2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO fuel additives

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-20
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines).....5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ....................5-27Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) ...............................5-30
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-32
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-34
Engine Coolant.............................................5-35
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only)......................................5-40
Cooling System............................................5-40
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-45
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-47
Brakes........................................................5-48
Battery........................................................5-51
Jump Starting...............................................5-52
Rear Axle.......................................................5-56
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-58
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-61
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel Supplement.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication Number
(VIN) on page 5-124.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also see
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 5-8. In all other
gasoline engines, use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles, except those with the 6.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code N), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.If your vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code N),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly reduced, and
you may notice a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is
less than 87, you may notice a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
5-6

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-45. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM
dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive required to
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that isadvertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your GM dealer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area. General Motors recommends that you use
these gasolines if they comply with the specications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol)
and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must
not be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
recommends against the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
5-7

E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell your fuel tank more often when
using E85 than when you are using gasoline. Regular
unleaded gasoline is recommended when pulling a
trailer. For payload capacity with ethanol fuel, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-48.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and may harm your fuel system. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered by
your new vehicle warranty. Do not use additives
with E85 fuel.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-9

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-18
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-54
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-125
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-25
Air Conditioning..............................3-20, 3-21, 3-24
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-34
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-36
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-71
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle............................1-87
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-78
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-76
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-80
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-86
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-76Airbag System (cont.)
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-76
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-74
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-72
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-42
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-121
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-119
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-123
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-120
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle..............5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-118
Finish Care...............................................5-120
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces.............................5-119
Leather....................................................5-118
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-122
Tires........................................................5-122
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-122
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-123
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-120
1

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-130
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-93
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-94
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-112
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-27, 5-30
Manual Transmission....................................5-32
Power Steering...........................................5-46
Windshield Washer......................................5-47
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-16
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-36, 5-58
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-49
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Storage Area.........................................2-76
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling Your Tank..........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage .........................................................3-50Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-50
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-128
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-126
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-126
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-129
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-125
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-43
Fuel..........................................................3-50
Oil Pressure...............................................3-47
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Transmission Temperature.............................3-43
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-39
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-71
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-75
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
6