Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
Vehicle Care 259
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Any oil level above the "FULL" mark
on the oil dipstick may cause engine
malfunctions.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0378.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
260 Vehicle Care
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
{Warning
Overfilling of the automatic
transmission can cause the fluid
to be "PURGED" out of the
breather hose onto the hot engine
parts and can cause a fire.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Both quality and quantity of fluid are
important factors that have a
significant influence on the
performance and durability of the
automatic transmission. Be sure to use only the dealer recommended
fluid for replenishment, and observe
the specified fluid level.
Too much or too little transmission
oil could damage your transmission.
Too much could cause your
transmission to overheat and fluid to
spill out from the breather hose. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
When cleaning around the dipstick
and guide tube, make sure that you
thoroughly wipe away all of the dirt
and dust etc. Failure to do so may
cause a fault in the transmission.
Do not let coolants (ethylene glycol
type), water based substances,
or other fluids etc., mix with the
fluid. Otherwise, degraded
performance and faulty operation of
the system will result.
Checking the Automatic
Transmission Oil level
This operation could be difficult and
you may choose to have this done
at your dealer.
If you choose to do it yourself, then
be sure to follow all the instructions
below or you could get a false
reading on the dipstick.
Position of the Dipstick
For the single cab diesel vehicle,
the dipstick is located to the left side
of the automatic transmission at the
rear of the engine. Tilt the cab up to
inspect it.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
Vehicle Care 263
.Diesel Engine Dipstick H
(HOT) —Transmission fluid
temperature Approx. 70 -
80 °C (158 - 176 °F).
. For diesel engines, the “C
(COLD)” range on the
dipstick is a guide used by
your dealer for specialized
equipment used to replace
or service the automatic
transmission fluid. When
performing your own
inspections, always use the
“H (HOT)” range after
warming up the vehicle.
The fluid must be hot to
ensure an accurate check.
The fluid level rises as
temperature increases.
6. If the fluid level is too low, add the specified fluid through the
dipstick guide tube. Also, check
whether there are no fluid
leaks.
7. Insert the dipstick securely into position.{Warning
Be extremely careful not to burn
yourself when checking the oil
level if the engine temperature is
high. Protect yourself with
gloves etc.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Discarded parts, oil, grease and
fluids could have an adverse effect
on the environment. It is difficult to
dispose of these, so have your
dealer handle all checks and
replacements.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Air Cleaner
Use of clogged air cleaner element
not only causes a deterioration in
the engine output but also increased
fuel consumption and dark exhaust
smoke. Be sure to use a genuine air cleaner
element. If other air cleaner element
is used, it may cause the sensor to
output a wrong signal.
See
Maintenance Schedule 0345.
Air Cleaner Indicator Light
(Diesel Vehicles Only)
When the air cleaner indicator light
comes on, check the air cleaner
element. If the air cleaner element is
clogged, replace the air cleaner
element.
See Vehicle Messages (Diesel
Only) 097.
See Maintenance Schedule 0345.
Engine Coolant
Protection of Engine against
Overcooling
Overcooling of the engine not only
accelerates wear of the vital engine
parts but also hurts fuel economy.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
Vehicle Care 265
Warning (Continued)
eyes are still irritated or otherwise
feel abnormal, seek immediate
medical attention.
If the engine coolant gets on your
skin, rinse it off using a soap with
a large amount of water. Also,
if abnormality is seen, seek
medical attention.
Engine coolant is flammable, and
therefore, it must be kept away
from flames and other heat
sources. Engine coolant also
could ignite if it comes in contact
with a hot surface, such as the
exhaust manifold. Exercise
caution to prevent this from
happening.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Preparing Engine Coolant
To prevent engine damage due to
freezing of the engine coolant and
to protect the cooling system from
corrosion, use a mixture of the recommended type antifreeze and
water. If the engine of the vehicle is
at
−30 °C (−22 °F) or above, the
coolant concentration should be
50%. Direct use of “50/50
Pre-diluted” product which is already
diluted to 50% concentration is
recommended. If the outside
temperature engine or vehicle is
used at −30 °C (−22 °F) or below,
coolant concentration of 55% is
recommended.
It is the owner ’s responsibility to:
. Maintain the engine cooling
system freeze protection at or
above −30 °C (−22 °F) (at or
below −30 °C (−22 °F) in colder
climates to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
A 50/50 (55/45 for colder
climates) mixture of the
recommended type antifreeze
and water will provide freeze
protection to at or above −30 °C
(−22 °F), (at or below −30 °C
(−22 °F) in colder climates) and
boil protection to 128 °C
(262 °F). Periodic replacement
of engine coolant is needed to replenish the anticorrosion
additives that wear out with use.
Engine coolant that has become
dark in color shows that it needs
to be changed.
. Use only the recommended
coolant. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0378.
. Do not use methanol-base
antifreeze, alcohol or plain water
alone in your vehicle at any time.
They will boil at a lower point
than that at which the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
warn of overheating, and they do
not provide proper protection
against corrosion.
Engine Coolant Quantity
For the quantity of engine coolant,
see Capacities and Specifications
0 389. After changing the engine
coolant, check that the engine
coolant is up to the specified level.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
272 Vehicle Care
4. If no steam or engine coolantcan be seen or heard from the
engine compartment:
.Tilt the cab or open the
engine access cover.
‐If the engine coolant is
boiling, wait until it stops
before proceeding.
‐ Look at the see-through
reserve tank. The
engine coolant level
should be between the
"MAX" and "MIN" lines
on the reserve tank.
‐ If necessary, pour
engine coolant (See
Engine Coolant 0263
for the proper coolant
and water mixture) into
the reserve tank only,
not directly into the
radiator. Also, do not
check engine coolant
level at the radiator.
. Make sure the fan belts are
not broken, or off the
pulleys, and that the fan
turns when the engine is started. Make sure the fan
blade and pulleys are not
broken.
. Diesel engine only, check
the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator,
water pump, EGR cooler,
and SCR system and hoses
for leakage.
. Gasoline engine only, if the
engine coolant level in the
reserve tank is low, look for
leaks at the radiator hoses
and connections, heater
hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump.
If the engine coolant level in
the reserve tank is at the
correct level but there is still
an indication on the
instrument panel of an
overheat condition:
You must let the engine
cool first. You may then add
engine coolant directly to
the radiator. See "Adding
Engine Coolant" under
Engine Coolant 0263. 5. Inspect to see if there is any
dirt, etc. attached to the front
surface of the radiator. Also,
inspect to see if there is
anything blocking the core.
If there is anything attached,
clean and remove it.
6. After the inspection, regardless of the vehicle condition, please
contact the nearest dealer.
Once the engine coolant
temperature gauge no longer
signals an overheat condition, you
can resume driving at a reduced
speed. Return to normal driving
after about 10 minutes if the gauge
pointer does not again show an
overheat condition.
When tap water only has been used
for engine coolant in an emergency,
change the engine coolant as soon
as possible.
Engine damage may be caused if
an overheating engine is suddenly
refilled with water. Instead, refill
slowly.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
Vehicle Care 273
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid level must
be checked and it must be changed
according to the Maintenance
Schedule. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0345.
When replenishing power steering
fluid or flushing the power steering
system, always use ATF
(Dexron
®-VI). Failure to use the
proper fluid may damage the power
steering system seals and hoses,
leading to fluid leakage.
Checking the Power Steering
Fluid Level
For the 3.0L diesel vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the “MAX” and“MIN” lines on the
reserve tank. If the level is lower
that the “MIN”line, add fluid up to
the “MAX” line.
For the 5.2L diesel vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the“MAX” and“MIN” lines on the
reserve tank. If the level is lower
that the “MIN”line, add fluid up to
the “MAX” line.
The reserve tank is located at the
rear of the engine compartment on
the right. When you have finished
checking the fluid level, securely
install the cap and cover.
For single cab gasoline vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the "MAX" and "MIN" lines on the oil
dipstick. If the level is lower than the
"MIN" line, add fluid up to the
"MAX" line.
The reserve tank is located at the
front left side of the engine.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
274 Vehicle Care
For crew cab gasoline vehicles,
open inspection sub cover, by
pulling the lock lever (red) (1) on the
driver’s seat cushion (2) to unlock it,
raise the cushion and remove the
sub cover. See Engine Cover0250.
When you have finished checking
the fluid level, securely install
the cap.The fluid level is correct if it is
between the "MAX" and "MIN" lines
on the oil dipstick. If the level is
lower than the "MIN" line, add fluid
up to the "MAX" line.
{Warning
Before adding fluid, clean the
area around the cap and pour
fluid from a clean jug or filler.
Foreign matter getting in the tank
may cause power steering system
failure. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not mix the recommended
power steering fluid with fluids of
other brands. Due to chemical
reactions, any mixture of
differently branded fluids may
cause failure of the system.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Washer Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
The windshield washer is equipped
on the windshield wiper arm.
Check the level of fluid in the
windshield washer fluid tank. In
addition, spray windshield washer
fluid and operate the windshield
wipers to check for any areas not
properly wiped. At this time, also
check the spraying condition of the
windshield washer.
Inspect the washer fluid level
regularly, especially during bad
weather conditions.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
Vehicle Care 283
Rear Axle (Gear Oil Viscosity Chart)
Gear Oil Viscosity Chart
Select appropriate gear oil in accordance with the table below. It is important
to select the viscosity appropriate for the temperature at which your vehicle
operates. Use the following table for making correct selections.
Rear Axle (Oil Level
Check)
Rear Axle Differential Gear Oil
The rear axle differential gear oil
level must be checked for its level
and it must be changed according to
the Maintenance Schedule.
Use the oil quantities indicated later
in this section only as guidelines
when changing the rear axle
differential gear oil.
After changing the oil, ensure that it
is at the correct level.
Drained oil must be disposed of in a
method conforming to the regulatory
requirements in your state.