Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-5
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Rear Heating System....................................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-26
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-28Charging System Light..................................3-30
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-30
Service Transmission Warning Light................3-31
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator......................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Parking Brake Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-34
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-36
Wait to Start Indicator...................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-37
Low Oil Level Light.......................................3-38
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-39
Engine Overspeed Warning Light....................3-39
Engine Shutdown Warning Light.....................3-39
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-40
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light.........................3-40
Differential Lock Indicator Light.......................3-40
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-41
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
This switchbank is located in the center of the instrument
panel.
e(Marker Lamp Defeat Switch):See “Marker Lamp
Defeat Switch” underExterior Lamps on page 3-13.
j(Manual High Idle Switch):See “Manual High Idle
System” underStarting Your Diesel Engine on
page 2-14.
i(Traction Control Switch):SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-11.
f(Outside Heated Mirror Switch):SeeOutside
Heated Mirrors on page 2-41.
g(Power Take Off Switch):SeePower Take-Off
(PTO) on page 4-36.
h(Rear Air Suspension Dump Control
Switch):See “Rear Air Suspension Dump Control”
underTwo-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control
on page 2-26.
k(Rear Axle Shift Control Switch):See “Air Shift
Control” (Automatic Transmission) underTwo-Speed
Rear Axle Electric Shift Control on page 2-26.
Exhaust Brake Switch:SeeDiesel Engine Exhaust
Brake on page 2-25.
l(Differential Lock Control Switch):SeeRear
Axle Differential Lock Control on page 4-10.
cd(Air Bag Off Switch):SeeAir Bag Off Switch
on page 1-55.
If your vehicle does not have some of the features
controlled by these switches, there will be a blank switch
marker in its place.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets, you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
The accessory power outlets are located on the
passenger’s side of the instrument panel.
To use an outlet, pull the cover down. When not using
it, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have
maximum current levels.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-17
Transmission Temperature Gage
If you have an automatic
transmission, this gage is
located above the
switchbank in the center of
the instrument panel.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission oil. A reading in the
warning zone, the red area beginning at 300°F (150°C),
means you must stop driving and check into the
cause. One possible cause is a low oil level in the
transmission.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service.
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light
If your vehicle is equipped
with an exhaust brake, you
will have this light,
located above the comfort
controls in the center of
the instrument panel.
The exhaust brake indicator light will come on and stay
on whenever the diesel engine exhaust brake or
exhaust restrictor is active. For more information, see
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake on page 2-25.
Differential Lock Indicator Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light is located
in the center of the
instrument panel. The light
is on when the inter-axle
differential lock system
is in use.
The light will come on momentarily during starting. If the
light fails to come on, have it repaired as soon as
possible so you will be aware when the lock system is
in use.
3-40
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve......................4-9
Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control...................4-10
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control..................4-10
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-17Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-23
Winter Driving..............................................4-25
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-29
Towing..........................................................4-31
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Trailer Connections (C4/C5 Models Only).........4-35
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-36
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1
Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control
If you vehicle has this
feature, the switch is
located in the center of the
instrument panel.
If you’re approaching a slippery surface where it looks
like one or even all of the wheels may start to slip,
you can press the bottom of this switch. It locks your
rear differentials so that power is transmitted equally to
both rear axles.
Let up on the accelerator before you turn on your
inter-axle differential lock. When you turn on this control,
the DIFF LOCK indicator on the center of the instrument
panel will light.
Notice:Turning on the inter-axle differential lock
while the rear wheels are spinning freely, as
they might on snow or ice, can damage the axle(s).
Turn on this control only while the wheels are
not spinning freely.
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control
If your vehicle has a
controlled traction or
locking differential axle, the
switch is located in the
center of the instrument
panel. You’ll see this
control on single rear axle
vehicles.
If you’re approaching a slippery surface where it looks
like one or even both wheels may start to slip, you
can press the bottom of this switch. It locks your rear
differential so that power is transmitted equally to
both rear wheels.
Let up on the accelerator before you turn on your rear
axle differential lock.
Notice:Turning on the inter-axle differential lock
while the rear wheels are spinning freely, as
they might on snow or ice, can damage the axle(s).
Turn on this control only while the wheels are
not spinning freely.
4-10
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to check the lubricant and when to change it.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart C: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-29.
Rear Axle Shift Motor
When to Check and Change Fluid
If you have an optional air-shift two-speed, controlled
traction, or locking differential type rear axle, a good time
to check the fluid level in the axle shift motor is when
the rear axle lubricant is checked. Use refrigerant
oil (shift motor only).
How to Check Fluid
Remove the plug on the front plate of the axle shift
motor, add enough fluid to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole, then replace the plug.
What to Use
Refer to your Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart C: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-29.
5-61
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-56
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Low Warning Light.......................................3-36
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-35
Cooling System..............................................5-38
Cooling System Capacity.................................5-94
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms.................. 7-8
Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-3
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors...... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government.............................................. 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government.................................... 7-6
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-4
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-7
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light.............3-41
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-20
Defroster Check..............................................6-27
Diesel Engine
Exhaust Brake............................................2-25
Fuel............................................................ 5-8
Starting......................................................2-14
Starting Your DURAMAX™...........................2-19
Diesel Engine Warm-Up...................................2-16
Differential Lock Control, Inter-Axle....................4-10
Differential Lock Control, Rear Axle...................4-10
Differential Lock Indicator Light.........................3-40
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamps.................................................3-15
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Door Latches Check........................................6-27
Double-Clutching.............................................2-30
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-23
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-25
4
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-37
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-36
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-27
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-29
If Your Diesel Engine Won’t Start......................2-20
Ignition Positions.............................................2-12
Illuminated Entry.............................................3-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................5-68
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Switchbank.................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness Control..................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-88
Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control.....................4-10
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-56
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-28
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-13
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lamps Check.................................................6-27
Lap Belt........................................................1-22
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-13
Light
Air Bag Off .................................................3-28
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-34
Brake System Warning.................................3-31
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-30
Check Gages Warning.................................3-42
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator..................3-41
8