2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO coolant level

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank Gasoline Engines
If you haven't found a problem yet, check to see if coolant
is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible but the
coolant level isn't at or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOLžcoolant at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See
Engine
Coolant on page 5-30for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap Ð even a little Ð they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.{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
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-38

CAUTION: (Continued)
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 ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.1. Park the vehicle on a
level surface. You can
remove the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling
system, including
the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot.
2. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise (left)
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
3. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-39

4. Then ®ll the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark.5. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5-40

Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid, follow
the manufacturer's instructions for adding
water.
·Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn't
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid 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
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is ®lled with DOT-3
brake ¯uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that the
brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the ¯uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system ®xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to ªtop offº your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid will not correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
5-44

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals speci®ed to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000
Miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000km)
Check dual wheel nut torque. For proper torque, seeCapacities and Speci®cations on page 5-118.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-30for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer ¯uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper ¯uid if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-43for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire In¯ation Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
in¯ated to the correct pressures. Don't forget to check
your spare tire. See
Tires on page 5-69for further
details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-71for further details.
6-12

Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Taillamps....................................................5-65
Buying New Tires...........................................5-74
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-118
Car Washes for QUADRASTEERŸ Equipped
Vehicles.....................................................4-18
Carbon Monoxide...................4-48, 4-68, 2-13, 2-51
Care of........................................................5-103
Safety Belts..............................................5-103
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-123
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-124
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-124
CARGO LAMP ON.........................................3-65
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-94
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-12
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-95
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-65
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-63
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-112
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24Chains, Tires..................................................5-78
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-66
Check Engine Light.........................................3-49
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-66
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-66
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-45
Checking Coolant............................................5-32
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-8
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-81
Check...........................................................3-49
Engine Light...............................................3-49
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints..............................................1-38
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-47
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...................................1-55, 1-58
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-44
3

Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-125
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels . . . 5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses......................5-104
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet...................................5-100
Cleaning Glass Surfaces................................5-102
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components...............5-102
Cleaning Leather...........................................5-102
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-56
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel.........5-102
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.......5-104
Cleaning Tires..............................................5-105
Cleaning Vinyl..............................................5-101
Cleaning......................................................5-100
Inside of Your Vehicle.................................5-100
Outside of Your Vehicle..............................5-103
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-106
Video Screen............................................3-125
Weatherstrips............................................5-103
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Dual Automatic............................................3-25
Dual..........................................................3-22
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-29
Compact Disc Messages................3-84, 3-97, 3-110
Compass Calibration...............................2-56, 2-57
Compass Operation.........................................2-57Compass Variance..................................2-55, 2-58
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant.........................................................3-47
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-47
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-33
Cooling System..............................................5-36
Crew Cab......................................................1-53
Cruise Control Light........................................3-52
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-64
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-10
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-9
4

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-109
Electrochromic Mirror Operation................2-54, 2-57
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-41
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-51
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-12
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-35
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-12
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66
Engine..........................................................5-21
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-49
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-47
Coolant......................................................5-30
Cooling System Inspection............................6-17
Exhaust.....................................................2-51
Fan Noise..................................................5-41
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-33Engine (cont.)
Starting......................................................2-22
Entertainment System....................................3-125
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-125
DVD Distortion..........................................3-122
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-25
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Express Down Windows..................................2-16
Extended Cab and Crew Cab...........................1-50
Extended Cab................................................1-53
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a PTY Station
(RDS and XMŸ).......................3-78, 3-88, 3-101
Finding a Station....................3-73, 3-76, 3-86, 3-99
Finish Care..................................................5-104
Finish Damage.............................................5-106
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines)........................................2-30
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 6000 V8 Engine)...........2-29
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-125
6