2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO heater

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant condition,
can indicate a serious problem. For more information,
see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
If you get an engine overheat warning and don't have a
low coolant condition, but see or hear no steam, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
·Climb a long hill on a hot day.
·Stop after high speed driving.
·Idle for long periods in traffic.
·Tow a trailer. See ªDriving on Gradesº under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-68.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it's on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving ± AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
Xor
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you're parked. If you still have the warning,
turn off the
engine and get everyone out of the vehicleuntil it
cools down. Also, see ªOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Modeº listed previously in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-35

The coolant level should
be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn't,
you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine ®re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak ®xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again.
The engine cooling fan speed should increase when idle
speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal
down. If it doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner Ð at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
5-37

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

*1Ð Gasoline Engine and Diesel Engine.
*2Ð Gasoline Engine; ECMRPV Ð Diesel Engine.
*3Ð Gasoline Engine; FUEL HT Ð Diesel Engine.
*4Ð Gasoline Engine; ECM I Ð Diesel Engine.
*5Ð IGN/EDU
Fuses Usage
GLOW PLUGDiesel Glow Plugs and Intake
Air Heater
CUST FEED Gasoline Accessory Power
STUD #1Auxiliary Power (Single
Battery and Diesels Only)/
Dual Battery (TP2) Do not
install fuse.
MBECMid Bussed Electrical Center
Power Feed, Front Seats,
Right Doors
BLOWER Front Climate Control Fan
LBECLeft Bussed Electrical Center,
Door Modules, Door Locks,
Auxiliary Power OutletÐRear
Cargo Area and Instrument
Panel
Fuses Usage
STUD 2Accessory Power/Trailer
Wiring Brake Feed
ABS Anti-Lock Brakes
VSES/ECAS Vehicle Stability
IGN A Ignition Power
IGN B Ignition Power
LBEC 1Left Bussed Electrical Center,
Left Doors, Truck Body
Controller, Flasher Module
TRL PARK Parking Lamps Trailer Wiring
RR PARKRight Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
LR PARKLeft Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
PARK LP Parking Lamps Relay
STARTER Starter Relay
INTPARK Interior Lamps
STOP LP Stoplamps
TBC BATTTruck Body Controller Battery
Feed
SUNROOF Sunroof
5-115

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

Tires (cont.)
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-80
Dual Tire Operation.....................................5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-79
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-69
Inspection and Rotation................................5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-75
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-76
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-76
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-73
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-24
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-44
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)...............2-48
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-84
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode, Overdrive Disable....................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode
(Automatic Transmission)..............................2-28
Towing..........................................................4-95
Power Take-Off (PTO)..................................4-95
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-55
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-68
Your Vehicle...............................................4-55
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-70
Traction.........................................................4-10
Assist System (TAS)....................................4-10
Manual Selectable Ride................................4-12
Off Light.....................................................3-46Traction (cont.)
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-85
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-89
Trailer...........................................................4-67
Recommendations.......................................4-67
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE (Allison
Transmission
žOnly).....................................3-71
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive)
Inspection...................................................6-18
Transfer Case........................................5-54, 5-56
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-70
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-25
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-29
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transmission..................................................5-23
Fluid, Automatic..................................5-23, 5-26
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-28
Temperature Gage.......................................3-47
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-43
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-26
Trip Information Button....................................3-55
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-65
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-8
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-71
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-87
17