Stopping the Diesel Engine
1. Set the parking brake and shift to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
If your vehicle has a two-speed axle, see
Two-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control on
page 113.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, see your
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for additional information.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Several factors affect how quickly your diesel
engine warms up. These can include outside
temperature, engine load, idle time and your
vehicle’s option content. Your vehicle may be
equipped with some features that can help
the engine reach operating temperature sooner.
Some of these features are discussed below.Also, remember that an automatic transmission
adds heat to the cooling system through the heat
exchanger in the radiator. Because of this,
vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions
are often able to retain engine coolant heat better
than manual transmission vehicles.
See your Caterpillar
®Operation & Maintenance
manual for additional diesel engine warm-up
information.
If Your Diesel Engine Will Not Start
If you have run out of fuel, seeRunning Out of
Fuel on page 262.
If you are not out of fuel, and your engine will not
start, do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Immediately after
the wait to start light goes off, turn the ignition key
to START.
If the light does not go off, wait a few seconds, then
try starting your engine again. And, see your dealer
as soon as you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you
know your batteries are charged, but your engine
still will not start, your vehicle needs service.
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•If the engine coolant temperature gage needle
goes into the hot area on the gage, stop the
engine and find the cause of the overheating.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 173for more information.
•If you have air brakes, the dual-needle air
pressure gage should read at least 115 psi
(790 kPa) for both service systems before you
try to move the vehicle. When air pressure
is below 60 psi (420 kPa), the LOW AIR light
will come on and you will hear a tone
alarm. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 169for more information. If the pressure
does not build up or drops during warm-up,
stop the engine and find the cause before you
try to move the vehicle. Recommended air
pressure before driving is 120 psi (830 kPa).
SeeAir Pressure Gage on page 183for
more information.
•The charging system light should come on
when the ignition key is turned to RUN or
START and should go out when the engine is
running above idle. If the light does not go
out or comes back on during normal engine
operation, have the charging system checked
right away. (This light tells you if thegenerator is not charging; it does not reflect
the condition of the battery.) SeeCharging
System Light on page 167for more
information.
•The voltmeter charge indicator gage tells you
the condition of your battery’s charge. The
gage should be in the center area during
engine operation. The red area on the
left indicates an undercharge condition; the
red area on the right indicates an overcharge.
If the gage is in either red area, have the
battery and charging system checked
right away. SeeVoltmeter Gage on page 168
for more information.
Notice:Do not allow the engine to operate at
low idle for more than ve minutes. This
can cause low engine operating temperatures
which can affect engine operation and
reduce engine life. Engine idle speed should
be increased to 1200 rpm whenever extended
idle is required. Once started, the engine
should be placed under load to allow the
engine coolant temperature to reach 150°F
(66°C) before shutting off the engine.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning flashers warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem.
Your front and rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
The hazard warning
flasher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
ignition position the key is in, and even if the
key is not in the ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your
turn signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m)
behind your vehicle.
Horn
Sound the horn by pushing the center of the
steering wheel. If you have the optional air horn, it is
controlled by a cord that you will find up above and
to the left of the driver. The harder you pull on the
cord, the louder the air horn will sound. The air horn
works only after your air brake system pressure
gets up to about 115 psi (790 kPa). The air horn will
work properly unless the air brake system pressure
drops below 60 psi (415 kPa).
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
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Engine Speed Limiter
All engines have electronic engine speed limiting.
The engine limited speeds range between
2,900 and 4,400 rpm depending on engine option
content.
Engine Road Speed Governor
This system controls maximum vehicle speed
automatically and reduces engine power
until vehicle speed gets down to maximum
governed speed.
The default setting for C4500 and C5500 models
up to 19,500 lbs GVWR is 80 to 85 mph
(128 to 136 km/h). Most other models have a
default setting of 75 mph (120 km/h), although
some tire sizes and tread patterns may limit
maximum speed to 55 to 65 mph (86 to 105 km/h).
You may have a label on the headliner of your
vehicle with more information on your engine
road speed governor. See your GM dealer
for assistance with programming your engine
limited speed.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a light
will come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds.
Safety Belt Reminder Tone
If your vehicle has this feature, when you turn
your key to RUN or START, a tone will sound for
several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts.
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Airbag Readiness Light
If your vehicle has airbags, there is an airbag
readiness light on the instrument panel, which
shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the
airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The
light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring, the passenger airbag
suppression circuit and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on
the airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 68.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.The airbag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN or
START. If the light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
165
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start
your engine, then
it will turn off. This
is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the BRAKE
or LOW AIR warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have the anti-lock
brake feature. If the BRAKE and/or LOW AIR
warning light is on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 169andAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 212for more information.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly when you turn the ignition
key to ON. If the light does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light is located
above the climate
controls in the center of
the instrument panel.
If your vehicle is connected to a trailer with
anti-lock brakes, this light should come on briefly,
as a check, when you turn on the ignition.
When this light comes on and stays on, it means
there is something wrong in the trailer anti-lock
brake system. Have the system repaired
immediately.
If an anti-lock brake system equipped trailer is not
connected, this light is not functional.
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Wait to Start Indicator
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®6.6L diesel
engine, it will have glow plugs and an air
intake heater. If your vehicle has the Isuzu 6H
diesel engine, it will have glow plugs and an inlet
heater. If your vehicle has a Caterpillar
®engine,
it will have an inlet heater.
The light in the center of
the instrument panel will
come on when the inlet
heater or glow plugs are
on and the ignition key is
in RUN.
Wait until the indicator light goes off before turning
the ignition key to START.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
If this light comes on or
flashes while you are
driving, two things
may happen.
First, you will not notice any difference in engine
performance, but your tail pipe emissions may
increase. Second, your engine may not run
properly or may stall without warning. If either of
these things happen, drive or tow your vehicle
to your dealer for service.
This light should come on when the ignition is on,
but the engine is not running, as a check to
show you it is working. If it does not come on at
all, have it repaired.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by your
warranty.
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According to the American Medical Association, a
180 lb (82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with
a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would
reach the same BAC by drinking three 4 ounce
(120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if
each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of liquors like
whiskey, gin, or vodka.It is the amount of alcohol that counts. For example,
if the same person drank three double martinis
(3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour,
the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent.
A person who consumes food just before or during
drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level.
There is a gender difference, too. Women
generally have a lower relative percentage of
body water than men. Since alcohol is carried in
body water, this means that a woman generally will
reach a higher BAC level than a man of her
same body weight will when each has the same
number of drinks.
The law in most U.S. states, and throughout
Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent.
In some other countries, the limit is even lower.
For example, it is 0.05 percent in both France and
Germany. The BAC limit for all commercial
drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent.
The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to
six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we have
seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the
drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them.
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