
Your truck, when new, did not include tire changing
equipment or a place to store a tire in the vehicle. Few
drivers of these vehicles have the necessary equipment
aboard to be able to change a flat tire safely. For
example, you would need a truck jack that can lift
several thousand pounds and a torque wrench that can
generate several hundred foot-pounds (Y)of
twisting force.
{CAUTION:
If you try to put air back into a tire that has run
at, even a tire that was extremely low on air,
the tire can have a sudden air-out. This could
cause you to lose control of the vehicle and
have a serious crash. Do not re ll a at or very
low tire with air without rst having the tire
taken off the wheel and checked for damage.
So if you are stopped somewhere by a flat or damaged
tire or wheel, you should get expert help. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if
it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and
dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can
damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles
from your upholstery. It is important to keep your
upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your
vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat
that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home furnishings may also
transfer color to your vehicle’s interior.
When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use cleaners
specifically designed for the surfaces being cleaned.
Permanent damage may result from using cleaners on
surfaces for which they were not intended.
5-83

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum. A coating of
wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all
bright metal parts.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap, or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a glass
cleaning liquid or powder and water solution. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when it is rinsed
with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
5-88

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
7.2L 250 - 300 hp Engine 32.8 qt 31.0 L
7.2L 250 - 300 hp Engine with A/C and Increased Cooling 33.3 qt 31.5 L
7.8L 200 - 230 hp Engine 31.6 qt 29.9 L
7.8L 200 - 230 hp Engine with A/C and Increased Cooling 35.3 qt 33.4 L
7.8L 250 - 300 hp Engine 34.9 qt 33.0 L
7.8L 250 - 300 hp Engine with A/C and Increased Cooling 35.4 qt 33.5 L
8.1L 225 - 295 hp Engine 33.3 qt 31.5 L
8.1L with A/C and Increased Cooling 34.9 qt 33.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter
6.6L 14.6 qt 13.8 L
7.2L 30.0 qt 28.4 L
7.8L
123.8 qt 22.5 L
8.1L 10.0 qt 9.4 L
Check fill level on the oil indicator after initial fill to make sure it is actually full. Oil level may vary depending on
vehicle option content.
1Additional oil is required with auxiliary oil filter systems. Make sure to add enough extra oil to fill the auxiliary oil
filter system. For vehicles equipped with the LUBERFINER 750-C, add 14 quarts (13.25 L).
5-100

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated at the same miles (km)
after those intervals for the life of this vehicle.
Gasoline engine vehicles and some DURAMAX
®diesel
engine vehicles have a computer that lets you know
when to change your engine oil. This is not based
on mileage, but on engine operation and engine
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the Engine Oil Life System will
indicate that a change is necessary. SeeEngine Oil Life
System (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-31orEngine Oil
Life System (DURAMAX
®Diesel) on page 5-33or
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-34.
The “Footnotes” at the end of this Maintenance
Schedule further explain maintenance services.
SeeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-11.
100 Miles (160 km)
❑Wheel stud nut service.(36)
1,000 Miles (1 600 km)
❑Wheel stud nut service.(36)
❑Rear axle air shift motor service.(10)
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)
6-5

❑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 12 months, 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)
❑Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).(1) (5)
❑Gasoline Engine: Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If
necessary, replace the filter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect filter at every engine oil
change. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-35
for more information.
6-6

❑Diesel Engine: Inspect engine air cleaner filter
change indicator. If necessary, replace the filter. If
vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect filter
change indicator at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-35for more
information.
❑DURAMAX
®Diesel Only: Replace fuel filter
(or every 750 hours of engine operation, whichever
occurs first).
❑Steering system service.(12)
❑Front and rear suspension service.(13)
❑Spring-to-axle U-bolts and shackle bolts service.(15)
❑Exhaust system service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).(2) (3) (16)
❑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)
❑Thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan
service.(3) (19)
❑Shields and underhood insulation service.(3) (4) (20)
❑Air compressor dry element pleated paper air
strainer service (or every 2 months or every
800 hours, whichever occurs first).
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)
6-7

❑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.
❑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)
24,000 Miles (40 000 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 12 months, 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)
❑Lubricate U-joints (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first).
6-8