2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO coolant level

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank for 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 ofclean, drinkable
waterand DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before
you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-35for
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 — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
5-43

{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 would not 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.
5-44

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.
5-45

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-20.An Emission Control Service.••
Allison transmission only: Replace external control-main lter only at the rst
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator (if equipped). If necessary,
replace lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.An Emission Control
Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-74.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transmission uid level and add uid as needed.•
6-5

(g)Add uid as needed. A uid loss could indicate a
problem; repair as needed. Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle GVWR is over 8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-35for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly (if equipped).
Replace as needed.(l)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(m)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
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
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
6-9

At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000
Miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000km)
Check dual wheel nut torque. For proper torque, see
Capacities and Specications on page 5-132.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important 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 5-20for
further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35for 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.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-74for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. Push, pull and then try to rotate or turn
the spare tire. If it moves, tighten it. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 5-93.
6-10

C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications..........................5-132
Car Washes for QUADRASTEER™
Equipped Vehicles.......................................4-17
Carbon Monoxide...................2-15, 2-53, 4-46, 4-70
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-117
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-129
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-130
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-130
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
CARGO LAMP ON.........................................3-65
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-97
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-97
CD Messages...............................3-86, 3-99, 3-113
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-68
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-68
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-126
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-91
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-66
Check Engine Light.........................................3-48
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-65CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-65
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-50
Checking Coolant............................................5-36
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-20
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-120
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-47
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System................................1-48, 1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (Crew Cab)..........................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Regular and
Extended Cab).........................................1-61
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
3

Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-130
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle.................................5-114
Outside of Your Vehicle..............................5-117
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-120
Weatherstrips............................................5-117
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-119
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses......................5-118
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet...................................5-114
Cleaning Glass Surfaces................................5-116
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components...............5-116
Cleaning Leather...........................................5-116
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-58, 2-60
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel.........5-116
Cleaning the Video Screen.............................3-125
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.......5-119
Cleaning Tires..............................................5-119
Cleaning Vinyl..............................................5-116
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Dual..........................................................3-22
Dual Automatic............................................3-25
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-34
Compass Calibration...............................2-57, 2-59
Compass Operation.........................................2-59
Compass Variance..................................2-56, 2-59
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-20Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-46
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-38
Cooling System..............................................5-41
Crew Cab......................................................1-56
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-51
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-67
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information
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.......7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
4