2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN engine overheat

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for more information on
location.
The coolant level should be at or
above the FULL COLD mark. If it is
not, the vehicle may have a leak in
the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Surge Tank
{WARNING
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.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
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 surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
5. Replace the pressure cap. Besure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after engine is shut off and the coolant is
cold. If necessary, repeat coolant
fill procedure Steps 1 through 6.
Notice: If the 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
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge on your vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑17. In addition, ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE, ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE, and
a ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
message comes on in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) on the
instrument panel. See
Engine
Cooling System Messages on
page 5‑40 andEngine Power
Messages on page 5‑42.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
but instead get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑7 orRoadside Assistance
Program (Mexico) on page 13‑10.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced. Notice:
Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Overheated
Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 10‑23 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
while driving with no coolant, the
vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑23 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
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. 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 the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑23 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem. If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. See
Trailer
Towing on page 9‑82.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone or
an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair. The
engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan, when the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch disengages.
This fan noise may also be heard
when starting the engine. It will go
away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-41
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses, circuit
breakers and fusible thermal links.
This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the
road and don't have a spare fuse,
you can borrow one that has the
same amperage. Just pick some
feature of your vehicle that you can
get along without–like the radio or
cigarette lighter –and use its fuse,
if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The Engine Compartment Fuse
Block is located in the engine
compartment, on the driver side of
the vehicle. Lift the cover for access
to the fuse/relay block.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
To remove fuses, hold the end of
the fuse between your thumb and
index finger and pull straight out.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
i-4 INDEX
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
DVD Rear Seat EntertainmentSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-36
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-97
Electrical System Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17 Engine (cont.)
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-40
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-38
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-87
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-17
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Filter Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-5
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Flat Tire, Changing . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-105
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-12
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Four-Wheel DriveTransfer Case . . . . . . . . . 9-46, 9-51
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29, 9-46, 9-51
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
i-8 INDEX
N
Navigation SystemVehicle Data Recordingand Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Object Detection, Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . .10-11
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-57 Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
OnStar
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Operation, Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Parking Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-34
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-36
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-49 Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3
Phone Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-34
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Privacy Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-18
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . 13-10
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3