2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN octane

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds
and restart the engine. If the light remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light
is still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
3-46

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-30Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-47
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps..................................................5-51
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-52
Side Identication Marker Lamps.....................5-54
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-56
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-57
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-58
Tires..............................................................5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Fuel
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 5-108.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (Code Z), you
may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel
E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 5-7. In all other engines,
use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
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.
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 5-6
for additional information.
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.
5-5

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 is
advertised 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.
5-6

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
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 5-108.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z
only), you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or
ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85);
also seeFuel on page 5-5. In all other engines, use
only the unleaded gasoline described underGasoline
Octane on page 5-5.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code
Z) may use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). General Motors
encourages the use of E85 in vehicles that are designed
to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable” fuel,
meaning it is made from renewable sources such as
corn and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html)
that can help you nd E85 fuel. Those stations that do
have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol
content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content is
greaterthan 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798.To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E85, it may be because your E85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may improve
starting. Your vehicle is designed to accommodate a
mixture of gasoline and E85 fuel. For good starting and
heater efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel
tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol.
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.
5-7

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the tire and
loading information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-48.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
SeeOff-Road Driving on page 4-17.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-7for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle
can be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs,
you can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer to have a
qualied technician do the work. SeeDoing
Your Own Service Work on page 5-4.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer do these jobs.
When you go to your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for
your service needs, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM parts.
If you want to purchase service information, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
6-3

Engine (cont.)
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-36
Fan Noise..................................................5-35
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-30
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-20
Entry Lighting.................................................3-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Exit Lighting...................................................3-19
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-47
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-106
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-133
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-5
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-78
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-79
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-94Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-37
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-17
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-26, 5-48
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-49
Front Axle......................................................5-50
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Front Storage Area.........................................2-56
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage .........................................................3-50
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-50
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-112
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-113
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-109
6

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-42
Fuel..........................................................3-50
Oil Pressure...............................................3-48
Speedometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Transmission Temperature.............................3-43
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-40
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-52
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-56
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-8
Headlamps............................................3-14, 5-51
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-16
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-51
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-15Headlamps (cont.)
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-54
Side Identication Marker Lamps...................5-54
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...................................................3-21, 3-22
Heater...........................................................3-25
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-49
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-40
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-34
7