2006 CHEVROLET DURAMAX engine coolant

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
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.
{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 DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, fuel operated heater (FOH),
heater core and other parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant mixture.
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{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
components in the engine compartment.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol, and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do not
spill coolant on a hot engine or components in
the engine compartment.
When the coolant in the coolant surge tank is at the
COLD FILL mark, start your vehicle.1. 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. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full turn.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
up to the FULL COLD mark. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-34
4. 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. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-21. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-24.An Emission Control
Service.••
Allison Transmission
®only: Replace external transmission filter at the first
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (a).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter or change indicator, if equipped. If necessary,
replace filter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.See footnote (b).•
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in your owner manual. See “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once
a Month on page 6-12.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (c).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (d).•
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(n)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(p)Change automatic transmission uid and external
transmission 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.
(q)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(r)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-34 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
van model fuel operated heater (if equipped), pressure
cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap. For van models, see Fuel Operated
Heater (FOH) (Van Models Only) on page 2-8.
(s)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specified 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 fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
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 5-21for 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.
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Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-34for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir and add the proper fluid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they
are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. See “Tires” in your owner manual
for further details. Check to make sure the spare tire
is stored securely. See “Changing a Flat Tire” in
your owner manual.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in
your owner manual.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See “Parking Brake” in your owner manual.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
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Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number, or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oils with the letters CI-4 or
CH-4 are best for your vehicle.
The CI-4 or CH-4 designation
may appear either alone, or in
combination with other API
designations, such as API CI-4/SL.
These letters show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality. GM Goodwrench
®oil meets
all the requirements for your vehicle.
To determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s diesel engine, see
Engine Oil on page 5-21.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-34.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Windshield
WasherGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Van Models:
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Pickup Models:
Hydraulic
Clutch System
(5-Speed
Trans.)Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345347, in
Canada 10953517) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid.
Pickup Models:
Hydraulic
Clutch System
(6-Speed
Trans.)Hydraulic Clutch Fluid. Use only
GM Part No. U.S. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244, Super DOT-4
brake fluid.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Pickup Models:
Manual
Transmission
(5-Speed
with Low Gear,
RPO MW3)GM Goodwrench
®Synthetic
Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in
Canada 10953477) or equivalent
SAE 75W-85 GL-4 gear oil.
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A
Automatic Transmission, Fluid...........................5-29
C
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specifications
Specification Charts.....................................5-50
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-34
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-39
Cooling System..............................................5-41
D
Diesel
Engine Fuel.................................................. 5-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-17
Filling Your Tank..........................................5-15Diesel (cont.)
Fuel Requirements and Fuel System................ 5-2
Running Out of Fuel....................................5-11
Very Cold Weather Operation.......................... 5-5
Water in Fuel............................................... 5-5
Water in Fuel Light Chart............................... 5-6
What Fuel to Use.......................................... 5-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................... 3-9
E
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Compartment Overview................................5-18
Coolant......................................................5-34
Oil .............................................................5-21
Overheating................................................5-39
Reduced Power Light.................................... 3-7
Engine Coolant Heater...................................... 2-8
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M
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-12
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................ 3-4
O
Oil, Engine.....................................................5-21
Oil Pressure Gage............................................ 3-6
Overheating, Engine........................................5-39
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Power
Reduced Engine Light.................................... 3-7
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-39
Reduced Engine Power Light............................. 3-7
Running Out of Fuel........................................5-11
S
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Specification Charts.........................................5-50
Starting the Diesel Engine................................. 2-2
Surge Tank Pressure Cap, Coolant....................5-39
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