2001 CHEVROLET C3500 HD heater

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-5 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-10 Theft
2
-11 Passlock

2-11 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-12 Ignition Positions
2
-13 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2
-15 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-16 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-19 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-22 Parking Brake
2
-23 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-25 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-26 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-26 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-27 Engine Exhaust
2
-27 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-28 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2
-29 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-34 Exterior Lamps
2
-36 Interior Lamps
2
-38 Mirrors
2
-41 Storage Compartments
2
-44 Instrument Panel - Your Information System
2
-46 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-48 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-15
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F
(
-18
C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can
help. You'll get easier
starting and better fuel
economy during engine
warm
-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater electrical cord is located
on the driver's side of the engine compartment, near
the power steering reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. 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 don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Heater Control System
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.Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area of
your vehicle. This knob will allow you to adjust the air
temperature independently of the fan 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 outlets and instrument panel outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs air through the
floor outlets.
BLEND: This setting directs air to the heater
outlets and toward the windshield.
DEFROST: This setting directs air toward
the windshield.

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.

4-27
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery (or batteries) charged. You will need a
well
-charged battery (or batteries) to restart the vehicle,
and possibly for signaling later on with your headlamps.
Let the heater run for a while.
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it at a
higher speed to get enough heat. Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost all the way to preserve
the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only
when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold.
But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long
as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every
half hour or so until help comes.