Low Oil Level Light
This light should come on
as a check, when you start
your engine. If the light
fails to come on, have it
repaired as soon as
possible so you will be
aware when the oil level
is low.
If this light comes on and stays on, it means your
engine is low on oil. You need to check the oil level
right away. SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
on page 5-22orEngine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel) on
page 5-22orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-26
for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Light
The change engine oil light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have
it serviced.
If the change engine oil light comes on and stays on
after you start the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information on when to change engine oil
for gasoline engines or DURAMAX
®diesel engines,
seeEngine Oil (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on page 5-22
orEngine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel) on page 5-22or
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-26and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5. To reset the
change engine oil light, seeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-29orEngine Oil Life
System (DURAMAX
®Diesel) on page 5-31orEngine
Oil Life System (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-32.
3-38
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the API service symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine)
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and
not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Light on page 3-38.
Change your oil 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 oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained
service people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-29
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
change engine oil light being turned on, reset the
system.
To reset the change engine oil light, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within 10 seconds.
If the change engine oil light flashes for five seconds,
the system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the engine oil life system has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of
oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
5-30
Engine Oil Life System
(DURAMAX
®Diesel)
When to Change Engine Oil
If your vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System, it has a
computer system that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and filter. This is based on injection timing,
engine load and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Light on page 3-38.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km) or 30 hours of engine operation,
whichever occurs first. It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km), or 150 hours
of engine operation, whichever occurs first, since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a change engine oil
light being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within 10 seconds.
If the change engine oil light flashes for five seconds,
the system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the Engine Oil Life System has
not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-31
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of
oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Oil Life System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
change engine oil light being turned on, reset the
system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully apply and hold the brake pedal while you fully
press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the Engine Oil Life System has
not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-32
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Locate the filter change indicator. When the change
indicator turns black or is in the red/orange change area,
replace the filter and reset the indicator.
To inspect the engine air cleaner/filter, remove the filter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt,
a new filter is required.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/ lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ame if the engine back res. If it is
not there and the engine back res, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/ lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/ lter is off, a back re can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/ lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is checked. See your Allison
Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual to find out
when to change your transmission fluid and filters.
How to Check and What to Use
The Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual
that came with the vehicle shows how to check the
automatic transmission fluid and what fluid to use.
Automatic Transmission External Filter
Your automatic transmission filter requires periodic
replacement.
Consult the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s
Manual that came with the vehicle for proper change
intervals.
5-34
7,500 Miles (12 000 km)
❑Gasoline Engine Only: Check engine oil life system. If
engine oil and filter are changed, reset system. See
“Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)” in the Index.(2) (8)
❑Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).(1) (5)
❑Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).(11)
❑Wheels and tires service.(14)
❑Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(6) (36)
❑Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(21)
❑Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(32)
❑Air brake automatic slack adjuster service (or every
500 hours, whichever occurs first).(33)
❑Check air brake relay valve operation and check for
leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours, whichever
occurs first).
❑Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first). Lubricate
linkage.
❑Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first).(34)
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑7.8L DURAMAX®Diesel Without Engine Oil Life
System Only: Change engine oil and filter (or
every 12 months, or every 600 hours of engine
operation, whichever occurs first).(2)
❑7.8L DURAMAX
®Diesel With Engine Oil Life System
Only: Check oil life system (or every 600 hours of
engine operation, whichever occurs first). If engine oil
and filter are changed, reset system. See “Engine
Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel)” in the Index.(2) (7)
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
❑Gasoline Engine Only: Check engine oil life system. If
engine oil and filter are changed, reset system. See
“Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)” in the Index.(2) (8)
❑6.6L DURAMAX
®Diesel Without Engine Oil Life
System Only: Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, or every 750 hours of engine operation,
whichever occurs first).(2)
❑6.6L DURAMAX
®Diesel With Engine Oil Life System
Only: Check oil life system. If engine oil and filter are
changed, reset system. See “Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®
Diesel)” in the Index.(2) (9)
❑Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).(11)
6-6
22,500 Miles (36 000 km)
❑Gasoline Engine Only: Check engine oil life system. If
engine oil and filter are changed, reset system. See
“Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)” in the Index.(2) (8)
❑Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).(1) (5)
❑Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).(11)
❑Inspect door hinge pins and bushings and replace as
necessary.
❑Cooling system service. Clean the cooling system filter
cap with clean water, clean the core, pressure test the
cap and the system for proper pressure capability, and
inspect condition of cooling and heater hoses and
clamps. Replace hoses if cracked, swollen, or
damaged.
❑Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed).(22) (36)
❑Wheels and tires service.(14)
❑Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(6) (36)❑Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(21)
❑Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).(32)
❑Air brake automatic slack adjuster service (or every
500 hours, whichever occurs first).(33)
❑Check air brake relay valve operation and check for
leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours, whichever
occurs first).
❑Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first). Lubricate
linkage.
❑Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first).(34)
❑Air brake system valve service (or every 3 months, or
every 900 hours, whichever occurs first).(37)
❑Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).(3) (4) (23)
❑Evaporative Control System service, if equipped, (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first).(2) (24) †
❑Rear axle air shift motor service.(10)
6-8