2003 CHEVROLET C/K maintenance

6-41
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes, there's a brake
master cylinder. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to check your brake fluid.
CAUTION:
Don't add brake fluid before you check the level.
If you do, you could get too much brake fluid.
Brake fluid could spill on the hot engine and it
can catch fire. You could be burned and your
vehicle could be damaged. See ªChecking Brake
Fluidº in this section.

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What to Add
Use the proper fluid listed in your Maintenance
Schedule. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap/cover and the
area around the cap/cover before removing it. This will
help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid, and don't use DOT
-5
silicone brake fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

6-46 Air Brake Systems (If Equipped)
If you have air brakes, it is important to get rid of
moisture in the system. Moisture will damage your
system if it isn't removed daily.
There are two ways to do this. One is automatic if your
air
-brake vehicle has the optional moisture ejector.
If your vehicle doesn't have that option, however, you
must drain the air reservoirs occasionally to be sure the
air dryer is working properly.
Drain the air brakes at full system pressure. To be sure
you're at full pressure, check your air pressure gage.
It should read at least 100 psi (692 kPa).
Moisture Ejector (Option)
If you have air brakes with a moisture ejector, the valve
automatically ejects moisture from the reserve tank
when the air compressor cycles.
Air Dryer
If your vehicle has air brakes, you have an air dryer.
This collects and removes dirt, moisture or other foreign
matter from the air prior to entering the brake system.
It is mounted on the passenger's side frame rail.
If your dryer is a Bendix
-Westinghouse, it has a
filter that you need to change at intervals. See your
Maintenance Schedule for more about servicing
this filter.

6-47 Electric Air Compressor (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an electric air
compressor. This compressor is used to run options that
require pressurized air, such as an air horn, air seat,
exhaust restrictor or an exhaust brake.
This air compressor is used when vehicles are not
equipped with an air brake system.
The air supply for this
system must be maintained
by releasing the drain
valve to eject any moisture
that may have built up in
the system.
It is recommended that this system be drained on a
weekly basis.
Clutch Pedal Free Travel
If you have a manual transmission, your clutch will need
adjustment when pedal free travel gets down to about
1/4 inch (32 mm), as measured at the clutch pedal pad.
You should have 1 1/2 to 2 inches (38 to 51 mm) of
clutch pedal free travel. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in
the Index for more information.
If your clutch ever needs service, be sure to use only
genuine GM clutch replacement parts.
Chassis Lubrication
Your Maintenance Schedule provides all of the required
chassis lubrication intervals and identifies proper
lubricants to use. Be sure to see your Maintenance
Schedule before performing any chassis lubrication
service. To determine location of chassis lubrication
items, use the following charts.

6-52
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with one or more maintenance
free ACDelco
batteries. When it's time for a new
battery, be sure it has the replacement number shown
on the original battery's label. We recommend an
ACDelco battery.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down. (If your vehicle has more than one battery, be
sure to remove the negative (
-) battery cable from
each battery.)
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
When you are ready to use the vehicle again, refer to the
engine starting procedure in the Index.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.

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Other Service Items
Fuel Filter (Gasoline Engines)
The steel fuel filter is located near the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
See your Maintenance Schedule for recommended
service intervals.If your vehicle is equipped with the optional Davco
spin
-on type filter, it is located on the driver's side
frame rail.
Fuel Filter (Diesel Engines)
If you have a diesel engine, your fuel filter is located in
the engine compartment on the driver's side of the
vehicle, or along the driver's side frame rail. See ªFuel
Filter Replacementº earlier in this section for further
information.
Also see your Maintenance Schedule for recommended
service intervals.

6-57 Front Wheel Bearings with Oil-Filled Hubs
If your vehicle has oil-filled
hubs, occasionally check to
see if they have enough oil.
You can tell if there is oil
there by using the circular
gage on the sight glass.
If there isn't, clean the rubber fill plug in the center of
the glass, and then remove it. Be careful not to allow
any dirt or water to get into the oil. Add enough of the
recommended oil to bring it up to the level mark that
you'll see on the glass.Refer to your Maintenance Schedule for the proper
oil to use.
When you fill the hub, check the glass again after
driving a short distance. It takes a while for the oil to
flow through the system, and you may find that you
have to add a little more to fill it to the proper level. Be
sure not to overfill the hub.
Air Conditioning System
Every now and then, have your dealership check your
air conditioning system to be sure it has not lost any
cooling ability. If you think the system is not working
properly, have your GM dealer check it out as soon
as possible.

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CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become
loose after a time. The wheel could come off and
cause a crash. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from the places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you need
to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
How Often to Check
Wheel tightness is so important you should have a
technician check nut tightness on all wheels with a
torque wrench after your first 100 miles (160 km), and
then 1,000 miles (1 600 km) after that. Be sure to repeat
this service whenever you have a tire removed or
serviced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index for
further information.