2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE oil change

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 8,600 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.
If your vehicle’s GVWR is not over 8,600 and
you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic – especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
5-24

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
more information on
location.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-47. In addition, you will
nd an ENGINE OVERHEATED, and a REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message in the DIC on the instrument
panel. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-56.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
5-29

4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
at tire.
5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall off, causing a serious accident.
5-90

After rell, the level must be rechecked. Add enough engine oil so that the uid is within the proper operating range.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Engine Oil with Filter
VORTEC™ 4800 V8 VIN V 6.0 quarts† 5.7 L†
VORTEC™ 5300 V8 VIN T 6.0 quarts† 5.7 L†
VORTEC™ 5300 V8 VIN Z (E-85) 6.0 quarts† 5.7 L†
VORTEC™ 6000 V8 VIN U 6.0 quarts† 5.7 L†
VORTEC™ 8100 V8 VIN G 6.5 quarts† 6.1 L†
Fuel Tank Capacity
Tahoe 26.0 gallons 98.4 L
Suburban (1500 Series) 31.0 gallons 117.3 L
Suburban (2500 Series) 37.5 gallons 140.0 L
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
Tahoe 2.71 lbs. 1.23 kg
Suburban 3.0 lbs. 1.36 kg
†Oil lter should be changed at every oil change.
5-120

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench dealer.
6-2

Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10tells you
what should be checked, when to check it and what you
can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-13andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-15. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes on, it
means that service is required for your vehicle. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil
life system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your GM
Goodwrench dealer has GM-trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine GM parts
and reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-17for information on the Engine
Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message appears,
certain services, checks and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally,
it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message comes on within ten months
since vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on ten
months or more since the last service or if the message
has not come on at all for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-17.An Emission Control Service.••
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 5-22.An Emission Control
Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-61.••
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

Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-60
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-57
Side Identication Marker Lamps...................5-57
Taillamps....................................................5-59
Buying New Tires...........................................5-74
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications..........................5-118
Car Washes for QUADRASTEER™
Equipped Vehicles.......................................4-19
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-43, 4-48, 4-65
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-103
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-137
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-138
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-138
Cargo Cover..................................................2-65
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-65
Cassette Tape Messages...............................3-104
CD Adapter Kits............................................3-104
CD Messages.............................3-92, 3-107, 3-122Center Console Storage Area...........................2-63
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-112
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-40
Chains, Tires..................................................5-79
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-69
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-50
Check Engine Light.........................................3-50
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-70
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-70
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-70
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-41
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-17
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-107
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-54
Infants and Young Children...........................1-50
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-62
Older Children.............................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-64
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-67
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-64
3