
Engine Overheating................................... 288
Cooling System (Gas and
DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Engines).................... 290
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 294
Power Steering Fluid................................. 295
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 296
Brakes...................................................... 297
Battery...................................................... 304
Jump Starting............................................ 305
Rear Axle.................................................... 311
Rear Axle Shift Motor................................ 312
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 312
Front Axle................................................... 313
Noise Control System................................. 314
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.............................................. 314
Bulb Replacement....................................... 315
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 316Other Service Items.................................... 317
Fuel Filter.................................................. 317
Primary Fuel Filter and Water Separator...... 317
Secondary Fuel Filter and Water
Separator/Heater (Caterpillar
®Diesel)...... 318
Automatic Ether Injection System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel)................................ 318
Front Wheel Bearings with
Oil-Filled Hubs....................................... 319
Air Conditioning System............................ 320
Tires............................................................ 321
Inflation - Tire Pressure............................. 322
Wheel Loading.......................................... 323
Dual Tire Operation................................... 323
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 324
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 324
Tightening the Wheel Nuts........................ 325
Wheel Replacement.................................. 328
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 330
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
246

Very Cold Weather Operation
Follow the instructions listed previously under the
heading “What Fuel to Use.”
Notice:Never use home heating oil or
gasoline in your diesel engine. They can cause
engine damage.
In cold weather, your fuel filter may become
clogged (waxed). To unclog it, move the vehicle to
a warm garage area and warm the filter to
between 32°F and 50°F (0°C to 10°C). You will
not need to replace it. Additional information on the
fuel filter follows.
Water in Fuel
{CAUTION:
Diesel fuel containing water is still
ammable. You could be burned. If you
ever try to drain water from your fuel,
keep sparks, ames and smoking
materials away from the mixture.Notice:If there is water in your diesel fuel
and the weather is warm or humid, fungus and
bacteria can grow in the fuel. They can
damage your fuel system. A diesel fuel biocide
can be used to sterilize your fuel system.
However, your fuel system may still need to be
cleaned. Your dealer can advise you of the
appropriate solution.
If your fuel tank needs to be purged to remove
water, see your dealer or a quali ed technician.
Improper purging can damage your fuel system.
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel
tank along with your diesel fuel. This can happen if
a service station does not regularly inspect and
clean its fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel
from its suppliers.
If this happens, the
water-in-fuel light, if
equipped, will come on
in the instrument panel.
If it does, the water must
be drained. Your dealer
can show you how to
do this.
256

Engine Coolant (Gas and
DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Engines)
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for five years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
first, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 288.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®may cause premature engine,
heater core or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant may require changing
sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
®
(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
284

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 173andLow Coolant
Warning Light on page 173for more information.
Your vehicle also has a check gages warning light
on the instrument panel. SeeCheck Gages
Warning Light on page 180for more information.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
288

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your GM Warranty booklet for
details. For additional information refer to the tire
manufacturer’s booklet included with your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your vehicle’s tires can
cause overheating as a result of too
much friction. You could have an
air-out and a serious accident. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 238.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Underin ated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked when
your vehicle’s tires are cold. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 322.
Overin ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a
pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
the tire’s tread is badly worn, or if
your vehicle’s tires have been
damaged, replace them.
321

Care of
Safety Belts............................................. 334
Your Cassette Tape Player....................... 202
Your CD Player........................................ 204
Your CDs ................................................. 203
Center Console Storage Area...................... 135
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts........ 37
Charging System Light................................ 167
Check
Engine Light............................................ 174
Gages Warning Light............................... 180
Checking Things Under the Hood................ 266
Chemical Paint Spotting.............................. 338
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 49
Infants and Young Children........................ 45
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..... 57
Older Children........................................... 42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position............................. 58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Rear Seat Position (Crew Cab) or
Center Front Position.............................. 60
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position................................. 63
Where to Put the Restraint................. 54, 55
Chime Level Adjustment.............................. 204Cigarette Lighter.......................................... 157
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels........ 337
Exterior Lamps/Lenses............................. 335
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 333
Finish Care.............................................. 335
Inside of Your Vehicle .............................. 331
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 334
Tires........................................................ 337
Underbody Maintenance........................... 338
Washing Your Vehicle .............................. 335
Weatherstrips........................................... 334
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 336
Climate Control System............................... 157
Outlet Adjustment..................................... 160
Rear Heating System............................... 161
Collision Damage Repair............................. 410
Control of a Vehicle..................................... 210
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage........................ 173
Heater, Engine......................................... 111
Low Warning Light................................... 173
Surge Tank Pressure Cap........................ 288
Cooling System........................................... 290
Cruise Control............................................. 146
419

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment................................... 340
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 341
Fusible Links............................................ 341
Headlamp Wiring..................................... 341
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 342
Power Windows and Other Power
Options................................................. 341
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 344
Windshield Wiper Fuses........................... 341
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 280
Alarm and Automatic Shutdown................ 104
Battery..................................................... 304
Change Engine Oil Light.......................... 176
Check and Service Engine Soon Light..... 174
Checks Before Operating......................... 109
Coolant...........................................284, 287
Coolant Heater......................................... 111
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 173
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake................... 112
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 355
Exhaust................................................... 131
Exhaust Restrictor.................................... 108
Fan Breakage.......................................... 250Engine (cont.)
Fan Noise................................................ 294
High Idle System..................................... 106
Oil ...................................................268, 272
Oil Life System.......................276, 278, 279
Overheating............................................. 288
Overspeed Warning Light......................... 177
Reduced Power Light............................... 179
Shutdown Warning Light.......................... 177
Speed Limiter.......................................... 164
Starter Over-Crank Protection.................... 97
Starting Your Diesel................................. 100
Starting Your Gasoline............................... 97
Entry Lighting.............................................. 154
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 409
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light...................... 178
Exhaust Restrictor....................................... 108
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 41
Exterior Lamps............................................ 150
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 280
Filter Minder Gage...................................... 182
Finish Damage............................................ 338
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................... 204
421

Range Inhibit Warning Indicator................... 169
Reading Lamps........................................... 154
Rear Axle.................................................... 311
Differential Lock Control........................... 215
Shift Motor............................................... 312
Two-Speed Electric Shift Control.............. 113
Rear Heating System.................................. 161
Rear Outside Passenger Positions,
Safety Belts............................................... 38
Rear Seat Operation..................................... 20
Rearview Mirrors......................................... 133
Reduced Engine Power Light...................... 179
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System............ 87
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation................................................... 88
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government............................. 414
General Motors........................................ 415
United States Government....................... 414
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems................. 82
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash......................................... 83
Right Front Passenger Position,
Safety Belts............................................... 36
Roadside
Assistance Program................................. 408Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.............. 236
Routing, Engine Drive Belt.......................... 355
Running Out of Fuel.................................... 262
Running the Engine While Parked............... 132
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light........................................ 164
Reminder Tone........................................ 164
Safety Belts
Care of.................................................... 334
Center Passenger Position......................... 37
Driver Position........................................... 26
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly............ 26
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts............................................ 25
Rear Outside Passenger Positions............. 38
Right Front Passenger Position.................. 36
Safety Belt Extender.................................. 41
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy............. 36
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.................... 21
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster.................... 35
Safety Warnings and Symbols......................... 4
Scheduled Maintenance............................... 363
Scheduled Maintenance Supplements.......... 363
427