After refill, the  level 
MUST be checked  as outlined  under “Engine  Oil  And 
Filter Recommendations” 
in Section 5. 
All  quantities  are approximate. 
“Add  one  additional quart  for 
C3500 HD Models. 
+Oil filter should  be changed  at EVERY oil change. 
Fuel  Tank  Capacity 
TYPE 
Gasoline/Diesel 
with  Short  Bed 
with  Long  Bed 
Crew  Cab 
Standard 
Chassis-Cab  Models 
Standard  (Side Tank) 
Optional  (Rear Tank) 
3500 HD Models 
Standard  (Side Tank) 
Optional  (Rear Tank) 
QUANTITY 
26 Gallons  (98  Liters) 
34 Gallons 
(1 28  Liters) 
34 Gallons 
(1 28 Liters) 
23  Gallons  (87  Liters) 
3 
1 Gallons (1 17 Liters) 
23 Gallons  (87  Liters) 
3 1 Gallons ( 117 Liters) 
All  quantities  are 
for a completely dry tank  and are approximate. 
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