2001 CHEVROLET C3500 HD automatic transmission fluid

4-38 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
(don't overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system and brake system. Each of these is covered inthis manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only
use it when your vehicle is stationary or anchored.
NOTICE:
Using a power winch with the transmission
in gear may damage the transmission. When
operating a power winch, always leave the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake, or block
the wheels to keep your vehicle from rolling.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-5 Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-7 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-10 Noise Control System
6
-11 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-15 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
6
-17 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-21 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engine)
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-33 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-41 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-59 Electrical System
6
-65 Replacement Bulbs
6
-66 Capacities and Specifications
6
-67 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-9 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
A. Battery
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
D. Coolant Recovery Tank
E. Radiator Pressure CapF. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped)
H. Engine Oil Fill
I. Engine Cooling FanJ. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
N. Underhood Fuse/Relay Center

6-17
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªAutomatic
Transmission Fluidº in the Diesel Supplement.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

6-20 How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a
reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT
area for a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid,
generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON
-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º

When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transmission
doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission fluid.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-6
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Rear Axle Fluid
Change with Extreme Overload, Trailer Towing or
High Speed Use. Fuel Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. If Equipped: Exhaust Gas
Recirculation System Inspection. Gasoline Engine
Only: Evaporative Control System Inspection.
Diesel Engine Only: Crankcase Depression Regulator
Valve (CDRV) System Check.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Gasoline Engine
Only: Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Gasoline Engine
Only: Spark Plug Replacement. Gasoline Engine
Only: Automatic Transmission Service (normal
conditions). Gasoline Engine Only: Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-19
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid
doesn't require change.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Check rear axle fluid level and add fluid as needed.
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Check rear axle fluid level and add fluid as needed.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
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Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-30
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Gasoline Engine Only: Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.

Gasoline Engine Only: Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid
doesn't require change.

Gasoline Engine Only: Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)

Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
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