2001 CHEVROLET C3500 HD air condition

iii
Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Your Driving and the Road
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio ClockRadio/Cassette Player
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road

2-49 Charging System Indicator Light
This light should come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, before starting the
engine, as a check to show
you it is working.
After the engine starts, the light should go out. If it stays
on or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with your charging system. It could indicate a
problem with the generator drive belt, or some other
charging system problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, it
helps to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
in RUN, this gage shows
your battery's state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.

2-53
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or
CHECK ENGINE light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty. This
may also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-4 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-5 Ventilation System
3
-6 Audio Systems
3
-6 Setting the Clock3
-7AM-FM Stereo
3
-9AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
3
-12 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-12 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-13 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-14 Fixed Mast Antenna

3-3 Heater and Air Conditioning Control
System (If Equipped)
Fan Knob
The knob located on the left side of the heating system
control panel regulates the fan speed. The knob has
four speed positions. To increase airflow, turn the knob
toward HI. To decrease airflow, turn it toward LO. To
turn the fan off, turn the knob to OFF. If you have the air
conditioner on, turning the fan knob to OFF also turns
off the A/C compressor.
With the fan knob in OFF while driving, the airflow will
be directed to the floor air outlets. The mode knob will
not redirect airflow to other selected outlet positions.
This is normal operation for OFF.Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
relative temperature of the air flowing into the passenger
area of your vehicle. This knob will allow you to adjust
the relative air temperature independently of the fan and
knob settings. Turn the knob clockwise, toward the
red area, for warmer air. Turn the knob counterclockwise,
toward the blue area, for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to choose the
direction of air delivery. The knob can be placed in any
position between two mode settings to blend the flow of air. VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting divides airflow between
the floor air outlets and instrument panel air outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs air through the
heater floor air outlets.
BLEND: This setting directs air to the heater air
outlets and toward the windshield.
DEFROST: This setting directs air toward
the windshield.

3-4 Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning on
and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle when the A/C light is on.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside temperature drops below a level at which air
conditioning is ineffective.
With the A/C on, turn the temperature knob to MAX for
maximum cooling. This setting also puts the system in
the recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner's performance and your vehicle's fuel economy.
RECIRCULATION: Pressing the
RECIRCULATION button limits the amount of outside
dust and odors entering your vehicle. This button will be
automatically disabled anytime the mode knob is turned to
BLEND or DEFROST mode. (The recirculation indicator
light will come on even though the recirculation button is
not selected). This setting also cools the air the fastest.
After the vehicle's interior reaches a comfortable
temperature, turn the temperature knob clockwise, to
place the air conditioning system in the normal mode.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the HEATER or BI
-LEVEL
setting with the temperature knob in the red area.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20
F (
-8
C) or lower, your
heating system will produce warmer air faster, to heat
the passenger compartment in cold weather.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature, and shortens the time it takes the heater to
reach full output. For more information, see
ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use BLEND to keep the windshield
and side windows clear. Use DEFROST to remove fog or
ice from the windshield in extremely humid or cold
conditions. Use DEFROST with the temperature knob
toward the red area and the fan control toward HI.

3-5 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With the side
windows closed, air will flow into the front air inlet grilles,
through the vehicle, and out the air exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running, unless you have the
recirculation button pushed in. For more information on
the recirculation button, see ªAir Conditioningº earlier
in this section.
Your vehicle has air outlets in the center and on the sides
of your instrument panel. You can move the outlets from
side
-to-side or up and down to direct the flow of air, or
close the outlets altogether. When you close an outlet, it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any outlets
that are open. These outlets do not completely shut off
airflow when in the closed position.

3-6
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn
the fan to HI for a few moments before driving.
This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.

The use of hood air deflectors may adversely affect the
performance of the heating and air conditioning system.Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Setting the Clock
Press SET. Within five seconds, press and hold the
SEEK right arrow until the correct minute appears on
the display. Press and hold the SEEK left arrow until the
correct hour appears on the display.