2003 CHEVROLET C/K warning

6-31
The restriction indicator
is located in the engine
compartment near the
engine air cleaner/filter,
on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
When the yellow indicator reaches the red ring in the
sight glass, it's time to service the engine air
cleaner/filter.
After the engine air cleaner/filter is properly serviced,
the indicator can be reset by pressing the button on top
of the indicator.
CAUTION:
Gasoline Engines Only: 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:
Gasoline Engines Only: 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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional instrument
panel mounted air filter restriction indicator. See ªWarning
Lights, Gages and Indicatorsº in the Index.

6-35
Engine Coolant
If your vehicle has a Caterpillar diesel engine, the
Caterpillar Operation & Maintenance Manual provided
with your vehicle has information regarding the proper
coolant to use.
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 252F (122C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-36 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-37 Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD
FILL mark or higher.
If the low coolant light
comes on and stays on,
it means you're low on
engine coolant.
See ªLights, Low Coolant Warning Lightº in the Index
for further information.

6-39
Power Steering Fluid
See your Maintenance Schedule for when to check your
power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine isn't warm, you probably won't get
an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is
between the MIN and
MAX marks, you have
enough. If you need
fluid, add only enough
of the proper fluid to
bring it into view in
the sight glass.If your power steering fluid level is low, this can cause
the BRAKE or service brake soon warning lights to
come on. If either light remains on after you have added
power steering fluid to the proper level, then shut off the
engine for 10 seconds. This should reset the brake
warning lights. If one or both lights stay on though, see
ªHydraulic Brake Warning Lightsº in the Index.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.

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.

6-66 Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, replace the wheel. If
the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
CAUTION:
A leaking wheel could fail without warning. A
wheel designed for tubeless tires could be leaking
because it is damaged. Don't use an inner tube or
some other thing to try to stop the leaking. Get a
new wheel of the proper type.
CAUTION:
Without the correct wheel, you may not be able
to stop properly, and you could have other
problems like a tire air
-out. You could have a
collision. If you don't go to your dealer to get a
new wheel, be sure you get the correct one. Each
new wheel should match the original wheel in
load
-carrying capacity, inflation pressure
capacity, diameter, width, offset and mounting
configuration.
Using wheels and tires with higher load-carrying limits
than the original wheels and tires doesn't change the
GAWR or the GVWR of your vehicle.

6-67
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can cause trouble in bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, stopping distance and
tire clearance to the body and chassis. You could
also have other problems like a tire air
-out.
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how many miles it's been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer's warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:

Gasoline

Benzene

Naphtha

Carbon Tetrachloride

Acetone

Paint Thinner

Turpentine

Lacquer Thinner

Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.