
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light is located above
the climate controls in the
center of the instrument
panel.
This light will come on when your vehicle is low on
windshield washer fluid.
For more information, seeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-50.
Power Take-Off Light (PTO)
For vehicles with Power
Take-Off (PTO), this light
is located in the center
of the instrument panel.
This light will come on when the PTO switch is in the
ON/RUN position. SeePower Take-Off (PTO) on
page 2-30for more information.
Check Gages Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when the engine is
started.
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving.
It means that either the engine coolant temperature
gage or the engine oil pressure gage may be showing a
reading in the warning zone.
When the check gages light comes on, you will also
hear a warning tone. The tone and the light will
stay activated until the problem is corrected.
This light may also come on if your vehicle is has
automatic engine shutdown system and engine
shutdown has begun. SeeEngine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown on page 2-18.
3-43

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Engine Fan Breakage.....................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Diesel Engine Fuel.........................................5-8
What Fuel to Use...........................................5-8
Very Cold Weather Operation.........................5-11
Water in Fuel...............................................5-11
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.....................5-22
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-22
Hood Latches...............................................5-23
Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel Engine).............5-24
Engine Oil (Caterpillar Diesel Engine)..............5-27
Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine).....................5-28
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-32
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-35Engine Oil Life System (DURAMAX/Isuzu
Diesel Engines).........................................5-36
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)..........................................5-38
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-38
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-42
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-42
Cooling System............................................5-43
Engine Coolant (Caterpillar Diesel Engines)......5-47
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-47
Engine Overheating.......................................5-48
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-49
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-49
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-50
Brakes........................................................5-52
Battery........................................................5-61
Jump Starting...............................................5-62
Rear Axle.......................................................5-67
Rear Axle Shift Motor....................................5-68
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-68
Front Axle......................................................5-69
Noise Control System.....................................5-70
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-70
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Priming the 7.8L Duramax®Diesel Engine
If the vehicle is equipped with the 7.8L Duramax®diesel
engine, use the following procedure to prime the engine:
1. Make sure there is fuel in the fuel tank.
2. Make sure the specified fuel filter is properly
installed.
3. Make sure the fuel lines are securely connected.4. Make sure the fuel filter is cool to the touch.
5. Use a clean cloth to remove dirt and oil from the
fuel filter head and breather valve.
6. Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press
and release the plunger at the top of the fuel filter
priming pump. Continue until the plunger resistance
becomes firm. This may take from 20 to 100 times,
depending upon fuel tank location.
7. Turn the fuel filter breather valve screw
counterclockwise several turns to open the
breather valve.
8. Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press and
release the plunger at the top of the fuel filter
priming pump until fuel begins to seep from the
breather valve.
9. Tighten the fuel filter breather screw to the specified
torque, 4.9Y(43 lbs. in.).
10. Use the palm of your hand to press and release the
plunger at the top of the fuel filter priming pump
about 20 more times. This sends fuel to the engine.
11. Use a clean cloth to remove any fuel from the fuel
filter and surrounding area.
12. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few
minutes.
13. Check the fuel filter for leakage.
5-16

4. Install the new filter element.
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 the engine and let it idle for five minutes.
Check the 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. Whenever the
fuel filter is changed, reset the fuel filter light so
the engine controller can calculate when the next fuel
filter change is required. If the fuel filter is ever changed
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 ON/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 the vehicle, the light has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure. SeeChange Fuel Filter Warning Light on
page 3-45for 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 the vehicle 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

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
•Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
•Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on
any surface other than the ground.
•Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the inside
of the fill opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the filling
is complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-22

Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel
Engine)
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level every time
you get fuel.
The engine oil dipstick is
located in the engine
compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.In order to get an accurate reading, the engine should
be at normal operating temperature, so that the oil
is warm, and the vehicle must be on level ground.
1. If the engine is at normal operating temperature and
the oil is warm, turn off the engine and allow at
least five minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
If the engine has not been run long enough to bring it
up to normal operating temperature and the oil is
cool, turn off the engine and allow 30 minutes for the
oil to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
5-24

2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
3. Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down,
and check the oil level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, add at least two quarts/liters of
the recommended oil. This section explains what kind
of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-102.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.Add oil at the engine oil fill
cap in the engine
compartment. Install and
fully tighten the fill cap
when you are through.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when you are through.
5-25

Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine)
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level every time
you get fuel.
The engine oil dipstick is
located in the engine
compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.In order to get an accurate reading, the engine should
be at normal operating temperature, so that the oil
is warm, and the vehicle must be on level ground.
1. If the engine is at normal operating temperature and
the oil is warm, turn off the engine and allow at
least five minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
If the engine has not been run long enough to bring
it up to normal operating temperature and the oil
is cool, turn off the engine and allow 30 minutes for
the oil 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 a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
3. Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down,
and check the oil level.
5-28