2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE Owners Manual

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-11

Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-21
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-39
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-110
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-24
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)..................3-80, 3-84, 3-96, 3-111
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-38
Air Bag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-42
Readiness Light..........................................3-42
Air Bag Systems.....................................1-74, 1-81
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle...............................1-89
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-82
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-84
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-88
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-81
What Will You See After an Air
Bag Inates?...........................................1-82
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-80
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-77
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-31
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-50All-Wheel Drive with Stabilitrak
®........................2-35
AM .............................................................3-137
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-78
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-139
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-139
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-46
Appearance Care..........................................5-100
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-103
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-107
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle..............5-101
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle............5-104
Finish Damage..........................................5-107
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-106
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-107
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-108
Weatherstrips............................................5-103
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-30
Ashtrays........................................................3-21
Audio Output................................................3-125
Audio System(s).............................................3-76
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-78
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-136
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-137
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-138
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-138
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-139
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-139
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-92
Radio with CD............................................3-81
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-108
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-134
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-77
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-77
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-135
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-137
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-139
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..........2-46, 2-49
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Level Control...................................4-64
Automatic Transfer Case..................................2-30
Automatic Transmission...................................2-41
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-26
Autoride™.....................................................4-64
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-18
B
Backing Up....................................................4-75
Battery..........................................................5-44
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-69
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-20
Battery Warning Light......................................3-44
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-45
Before You Drive...........................................3-123
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-25
Bench Seat....................................................1-18
Bench Seat Split (50/50)..................................1-13
Bench Seat, Split (60/40).................................1-11
Brake
Parking......................................................2-38
System Warning Light..................................3-45
Brake Adjustment............................................5-43
Brake Fluid....................................................5-40
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-24
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-43
Brake Wear...................................................5-42
Brakes..........................................................5-40
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bucket Seats, Rear.........................................1-23
BUCKLE PASSENGER....................................3-69
BUCKLE SEATBELT.......................................3-69
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-56
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
Headlamps.................................................5-54
2

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

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-69
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-70
Top Strap...................................................1-58
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-59
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-57
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-139
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle.................................5-101
Outside of Your Vehicle..............................5-104
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-107
Weatherstrips............................................5-103
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels . . . 5-106
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses......................5-104
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet...................................5-101
Cleaning Glass Surfaces................................5-103
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components...............5-103
Cleaning Leather...........................................5-102
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-48, 2-51
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel.........5-103
Cleaning the Video Screen.............................3-133
Cleaning the Windshield, Backglass and
Wiper Blades............................................5-105
Cleaning Tires..............................................5-106
Cleaning Vinyl..............................................5-102Climate Control System...................................3-22
Dual..........................................................3-23
Dual Automatic............................................3-27
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System......3-35
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System, Electronic....................................3-37
Rear Air Conditioning System........................3-34
Compass Calibration...............................2-48, 2-50
Compass Operation.........................................2-49
Compass Variance..................................2-47, 2-50
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-65
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-47
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-54
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-63
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
4

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
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
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-25, 3-32
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Dinghy Towing................................................4-56
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-57
Dome Lamps.................................................3-20
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-31
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-70
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-56
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-56
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-68
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-39
City...........................................................4-43
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-44
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-46
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-40
Off-Road....................................................4-23
Winter........................................................4-48
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-35
Driving Downhill..............................................4-34
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-37
Driving in Water..............................................4-38
Driving On Grades..........................................4-76
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-30
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-48
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-42
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-42
Driving Uphill..................................................4-31
5

Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-74
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-27
Dual Climate Control System............................3-23
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-123
DVD Distortion..............................................3-133
DVD Messages.............................................3-133
DVD Player..................................................3-126
E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-68
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-110
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-110
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-110
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-52
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-44
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-50
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-47
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14Engine (cont.)
Exhaust.....................................................2-43
Fan Noise..................................................5-37
Oil .............................................................5-17
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-23
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-70
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-41
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-20
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-70
Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seats.............1-10
Entry Lighting.................................................3-19
Environmental Concerns..................................4-27
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-61
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-19
Express-Down Windows...................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-47
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).......................3-85, 3-97, 3-112
Finding a Station..................3-78, 3-83, 3-95, 3-110
Finish Care..................................................5-104
6