Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
230 Driving and Operating
Steering
Electric Power Steering
This vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is
held in that position for an extended
period of time, power steering assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underSteering System
Messages 0169. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
310 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 311
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 312
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 317
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 321
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 326
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 328
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Battery - North America . . . . . . 331
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 333
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 334
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 335
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 335
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 336
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 336
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 339 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 340
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 341
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 353
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
328 Vehicle Care
The electric engine cooling fans
may run after the engine has been
turned. off. This is normal and no
service is required.
Power Steering Fluid
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes on
when the washer fluid is low. The
message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID messagedisplays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0314 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
394 Vehicle Care
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts,
including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, master
cylinder, brake fluid reservoir,
vacuum pipes, electric vacuum
pump including bracket and vent
hose, if equipped.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year. Inspect power steering for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
For 1500 Series vehicles, at least
every other oil change lubricate the
outer tie rod ends.
Control arm ball joints on 1500
Series vehicles are
maintenance-free.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable Steering/
Suspension points should not be
done unless the temperature is
−12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, steel
fuel door hinge and power assist
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
408 Service and Maintenance
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0410 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
444 Index
Driving (cont'd)Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 237
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 238
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345, 348
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Electrical System (cont'd)
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 314
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Cooling System Messages . . . 163
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 141
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 255
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 429
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 183
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 185
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 187
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 318
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Four-Wheel DriveTransfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 188, 338
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
Index 447
Lights (cont'd)High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 185
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 144
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . 150
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 151
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
M
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . 270
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Maintenance and Care
Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 401 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 146
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Battery Voltage andCharging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 163
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Object Detection System . . . . . 166 Messages (cont'd)
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 167
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Mirror Child-View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Mirrors Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Blind Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 58
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
448 Index
N
NavigationOnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . 333
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 317
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . 141
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . 102
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 420
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
OnStar
®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 433
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 OnStar
®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Ordering
Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 426
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 335
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 253
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 281
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 96
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 312
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Phone
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . 208, 209, 213
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 251
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 87
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 428
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 423
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . 311, 331, 382
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 427
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198