Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
82 Instruments and Controls
With the engine control switch in the
ON position, the fuel gauge
indicates about how much fuel is left
in the tank.
To check the fuel level with the
engine control switch in the LOCK
position, press the Odometer Check
switch.
Fill the tank well before it
approaches empty. After filling up
the fuel tank, it takes awhile for the
fuel gauge needle to stabilize after
the engine control switch is turned
to the ON position. If the fuel tank is
filled while the engine is off, but the
engine control switch is in the ON
position, the fuel gauge needle
takes awhile to show the correct
reading.
See“Low Fuel Warning Light” in
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Diesel Only) 093 and Running Out
of Fuel (Diesel) 0238.Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
With the engine control switch in the
ON position, this gauge indicates
the temperature of the engine
coolant. “C”means cold while “H”
means hot. During operation, the
needle should stay in the safety
zone. See Engine Overheating
0 269.
{Warning
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge shows an overheat
condition or you have any other
reason to suspect the engine may
be overheating, continued
operation of the engine, even for
a short time, may result in a fire
and the risk of personal injury and
severe vehicle damage. Take
immediate action as outlined in
Engine Overheating. See Engine
Overheating 0269.
Caution
If the needle goes up above the
upper limit and enters the H zone,
the engine is likely to overheat.
Immediately pull safely off the
road out of the way of traffic and
take the necessary actions to
deal with engine overheating.
If the needle nears the H zone but
does not cross into it, this is not a
(Continued)
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Instruments and Controls 83
Caution (Continued)
problem, but check the engine
coolant level in the reservoir. Add
engine coolant as necessary.
See “Engine Overheat Warning
Light” under Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Diesel Only) 093 and
Engine Coolant 0263.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Gauge
The DEF gauge is part of the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Diesel Only) 093.
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat Belt Warning Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder
light on the instrument cluster.
This warning light comes on and a
warning buzzer sounds when the
driver is not wearing the seat belt
while the engine control switch is in
the ON position.
When the vehicle speed exceeds
20 km/h (12 mph) with the seat belt
unbuckled, the warning light will
flash and the buzzer will continue to
sound. The warning light will go out
and the warning buzzer will stop
when the driver buckles the
seat belt.
Battery Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
ignition is turned on, but the engine
is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out
when the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system (such as a loose or broken
fan belt). Pull off to a safe place well
clear of traffic and contact your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
Check and Corrective Action
1. Check to see if the fan belt is broken or loose.
2. If the fan belt is loose, adjust the tension.
3. If the fan belt is broken or there is no abnormality in the fan
belt, see your dealer for
service.
See Battery 0281, Jump Starting -
North America 0326, and Engine
Drive Belt Routing 0396.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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84 Instruments and Controls
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light should come on to show
that it is working when the engine
control switch is turned to the ON
position, and then should go out
after the engine is started.
If this light stays on or comes on
while the engine is running, it
indicates a malfunction with the
engine electronic emission control
system. Avoid driving at high
speeds and have the vehicle
inspected by your dealer.
If this light comes on when the fuel
tank is empty, you do not need to
have your vehicle serviced. See
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel)0238. If this light comes on intermittently
or continuously while driving,
service is required. Even if the
vehicle is drivable and does not
require towing, see your dealer as
soon as possible. Continued driving
without having the system serviced
could cause damage to the
emission control system. It could
also affect fuel economy and
drivability.Service Vehicle Soon
Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine control switch is in the ON
position, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show the
light is working. It should go out
when the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, the vehicle control
system may be malfunctioning. Take
the vehicle to your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
Brake System Warning
Light (Parking Brake
Light)
This light should come on briefly
when the engine control switch is
turned to the ON position, and then
should go out after the engine is
started.
Brake System Warning Light
If the light remains on after engine
start up or comes on during
operation of the vehicle, it means
that there is something wrong with
part of the brake system.
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Instruments and Controls 85
The brake system warning light
comes on while the engine is
running (after startup) in the
following situations:
.Drop in the level of brake fluid
(due to brake lining wear or fluid
leakage).
. Abnormality in the charging
system (such as an alternator
malfunction or loose or split
fan belt).
. Abnormality in the anti-lock
brake system (ABS) and EBD
functions. (The ABS warning
light and brake system warning
light will illuminate at the same
time.) See Antilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Light
0 87.
To serve as a reminder, the light
should stay on when the parking
brake is not fully released, and the
engine control switch is on. Have
the system repaired if the light does
not come on when it should. If this
warning light does not go away,
brake inspection and maintenance
should be performed.Check and Corrective Action
1. Check to see that the parking brake has been fully released.
If it has, check the following:
2. For diesel vehicles, turn on the exhaust brake to help slow the
vehicle.
3. Pull off the road and stop carefully. Remember that
stopping distances may be
longer, the pedal may be
harder to push and go down
farther than normal.
4. Check the brake fluid reservoir on the left side of the
instrument panel. If low, add
fluid as needed.
5. If the brake fluid is not low: Try out the brakes by starting and
stopping on the shoulder of the
road, then either drive
cautiously at a safe speed to
the nearest dealer for repair,
if you judge driving to be safe;
or have the vehicle towed to
the nearest dealer for repair. Continued driving without the
necessary repairs could be
dangerous.
If this warning light stays on, see
your dealer.
The regular braking system is a split
system designed so that one part
will provide some braking if there is
a loss of hydraulic pressure in the
other part of the system.
{Warning
If this warning light comes on
while the engine is running,
immediately stop the vehicle at a
safe place well clear of traffic and
contact your dealer for inspection.
When the brake system warning
light is illuminated, brake
effectiveness may be decreased.
When this happens, strongly
press the brake pedal.
See Brakes 0275.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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86 Instruments and Controls
Parking Brake Light
This indicator light comes on when
the parking brake lever is pulled
with the engine control switch on.
This light also stays on when the
parking brake is not fully released
and the engine control switch is on.
If this warning light stays on, see
your dealer.
The illumination of the parking brake
light does not necessarily ensure
firm application of the parking brake.
The parking brake lever must be
sufficiently pulled up and locked.
Be careful not to drive the vehicle
with the parking brake lever still
pulled up.
Brake Low Vacuum Warning
Light
This light should come on briefly
when the engine control switch is
turned to the ON position, and then
should go out after the engine is
started. If the light does not come
on when the engine control switch is
turned to ON, it could indicate a
burned out bulb or a blown fuse.
Have the system repaired if the light
does not come on during this check.
The warning light and buzzer will
come on simultaneously when the
brake booster’s vacuum or pressure
becomes insufficient either during
driving or when the engine control
switch is in the ON position, or when
there is an abnormality in the
charging system, such as an
alternator malfunction or loosening
or splitting of the fan belt or
whenever the hydraulic brake booster (HBB) becomes faulty. The
warning buzzer will stop sounding
when the parking brake is engaged.
On 4500, 4500HD, and 4500XD, the
brake low vacuum warning light and
warning buzzer should come on to
indicate low vacuum reserve for
brake power assist. At the same
time, the Back up Electric Vacuum
Pump operates.
(5500HD, 5500XD models) When
the HBB pressure is low, and/or the
HBB fluid (Dextron©
–III) level is
low, the light and warning buzzer
should come on. Do not use brake
fluid in the brake booster reservoir.
Use only Dextron© –III ATF.
4500 models are equipped with a
Back up Electric Vacuum Pump that
will turn on if brake booster vacuum
becomes insufficient.
If this happens while driving:
. Do not pump the brakes. The
system is designed to stop the
truck with reserve power assist if
the pedal is held down. This
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Instruments and Controls 87
reserve is greatly reduced each
time you apply and release the
brakes.
. Stopping distance may be
longer.
. You may have to push much
harder on the brake pedal.
. Have the vehicle repaired before
you continue driving.
The buzzer stops when the selector
lever is shifted to the P position.
{Warning
Do not drive while the buzzer
sounds as the brakes are not
operating to their full capacity.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine control switch is turned to
the ON position, and then should go
out after approximately
three seconds. If the light does not
come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
This warning light comes on
together with the brake system
warning light whenever there is a
problem in the Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS). In this case, the ABS
stops working but the brakes still
function as ordinary service brakes.
{Warning
If this warning light comes on
while driving, immediately stop
your vehicle at a safe place well
clear of traffic and take the
following actions.
1. Stop the engine.
2. Restart the engine. Check ifthe ABS warning light
comes on and then goes
out. If it does, there is no
problem. The ABS operates
normally.
3. Move the vehicle slowly forward. Gradually increase
the speed to 15 km/h
(9 mph). If the light goes off,
the ABS is normal.
If the light does not come on or
go out, or comes on frequently,
contact your dealer immediately
and have the system repaired. (Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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88 Instruments and Controls
Warning (Continued)
Even if a problem has occurred in
the ABS, the brakes will still work
as normal brakes. In this case,
the ABS has no influence on the
operation of the brake system.
See Brake System Warning Light
(Parking Brake Light) 084 and
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 0217.
Exhaust Brake Light
For diesel vehicles, this light comes
on when the exhaust switch is
pulled and the engine is running.
See Exhaust Brake (Diesel Only)
0 222.
Service Transmission
Warning Light
For diesel vehicles, this light comes
on briefly when the engine control
switch is in the ON position, as a
check
to show the light is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started.
If the warning light starts to blink
while driving, it indicates that there
is a malfunction in the automatic
transmission’s electronic control
system. If the warning light is
blinking, see your dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Temperature
Warning Light
For diesel vehicles, this light comes
on briefly when the engine control
switch is in the ON position, but the
engine is not running, as a check to
show the light is working. It should
go out when the engine is started.
The Automatic Transmission Fluid
(ATF) Temperature warning light
comes on if the ATF temperature is
high. This usually occurs when the
transmission is overfilled and may
be accompanied by leakage of fluid
from the transmission
breather hose.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, slow down and pull off
the road. Stop the vehicle at a safe
place and put the vehicle in
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Instruments and Controls 89
P (Park). With the engine idling, wait
until the light goes off. If the light
goes off, you can drive the vehicle
again. If the light does not go off,
have the automatic transmission
lubricating system checked by your
dealer.
Caution
Driving with the ATF warning light
constantly on can cause serious
mechanical damage to the
automatic transmission.
See Automatic Transmission 0204.
Overdrive Off Light
(Diesel Only)
This light should come on briefly
when the engine control switch is
turned on as a check to make sure
the light is working. It should go out
automatically.
This light comes on when the
overdrive off switch on the selector
lever is turned on. Overdrive will not
operate even when the automatic
transmission is in D, unless engine
speed is excessive.
Wait-to-Start Light
For diesel vehicles, this light comes
on when the engine control switch is
turned to the ON position and goes
out when preheating is complete.
See Starting and Stopping the
Vehicle (Gasoline Only) 0165 or
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle
(Diesel Only) 0168.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
This light should come on briefly
when the engine control switch is
turned to the ON position, and then
should go out after the engine is
started.
This light comes on when the
engine oil pressure has fallen below
the normal level while the engine is
running or the oil pressure across
the oil filter rises above the normal
level while the engine is running.
If the warning light comes on while
driving, immediately pull off to a
safe place and stop the engine.
Check the oil level in the engine
crankcase. If the oil level is normal,
restrictions are in the oil filter or
within the lubricating system. Have
the vehicle inspected at your dealer.