2003 CHEVROLET C/K transmission fluid

2-14
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Let your engine warm up before you
operate your vehicle under load.

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Use the lowest gear you can when you start
a loaded vehicle in motion and when going
up hills to avoid overloading the engine.

Check and adjust engine and transmission
fluid levels often and be sure tires are
properly inflated for the load you're
carrying.

If you have a Caterpillar
 diesel engine, see
the Caterpillar Diesel Engine Operation
& Maintenance Manual.

2-20 Cold Weather Starting
(Caterpillar

Diesel)
Because the diesel engine uses compression ignition, it
is harder to start in cold weather than a gasoline engine.
The air intake heater and use of the proper engine oil,
optional engine coolant heaters and optional ether
injection systems help cold weather starting. See the
Caterpillar

Diesel Engine Operation & Maintenance
Manual for more information.
NOTICE:
Your diesel engine has an electric air intake
heater system which reduces white smoke and
helps start the engine in cold weather. Do not
spray starting fluid into the air intake where it
can contact the heater elements.
If you don't have the GM Automatic Ether
Injection System, don't use starting fluid or you
could damage your engine. If you have the GM
system, use only GM approved starting fluid that
has been tested to establish compatibility with the
air inlet heater system.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Several factors affect how quickly your diesel engine
warms up. These can include outside temperature,
engine load, idle time and your vehicle's option content.
Your vehicle may be equipped with some features that
can help the engine reach operating temperature sooner.
Some of these features are discussed below.
Also, remember that an automatic transmission adds
heat to the cooling system through the heat exchanger in
the radiator. Because of this, vehicles equipped with
automatic transmissions are often able to retain engine
coolant heat better than manual transmission vehicles.
See your Caterpillar

Operation & Maintenance manual
for additional diesel engine warm
-up information.

2-80 Range Inhibited Warning Indicator
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison
1000/2000/2400 series automatic transmission, a lighted
bar under the current gear selected will flash.
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison MD
automatic transmission, the current gear selected on
the pushbutton display will flash.
The flashing bar or gear selection indicates that
transmission range shifts may not occur.
For detailed information on shift inhibit limitations, see
the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator's Manual
in your vehicle for further information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle has either hydraulic or air brakes.
Each system has different warning lights.
Hydraulic Brake System Warning Lights
Vehicles with hydraulic systems have two brake system
warning lights on the instrument panel.
If the BRAKE warning light
comes on, it means that the
fluid level in the master
cylinder reservoir is low or
there is another problem
with your hydraulic brakes.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
The BRAKE warning light may come on, and the
warning tone may sound, when you're turning and
braking at the same time. This is normal. See ªHydraulic
Brake Systemsº in the Index.

4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.Here are some tips that can make your drive through
steep country safer:

Keep the vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.

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
-4 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
6
-15 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-15 Filling Your Tank
6
-17 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-18 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-20 Noise Control System
6
-21 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engines)
6
-27 Engine Oil (Caterpillar
Diesel Engines)
6
-27 Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel)
6
-30 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-32 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-32 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-34 Rear Axle
6
-34 Rear Axle Shift Motor (Option)
6
-35 Engine Coolant
6
-38 Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)6
-38 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-39 Power Steering Fluid
6
-40 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-41 Brakes
6
-52 Battery
6
-54 Other Service Items
6
-58 Tires
6
-67 Appearance Care
6
-68 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-71 Cleaning the Outside Your Vehicle
6
-75 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-76 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-76 Service Statement
6
-77 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-77 Electrical System
6
-86 Capacities and Specifications
6
-90 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-32
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. See your Allison Automatic Transmission
Operator's Manual to find out when to change your
transmission fluid and filters.
How to Check and What to Use
The Allison Automatic Transmission Operator's Manual
that came with the vehicle shows how to check the
automatic transmission fluid and what fluid to use.
Automatic Transmission External Filter
Your automatic transmission filter requires periodic
replacement.
Consult the Allison Automatic Transmission
Operator's Manual that came with the vehicle for
proper change intervals.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. See your Maintenance Schedule to find out
when to change your transmission fluid.

6-33 How to Check and What to Use
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check to be sure that the lubricant level is up
to the bottom of the fill opening. On heavy duty
transmissions (an inch of oil level equals about
one gallon of fluid.)
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here's how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine the proper fluid to use. See
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of the
fill opening.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.

6-87 Cooling System Capacity
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
C4/C5 Models Quarts (Liters). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1L with manual transmission 30.1 (28.5). . . . . . . .
8.1L with automatic transmission 29.8 (28.2). . . . . .
6.6L with manual transmission 27.6 (26.1). . . . . . . .
6.6L with automatic transmission 27.3 (25.8). . . . . .
C6/C7/C8 Models Quarts (Liters). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1L with manual transmission 33.3 (31.5). . . . . . . .
8.1L with manual transmission,
air conditioning and increased
cooling 34.9 (33.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1L with automatic transmission 32.5 (30.8). . . . . .
7.8L 200
-230 hp engine with
manual transmission 31.6 (29.9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8L 200
-230 hp engine with manual
transmission, air conditioning and
increased cooling 35.3 (33.4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C6/C7/C8 Models Quarts (Liters). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8L 200
-215 hp engine with
automatic transmission 33.7 (31.9). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 175
-230 hp engine with
manual transmission 29.3 (27.7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 175
-230 hp engine with
manual transmission, air conditioning
and increased cooling 33.0 (31.2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 175
-210 hp engine with
automatic transmission 31.4 (29.7). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8L 250
-275 hp engine with
manual transmission 34.9 (33.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8L 250
-275 hp engine with
manual transmission, air conditioning
and increased cooling 35.4 (33.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8L 230
-275 hp engine with automatic
transmission 33.3 (31.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 250
-300 hp engine with manual
transmission 32.8 (31.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 250
-300 hp engine with manual
transmission, air conditioning and
increased cooling 33.3 (31.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2L 250
-300 hp engine with automatic
transmission 31.2 (29.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .