Starter Motor Operation
•The starter motor will disengage if you release
the key or the engine reaches a predetermined
engine speed.
•To prevent overheating, the starter motor will
disengage after continuously operating for
15 seconds. You must release the key
from the start position to re-engage the starter.
•The starter motor will not engage if the engine
is already running.
•The starter motor will disengage if, after
two seconds, the starter pinion gear does not
engage the flywheel or there is no engine
rpm signal from the engine speed sensor.
Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn
your ignition key to START. When the
engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets warm.2. If the engine does not start in 10 seconds,
push the accelerator pedal all the way down
and crank the engine for five more seconds,
unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but
then stops, it could be flooded with too much
gasoline.
Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool
down. Do Steps 1 through 3 again.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and
the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
If you ever need to have your vehicle towed, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 241.
98
•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.
110
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and a cigarette
lighter located in the center floor console. To
open the removable ashtray, flip open the top.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle. Never
put ammable items in the ashtray.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way
and let it go. When it’s ready, it will pop back
out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating will not allow the lighter to back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating may occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With these systems, you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, the
controls will look like this:
Turn the mode knob on the far right clockwise or
counterclockwise to direct the airflow inside of
your vehicle.
Vehicles Without Air Conditioning
157
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
your engine coolant might have overheated and
your engine may be too hot. You should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 288. If you have
a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your
Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual.
Low Coolant Warning Light
You have a low coolant
warning light. If this light
comes on, your system
is low on coolant and the
engine may overheat.
The warning light should come on briefly, as a
check, when you turn on the ignition.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning
tone at several beats per second for 10 seconds.
SeeEngine Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX
®/Isuzu
Engines) on page 284orEngine Coolant
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines) on page 287and
have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
This light may also come on if your vehicle is
equipped with the automatic engine shutdown
system and engine shutdown has begun.
SeeEngine Alarm and Automatic Shutdownunder
Starting the Diesel Engine on page 100.
United StatesCanada
173
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
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