Diesel Particulate Filter (Diesel
Engine)
Your vehicle has a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) as
part of the exhaust system to reduce vehicle emissions.
The DPF requires a unique exhaust tailpipe with an
exhaust cooler. The exhaust cooler mixes air with the
exhaust at the tailpipe. This lowers the exhaust
temperature before it leaves the tailpipe.
The DPF, the tailpipe, or other exhaust system
components must not be altered. The area where the
exhaust cooler connects to the tailpipe should be
inspected, especially the area where the fresh air enters
the cooler. Make sure the openings are not restricted
or plugged with mud or dirt which could inhibit exhaust
gas cooling. See “Exhaust System Inspection” under
At Least Twice a Year on page 6-27.The DPF will regenerate (self-clean) itself as part of
normal operation. During regeneration, the green DPF
indicator is lit and you will notice a difference in
engine noise and engine speed, but this is normal. The
Engine Control Module (ECM) controls this function
based on several factors including the amount of fuel
consumed, hours of engine operation and miles driven.
Notice:Use of diesel fuel other than Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur maximum) or engine oil
other than low ash CJ-4 oil will cause permanent
damage to the DPF and related components.
This damage would not be covered by your
warranty.
Your DPF equipped vehicle has specific fuel and engine
oil requirements. SeeWhat Fuel to Use on page 5-9
andEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-23orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-24
orEngine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine) on page 5-28
orEngine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine) on page 5-32to
make sure you use the required fuel and engine oil.
2-46
Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-6
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-7
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-9
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-9
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-12
Water in Fuel...............................................5-12
Running Out of Fuel.....................................5-17
Fuel Filter Replacement.................................5-18
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-19
Filling the Tank............................................5-20
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-22
Engine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine).............5-23
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-24
Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine)............5-28Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine).....................5-32
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-36
Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX
®/Isuzu
Diesel Engines).........................................5-37
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar
®Diesel
Engine)....................................................5-39
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-39
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-43
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-43
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines).....5-44
Engine Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX®/
Isuzu 7.8L L6 Engines)..............................5-44
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-47
Engine Overheating.......................................5-48
Cooling System............................................5-50
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-54
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-54
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-55
Brakes........................................................5-57
Battery........................................................5-66
Jump Starting...............................................5-67
Rear Axle.......................................................5-72
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-73
Front Axle......................................................5-74
Noise Control System.....................................5-75
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-75
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-76
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-76
Other Service Items........................................5-78
Fuel Filter....................................................5-78
Primary Fuel Filter and Water Separator..........5-79
Secondary Fuel Filter and Water Separator/
Heater (Caterpillar
®Diesel).........................5-80
Front Wheel Bearings with
Oil-Filled Hubs..........................................5-81
Tires..............................................................5-82
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-82
Wheel Loading.............................................5-83
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-84
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-84
Buying New Tires.........................................5-85
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-86Tightening the Wheel Nuts.............................5-86
Wheel Replacement......................................5-90
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-92
Appearance Care............................................5-94
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces..................................................5-96
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-96
Weatherstrips...............................................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-97
Finish Care..................................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-98
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim..................................................5-98
Tires...........................................................5-99
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-99
Finish Damage.............................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-100
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-100
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-100
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2
5. Reinstall and tighten the filter container and
reconnect the water sensor wire to the filter.
6. Use the fuel filter priming procedure earlier in this
section to prime the fuel filter.
7. Tighten the air bleed valve by turning it clockwise
until hand-tight.
8. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes.
Check your fuel filter and air bleed valve for
leaks.
How to Reset Fuel Filter Change
Light - DURAMAX®6.6L (LMM) Engine
The engine controller calculates when to change
the fuel filter based on vehicle and fuel use. Anytime
your fuel filter is changed, reset the fuel filter light so the
engine controller can calculate when the next fuel filter
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your fuel filter prior to a change fuel filter light
being turned on, reset the fuel filter change light.To reset the Fuel Filter Change light:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off
2. Fully press the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time for 10 seconds. If the Fuel Filter Change
light flashes for 5 seconds, the system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF
If the Fuel Filter Change light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the light has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure. SeeChange Fuel Filter Warning Light on
page 3-44for more information.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be
covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-19
Engine Oil Life System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a change engine oil light
being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully apply and hold the brake pedal while you fully
press and release the accelerator pedal, pausing
slightly at each press and each release, three times
within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the Engine Oil Life System has
not reset. Repeat the procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
DURAMAX®Diesel
6.6L EngineV8 Gas and CAT and
Isuzu 6H Diesel Engines
5-39
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
If your vehicle has this feature, the gage is located in
the engine compartment either on or near the air
cleaner. It monitors the engine air filter and will let you
know when the filter should be replaced. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter each oil change.
As the filter gets dirty, the yellow indicator will begin to
rise. When it reaches the red/orange change area,
the filter should be replaced. Reset the indicator after
each filter replacement.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter (DURAMAX®Diesel 6.6L,
V8 Gas and CAT Diesel Engines)
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/ lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine back res. If it is
not there and the engine back res, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/ lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/ lter is off, a back re can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily
get into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/ lter in place when you are
driving.
The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the center of
the engine compartment.
To inspect the engine air cleaner/filter, remove the filter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a
new filter is required.
5-40
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is checked. See your
Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual to
find out when to change your transmission fluid
and filters.
How to Check and What to Use
The Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual
that came with the vehicle shows how to check the
automatic transmission fluid and what fluid to use.
Automatic Transmission External Filter
Your automatic transmission filter requires periodic
replacement.
Consult the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s
Manual that came with the vehicle for proper change
intervals.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
checked. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to find
out when to check and change your manual
transmission fluid. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-5.
How to Check and What to Use
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place, and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
To check the transmission fluid level, do the following:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check to be sure that the lubricant level is up to the
bottom of the fill opening. On heavy duty
transmissions, an inch of oil level equals about one
gallon of fluid.
3. If the fluid level is good, reinstall the plug and be
sure it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add
more fluid as described in the next steps. Refer to
the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. SeePart C: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-31.
5-43
Secondary Fuel Filter and Water
Separator/Heater
(Caterpillar
®Diesel)
If you have a Caterpillar®
diesel engine, you may
also have this spin-on filter
and fuel separator/heater.
It will be mounted in the
engine compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
It has a metal drain bowl at the bottom. Occasionally,
check the bowl for any water or particles.To check or drain the bowl, do the following:
•Shut off the engine.
•Push up on the spring loaded drain valve until clear
fuel is flowing from the valve.
The particles or water will drain out first. SeeEngine Oil
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on page 5-23orEngine
Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-24orEngine Oil
(DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine) on page 5-28orEngine Oil
(Isuzu Diesel Engine) on page 5-32for proper disposal
procedures.
5-80