2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO octane

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.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 491. 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.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
264

Service........................................................ 488
Accessories and Modications................... 488
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 489
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 489
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 490
Fuel............................................................. 490
Gasoline Octane........................................ 491
Gasoline Specications.............................. 491
California Fuel........................................... 491
Additives................................................... 492
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 493
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 494
Filling the Tank......................................... 494
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 497
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 498
Hood Release........................................... 498
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 500
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine).................... 502
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 505Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(Gasoline Engines)................................. 507
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 510
Engine Coolant.......................................... 514
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 517
Engine Overheating................................... 517
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)........ 520
Cooling System......................................... 521
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 526
Power Steering Fluid................................. 526
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 527
Brakes...................................................... 529
Battery...................................................... 533
Jump Starting............................................ 534
Rear Axle.................................................... 540
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 541
Front Axle................................................... 543
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
485

Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you might 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, the 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 492for 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 262. 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.
491

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 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 the fuel system and also damage
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 dealer for service.
492

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 610.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code
0) or the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3), you
can use either regular unleaded gasoline or
ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85);
also seeFuel on page 490. In all other engines,
use only the unleaded gasoline described
underGasoline Octane on page 491.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN
Code 0) or the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3)
can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). We encourage
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 (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 greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798. By denition, this means that
fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content
between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank with
fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM specications
can affect driveability and could cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
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 could be because
the E85 fuel is not properly formulated for your
climate. If this happens, switching to gasoline or
adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. 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. It is best
not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and
E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add
less than three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You
should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle
to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.
493

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 427.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended
manner. SeeOff-Road Driving on page 392.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 491.
The services inScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 627should be performed
when indicated. SeeAdditional Required Services
(Gasoline Engine) on page 631andMaintenance
Footnotes (Gasoline Engine) on page 633for
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 489.
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.
626

Entry Lighting.............................................. 228
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 659
Exit Lighting................................................ 228
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 45
Exterior Lamps............................................ 223
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 507
Finish Damage............................................ 608
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................... 373
Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 213
Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 216
Flat Tire...................................................... 579
Flat Tire, Changing...................................... 580
Flat Tire, Storing......................................... 596
Fluid
Automatic Transmission............................ 510
Power Steering........................................ 526
Windshield Washer.................................. 527
Fog Lamp
Fog .......................................................... 226
Fog Lamp Light........................................... 267
Four-Wheel Drive...............................149, 541
Four-Wheel-Drive Light................................ 267
Front Axle................................................... 543Fuel............................................................ 490
Additives.................................................. 492
California Fuel.......................................... 491
E85 (85% Ethanol)................................... 493
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 497
Filling Your Tank...................................... 494
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 494
Gage....................................................... 268
Gasoline Octane...................................... 491
Gasoline Specications............................ 491
Low Warning Light................................... 269
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block........ 614
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 612
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 612
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 615
Windshield Wiper..................................... 611
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 260
Fuel......................................................... 268
Oil Pressure............................................. 265
Speedometer........................................... 250
674

Gage (cont.)
Tachometer.............................................. 250
Voltmeter Gage........................................ 257
Garage Door Opener................................... 187
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 491
Specications........................................... 491
Glove Box................................................... 198
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 653
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 213
Head Restraints............................................ 18
Headlamps.................................................. 546
Bulb Replacement.................................... 545
Daytime Running Lamps.......................... 224
Flash-to-Pass........................................... 216
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 545
High/Low Beam Changer......................... 216
On Reminder........................................... 224
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...................................... 548
Heated Seats................................................ 12
Heater................................................236, 239
Heater......................................................... 240Highbeam On Light..................................... 267
Highway Hypnosis....................................... 417
Hill and Mountain Roads............................. 418
Hood
Checking Things Under............................ 498
Release................................................... 498
Horn............................................................ 213
How to Use This Manual................................ 4
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly............... 27
I
Ignition Positions......................................... 135
Infants and Young Children, Restraints.......... 49
Ination - Tire Pressure............................... 561
Instrument Panel
Overview.........................................208, 211
Storage Area............................................ 199
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness................................................ 227
Cluster..................................................... 249
J
Jump Starting.............................................. 534
675