2006 CHEVROLET KODIAK maintenance

Engine Oil
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
See your Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual
for information on oil quality and viscosities as well
as the temperature range chart.
Engine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel)
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil level every
time you get fuel.
The engine oil dipstick is
located in the engine
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.In order to get an accurate reading, the engine should
be at normal operating temperature, so that the oil
is warm, and the vehicle must be on level ground.
1. If the engine is at normal operating temperature and
the oil is warm, turn off the engine and allow at
least five minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
If the engine has not been run long enough to bring
it up to normal operating temperature and the oil
is cool, turn off the engine and allow 30 minutes for
the oil to drain back into the oil pan. If you do
not do this, the oil dipstick might not show the actual
level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
3. Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down,
and check the oil level.
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•SAE 15W-40
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 15W-40 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 10W-30 at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
When it is very cold, below 0°F (−18°C), you should
use SAE 5W-40 to improve cold starting. 5W-40
is not recommended for use at high temperatures,
above 100°F (38°C).
These numbers on the oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 10W-40 or SAE 20W-50.
This doughnut-shaped
logo (symbol) is used on
most oil containers to
help you select the correct
oil. It means that the oil
has been certified by
the American Petroleum
Institute.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
onlythose oils that display this logo.
GM Goodwrench
®oil of the recommended viscosity
grades meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
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.
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
Without the Engine Oil Life System)
If you have the 6.6L V8 (LLY) Engine: Change engine
oil and filter every 15,000 miles (24 000 km), or
every 12 months, or every 750 hours of engine
operation, whichever occurs first. If you have the
7.8L V6 (LG4) Engine: Change engine oil and filter
every 12,000 miles (20 000 km), or every 12 months, or
every 600 hours of engine operation, whichever
occurs first. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to find
out when to check and change your manual
transmission fluid. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-5.
How to Check and What to Use
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place, and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
To check the transmission fluid level, do the following:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check to be sure that the lubricant level is up to
the bottom of the fill opening. On heavy duty
transmissions, an inch of oil level equals about
one gallon of fluid.
3. If the fluid level is good, reinstall the plug and be
sure it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add
more fluid as described in the next steps. Refer to
the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. SeePart C: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-33.
How to Add Fluid
To add transmission fluid, do the following:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of the
fill opening. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine the proper fluid to use. See
Part C: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-33.
3. Reinstall the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully
seated.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Coolant
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines)
If your vehicle has a Caterpillar®diesel engine, see the
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation & Maintenance
Manual provided with your vehicle to find out what
to add, as well as when and how to service your cooling
system.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap is located in
the engine compartment, on the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
Notice:Your vehicle’s surge tank pressure cap is
designed for use with medium-duty cooling systems
only. If the surge tank 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 find an engine coolant temperature gage, as
well as a low coolant warning light, on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 3-36andLow Coolant Warning Light on
page 3-37for more information.
Your vehicle also has a check gages warning light on
the instrument panel. SeeCheck Gages Warning
Light on page 3-44for more information.
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If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as
fast as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you are parked. If you still have the warning, turn off
the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Cooling System
(Gas and DURAMAX
®Engines)
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Engine Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank
If your vehicle has a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, see the
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation and Maintenance
Manual provided with your vehicle.
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Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages. So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5to determine
when to check your power steering fluid.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Check your power steering fluid only when the engine is
warm. If the engine is not warm, you probably will not
get an accurate reading.
If the fluid level is between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks, you have enough. If you need
fluid, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring it
in between the MIN and MAX marks.
If your power steering fluid level is low, this can cause
the brake or service brakes soon warning lights to come
on. In addition, the steering effort and emergency
brake distance could increase.
If either light remains on after you have added power
steering fluid to the proper level, then shut off the engine
for 10 seconds. This should reset the brake warning
lights. If one or both lights stay on, see “Hydraulic Brake
System Warning Lights” underBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-33for more information.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seePart C:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-33.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always use the
proper uid. Failure to use the proper uid can
cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
If your vehicle has
hydraulic brakes, there is a
brake master cylinder in
the engine compartment
on the driver side of
the vehicle. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to
check your brake fluid.
{CAUTION:
Do not add brake uid before you check the
level. If you do, you could get too much brake
uid. Brake uid could spill on the hot engine
and it can catch re. You could be burned and
your vehicle could be damaged. See “Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
Checking Brake Fluid
Apply the brake pedal several times with the ignition off.
Then clean one of the reservoir caps and the area
around the cap, and remove it.
The fluid level should be
even with the bottom ring
of the filler opening.
The brake fluid reservoir is
located in the engine
compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
If it is low, add enough fluid to fill the reservoir to the
proper level.
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What to Add
Use the proper fluid listed in your Maintenance
Schedule. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap/cover and the
area around the cap/cover before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
uid, and do not use DOT-5 silicone brake uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-87.
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