{CAUTION:
A child restraint cannot be secured properly in
an air-suspension type seat. This is because
an air-suspension seat is designed to move up
and down for an adult passenger. Don’t use a
child restraint in an air-suspension seat.
If your vehicle is a regular cab model with a static seat
in the right front passenger’s position, or if it has a
bench seat, the child restraint must be secured properly
in the right front passenger’s seat. If your vehicle has
air bags and you need to secure a child restraint in the
right front passenger’s seat, there is a switch on the
instrument panel that you can use to turn off the
passenger’s air bag. SeeAir Bag Off Switch on
page 1-55andSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position on page 1-43for more on this,
including important safety information.
Unless the passenger’s air bag has been turned off,
never put a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle.
Here is why:
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the passenger’s air
bag in ates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the in ating air bag. Do not use a
rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle unless
the passenger’s air bag has been turned off.
Even though the air bag off switch is designed
to turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee
that an air bag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned
off. We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be transported in vehicles with a
rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, whenever possible.
If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in
the right front static seat or right front bench
seat, always move the passenger seat as far
back as it will go.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can
move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle – even when no child is in it.
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Where to Put the Restraint
(Crew Cab Models)
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We
recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear
seat position, including an infant riding in a rear-racing
infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child
seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
If your vehicle has air bags and you need to secure a
child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat, there is
a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to
turn off the passenger’s air bag. SeeAir Bag Off Switch
on page 1-55andSecuring a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position on page 1-43for more on this,
including important safety information.
Unless the passenger’s air bag has been turned off,
never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front
seat position. Here is why:
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag in ates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the in ating air bag. Be
sure to turn off the air bag before using a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat
position.
Even though the air bag off switch is designed
to turn off the passenger’s air bag, no system
is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an
air bag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
General Motors recommends that rear-facing
child restraints be secured in the rear seat,
even if the air bag is off.
If your secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front static seat or right front
bench seat, always move the front passenger
seat as far back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
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Express-Down Feature
The driver’s window also has an express-down feature
that allows the window to be lowered without holding
down the switch. Press and hold the rear of the window
switch labeled AUTO for one second to activate the
express-down mode.
The express-down mode can be cancelled at any time
by pressing the front of the switch. To open the
window part way, lightly tap the switch until the window
is at the desired position.
Lockout Feature
If you have a crew cab model with power windows, the
driver’s door will have a window lockout feature.
When engaged, this feature will prevent all window
switches, except the driver’s window switches,
from operating. This switch is located above the four
window switches on the driver’s door. When the switch
is not engaged, all windows will return to normal
operation.
Sliding Rear Window
To open the sliding rear window, pull the latch toward
the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To close the window, slide the window toward the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. The latch will
automatically lock into place. Try to open the window
without releasing the latch to be sure the window
is in the locked position.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them out to block glare from the side.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities,
and even commercial vehicles are no exception.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
2-10
Gasoline Engine Warm-Up
When you’ve started your engine, let it run for
20 or 30 seconds to warm up before you put a load on
the engine.
Drive at moderate speeds for the first few miles,
especially in cold weather. Running a cold engine at
high speed can damage it. SeeHigh Idle Systemunder
Starting Your Diesel Engine on page 2-14
Restarting the Gasoline Engine While
Moving (Automatic Transmission)
If you have to restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, you’ll first have to shift the automatic
transmission to NEUTRAL (N). This safety feature
prevents starting the engine when the transmission is in
a drive gear.
Stopping the Gasoline Engine
Let your engine idle for a few seconds before turning it
off after you have finished driving your vehicle.
If you shift to NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), set the
parking brake.
If your vehicle has a two-speed axle, put the range
selector in LOW. To be sure the axle has shifted into
LOW, engage the clutch and transmission; the vehicle
may move slightly when you do this.While your engine is idling before you turn it off, you
can make a list of any operational or handling concerns
to give to responsible maintenance personnel so
they can handle them right away.
Moisture will condense in a fuel tank that is almost
empty if the engine has not run for a while, even just
overnight under some conditions. So, it’s always best to
refuel your vehicle at the end of each run.
Starting Your Diesel Engine
If you have a Caterpillar®diesel engine, also refer to
your Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for starting procedure.
For vehicles with the DURAMAX™ diesel engine, also
seeStarting Your DURAMAX™ Diesel Engine on
page 2-19.
To make starting easier in cold weather (below 32°F or
0°C), the proper viscosity engine oil should be used.
SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-20orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20
orEngine Oil (DURAMAX™ Diesel) on page 5-25. It’s
also best to heat the engine oil first. You can do this by
using an engine coolant heater.
If you ever need to have your vehicle towed, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
2-14
To set the hand lever parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Pull up on
the handle with your right hand, until it stops.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is set, the
brake system warning light will come on.
To release the foot pedal parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down. Pull the brake release handle,
located just above the parking brake pedal, to release
the parking brake.
To release the hand lever parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down and push down on the handle
until it stops.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Propshaft Park Brake Burnish
Procedure
It is recommended that the propshaft-mounted parking
brake be burnished as part of the new vehicle
break-in. The parking brake will work best after it has
been burnished following these instructions:
Make 10 stops, using the parking brake hand lever or
foot pedal, from 20 mph (32 km/h) about 2 1/2 miles
(4 km) apart. Between stops, drive the vehicle at 20 mph
(32 km/h) to allow the brake to cool.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
damage the transmission and brake system parts.
Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
Rear Wheel Park Brake Burnish
Procedure
It is recommended that the rear wheel mounted parking
brake be burnished as part of the new vehicle
break-in. The parking brake will work best after it has
been burnished following these instructions:
Make one or two stops using the parking brake hand
lever of foot pedal from 55 mph (92 km/h) to a stop with
moderate apply. Each stop should occur within 1/4 of
a mile.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-34
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the controls will look
like this:
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
<(Maximum Air Conditioning):Turn the right knob
to this setting for maximum cooling. This setting puts
the system in recirculation mode and helps to maximize
your air conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s
fuel economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest.
Y(Air Conditioning):This setting is used for normal
cooling on hot days. It cools outside air and directs
it through the instrument panel vents.
)(Bi-Level Air Conditioning):This setting divides
airflow between the floor vents and instrument panel
vents. The air conditioning compressor will cycle
continuously in this setting as long as the outside
temperature is warm enough to activate the compressor.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control is used properly.
There are two modes to clear fog or frost from your
windshield and side windows.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more
quickly. For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
3-20
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle
has been driven since you last set the trip odometer
to zero.
While the engine is running, press the reset button,
located to the right of the trip odometer, to toggle
between the trip odometer and the regular odometer.
Holding the reset button for two seconds while the
engine is running and the trip odometer is displayed,
will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
Engine Speed Limiting
All engines have electronic engine speed limiting.
The engine limited speeds range between
2,900 and 4,400 rpm depending on engine
option content.
Engine Road Speed Governor
This system controls maximum vehicle speed
automatically and reduces engine power until vehicle
speed gets down to maximum governed speed.
A 75 mph (120 km/h) road speed governor is standard
for most models, but can be programmed to any
speed below that default setting. Other models have a
default setting of 80 to 85 mph (128 to 136 km/h).
You may have a label on the headliner of your vehicle
with more information on your engine road speed
governor. See your dealer for assistance with
programming your engine limited speed.
3-25
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
If this light comes on or
flashes while you are
driving, two things may
happen.
First, you will not notice any difference in engine
performance, but your tail pipe emissions may increase.
Second, your engine may not run properly or may
stall without warning. If either of these things happen,
drive or tow your vehicle to your dealer for service.
This light should come on when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running, as a check to show you
it is working. If it does not come on at all, have
it repaired.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage, on the lower right portion
of your instrument panel cluster, shows engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or in kPa
(kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings of
30 to 40 psi (205 to 275 kPa) on gasoline engines at
operating temperature and moderate road speeds
are normal. If you have a diesel engine, the normal
operating range should be between 35 and 70 psi
(240 to 480 kPa).
United StatesCanada
3-37