Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-37
Wait to Start Indicator (Diesel Engine).............3-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-38
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-38
Low Oil Level Light.......................................3-39
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-40
Engine Overspeed Warning Light....................3-40
Engine Shutdown Warning Light.....................3-40
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-41
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light.........................3-41
Differential Lock Indicator Light.......................3-42
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-42
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-43
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-43
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-44
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-44Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Water in Fuel Warning Light...........................3-46
Air Filter Restriction Indicator..........................3-46
Air Pressure Gage........................................3-47
Hourmeter Gage...........................................3-47
Audio System(s).............................................3-48
Setting the Time...........................................3-49
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-50
Radio with Cassette......................................3-53
Radio with CD..............................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios).......3-64
Radio Reception...........................................3-64
Care of the Cassette Tape Player...................3-65
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-66
Care of the CD Player...................................3-67
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-67
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-67
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
Service............................................................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-7
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-8
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-10
Water in Fuel...............................................5-10
Running Out of Fuel.....................................5-17
Fuel Filter Replacement.................................5-18
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-19
Filling the Tank............................................5-20
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-22
Engine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine).............5-24
Engine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel)......................5-24
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-28
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-31
Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX
®Diesel).....5-33
Engine Oil Life System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine).........................5-34Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-35
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-36
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-37
Engine Coolant
(Gas and DURAMAX
®Engines)...................5-38
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar®Diesel Engines).....5-40
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-40
Engine Overheating.......................................5-40
Cooling System
(Gas and DURAMAX
®Engines)...................5-42
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-47
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-47
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-48
Brakes........................................................5-49
Battery........................................................5-58
Jump Starting...............................................5-59
Rear Axle.......................................................5-64
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-65
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-65
Front Axle......................................................5-66
Noise Control System.....................................5-67
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-67
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-68
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
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 ames 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.
5-36
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.
5-37
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.
5-47
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
23082T (H25) 44.0 pt 20.8 L
26080T (GJ4) 44.0 pt 20.8 L
Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive) 4.0 pt 1.9 L
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
3000 RDS and EVS, and 3500 RDS and EVS 52.0 pt 24.6 L
1000 HS, RDS, MH, PTS and EVS, 2200 HS, RDS, MH,
PTS and EVS, 2500 HS and RDS, and 2300 HS and RDS35.0 pt 13.5 L
Add 2 pints (1 L) when changing spin-on or remote filter.
See the Allison
®Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual for fluid check and maintenance information.
Transmission Fluid, Manual
FS5205A, FS5205C 11.6 pt 5.5 L
FS6305A, FS6305B, 18.4 pt 8.7 L
FS5406, FSO8406 18.5 pt 8.8 L
RT6609 12.5 pt 5.9 L
RT8709B 25.1 pt 11.8 L
RT8908LL 29.1 pt 13.8 L
ZF S6-650 12.7 pt 6.0 L
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck the fluid level after filling.
5-103
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-35
Alarm and Automatic Shutdown.....................2-20
Battery.......................................................5-58
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-38
Checks Before Operating..............................2-24
Coolant..............................................5-38, 5-40
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake........................2-27
Exhaust.....................................................2-45
Exhaust Restrictor.......................................2-22
Fan Breakage............................................... 5-5
Fan Noise..................................................5-47
High Idle System.........................................2-21
Oil .....................................................5-24, 5-28
Oil Life System...........................5-31, 5-33, 5-34
Overheating................................................5-40
Overspeed Warning Light..............................3-40
Reduced Power Light...................................3-42
Shutdown Warning Light...............................3-40
Speed Limiter.............................................3-28
Starter Over-Crank Protection........................2-12
Starting Your Diesel.....................................2-15
Starting Your Gasoline..................................2-13Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-6
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light...........................3-41
Exhaust Restrictor...........................................2-22
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-35
Filter Minder Gage..........................................3-46
Finish Damage...............................................5-89
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-67
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flat Tire........................................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-36
Manual Transmission....................................5-37
Power Steering...........................................5-47
Windshield Washer......................................5-48
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-35, 5-65
Front Axle......................................................5-66
Front Wheel Bearings with Oil-Filled Hubs..........5-73
5
L
Lamps
Dome ........................................................3-16
Exterior......................................................3-14
Marker.......................................................3-16
Reading.....................................................3-17
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
Light
Airbag Off..................................................3-30
Airbag Readiness........................................3-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Brake System Warning.................................3-33
Change Engine Oil......................................3-40
Charging System.........................................3-31
Check Gages Warning.................................3-44
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator..................3-43
Differential Lock Indicator..............................3-42
Engine Overspeed Warning...........................3-40
Engine Shutdown Warning............................3-40
Exhaust Brake Indicator................................3-41
Highbeam On.............................................3-43
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-37
Low Oil Level.............................................3-39
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-44
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-38Light (cont.)
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator.....................3-33
Reduced Engine Power................................3-42
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Tone...........................3-28
Service Transmission Warning.......................3-32
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System Warning..........3-36
Wait to Start Indicator..................................3-37
Water in Fuel Warning.................................3-46
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-17
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-34
Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-6
Power Door.................................................. 2-7
Loss of Control...............................................4-17
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-37
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-44
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-104
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-28
At Least Once a Year..................................6-32
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-29
8