Page 4 of 100
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
Starting the Diesel Engine
Your diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline
engine.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position — that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
(Pickup Models Only)
Move your shift lever to neutral and hold the clutch pedal
to the floor while starting the engine. Your vehicle won’t
start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down — that’s
a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. Turn your ignition key to RUN.
Observe the wait to start light. SeeWait to Start
Light on page 3-7. This light may not come on if
the engine is hot.
2. As soon as the wait to start light goes off,
immediately turn the ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let go of the key.
Your engine has a fast warm-up glow plug system.
The wait to start light will illuminate for a much
shorter time than most diesel engines, due to the
rapid heating of the glow plug system.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
Notice:If the wait to start light stays on after
starting your vehicle, your vehicle may not run
properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of
cranking, turn the ignition key to LOCK. Wait
one minute for the starter to cool, then try the
same steps again.
If you’re trying to start your engine after you’ve run
out of fuel, follow the steps inRunning Out of Fuel
on page 5-11.
2-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 7 of 100
The high idle speed will be temporarily interrupted
and the engine speed will return to normal if any of
the following conditions occur:
•The brake pedal is applied.
•The accelerator pedal is pressed.
•The automatic transmission is shifted out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
•The clutch pedal on the manual transmission is
pressed (pickup models).
•Vehicle speed is detected.
Once these inputs are removed, the engine idle speed
will slowly ramp back up to high idle after the normal
delay, if the conditions for engine coolant temperature
and air intake temperature are still met.
Manual High Idle System
(Van Models Only)
If your vehicle has this
feature, the manual high
idle switch is located
on the instrument panel.
This system can be used to increase your engine idle
speed whenever the following conditions are met:
•The brake pedal is not pressed.
•The vehicle speed is below about 5 mph (8 km/h).
•The transmission is in NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
The manual high idle feature is activated by pressing
the switch on the instrument panel. When the switch is
pressed again, or any of the previous conditions are not
met, manual high idle will be deactivated. The manual
high idle has been preset at the factory. Your dealer may
change the setting to fit your needs.
2-5
ProCarManuals.com
Page 14 of 100
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Instrument Panel Cluster
United States Pickup automatic transmission version shown, manual transmission and Canada similar
3-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 16 of 100
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a computer which monitors operation
of the fuel, timing, and emission control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.The check engine light comes on to indicate when service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may prevent
more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good,
and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. Pickup Models
Van Models
3-4
ProCarManuals.com
Page 24 of 100
Towing
Towing a Trailer
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at a lower temperature than sea
level. If you turn your engine off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may
show signs similar to engine overheating.To avoid this, let the engine run while parked (preferably
on level ground) with automatic transmission equipped
vehicles in PARK (P) or manual transmission equipped
vehicles in NEUTRAL with the park brake applied for at
least five minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-39.
4-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 25 of 100
Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System.......5-2
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-2
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-3
Very Cold Weather Operation...........................5-5
Water in Fuel.................................................5-5
Water in Fuel Light Chart................................5-6
Running Out of Fuel.....................................5-11
Fuel Filter Replacement.................................5-12
Filling the Tank............................................5-15
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-17Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-18
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-18
Engine Oil...................................................5-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-29
Engine Coolant.............................................5-34
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-39
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-39
Engine Overheating.......................................5-39
Cooling System............................................5-41
Capacities and Speci cations..........................5-50
Specification Charts......................................5-50
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
ProCarManuals.com
Page 26 of 100
Diesel Fuel Requirements and
Fuel System
Some states and provinces have restrictions on the
purchase of diesel fuel for light-duty vehicles and require
you to buy permits or pay special taxes. Some of these
restrictions apply only to residents, and others apply
to both residents and visitors. These restrictions can
change. To learn the current restrictions in any state
or province, contact your auto club, the police or other
officials.
Diesel Engine Fuel
Notice:Diesel fuel or fuel additives not
recommended in this manual could damage your
fuel system, fuel-operated heater (FOH) (Van models
only) and engine. Your warranty would not cover
this damage. And:
Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine oil
or automatic transmission uid could damage
your engine and emission controls.
Aftermarket diesel fuel additives are not tested
by General Motors. Some additives, particularly
those which contain alcohol or water emulsi ers,
may damage your fuel system. If you believe that
unique circumstances call for a fuel additive to
be used, consult your dealer for advice.
If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be difficult
to restart your engine. To avoid all this, never let
your tank get empty.
If gasoline is ever accidentally added to the fuel
tank, to avoid severe engine damage, do not run
the engine until the fuel tank can be drained.
If you run out of fuel,Running Out of Fuel on page 5-11
tells you how to restart your engine.
5-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 43 of 100
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Battery
D. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Restriction Indicator
(If Equipped)
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped)
G. Engine Oil Fill CapH. Engine Fan
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Remote Negative (−) Terminal
K. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir
M. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped)
N. Underhood Fuse Block
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
5-19
ProCarManuals.com
