2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO coolant level

2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F (23°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Use the driver’s or
passenger’s temperature buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
remains at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C),
the system remains at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based on
sun load. For more information on the solar sensor,
see “Sensors” later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
delays turning the fan on until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan switch overrides this delay
and changes the fan to a selected speed.O(On/Off):Press this button to turn off the climate
control system. Outside air still enters the vehicle, and
is directed to the oor. This direction can be changed by
pressing the mode button. Recirculation can be
selected once you have selected vent or bi-level mode.
The temperature can also be adjusted using either
temperature button. If the air delivery mode or
temperature settings are adjusted with the system off,
the display illuminates briey to show the settings
and then returns to off. Press the on/off button or the up
down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost button,
AUTO button, or the air conditioning button to turn the
system on when it is off.
3-31

This message displays and a chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for
operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled to a safe operating
temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine
further enters the engine coolant protection mode.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-32for further
information.
This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FAST IDLE ON
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the fast idle feature is on. SeeFast Idle System
on page 2-25for more information.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-55andFuel on page 5-6for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the hood is
not fully closed. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the
hood for obstructions, and close the hood again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN (Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
side rear door is not fully closed and the vehicle is in
a drive gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close the door again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
3-69

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to lower gear selection if the transmission
shifts too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
later in this section.
When towing at high elevation on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant at higher
elevations will boil at a lower temperature than at or
near sea level. If you turn your engine off immediately
after towing at high elevation on steep uphill grades,
your vehicle may show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground, with the transmission
in PARK (P) at least ve minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-32.
4-88

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 5-20.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
on page 5-20.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-35andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-32.
D. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-47.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-46.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-15.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on page 5-22orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 5-26.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-47.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
on page 5-15.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-41.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-43.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-129.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-42.
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil” in
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD mark on the coolant surge tank.
If your vehicle has a low coolant sensor and the
LOW COOLANT LEVEL message comes on and
stays on, it means you are low on engine coolant.
See “LOW COOLANT LEVEL” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-66.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. SeeCooling System on page 5-35
for more information.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
5-31

Cooling System
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan can start even
when the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine cooling fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface. Check the
coolant level after the system cools down. Some amount
of coolant may be lost due to overheating.
5.3L Engine (4.3L, 4.8L and 6.0L Similar)
5-35

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine re, and you could
be burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only) on page 5-34for information
on driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-36

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Cooling
System” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Supplement for the
proper coolant ll procedure.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at or above the
FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before
you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-29for more
information.If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if you turn the
coolant surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
5-37