Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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242 Driving and Operating
and other systems, resulting in a
vehicle breakdown or in a
malfunction of electronic equipment.
Consult your dealer if you wish to
install radio equipment.
Power Take-Off (PTO)
If equipped, the PTO is a device
that is used to provide engine power
to special equipment directly from
the engine or through the
transmission. For details about the
PTO operation, refer to the separate
instruction manual provided by its
maker.
If the optional PTO function is used
for long periods of time, make sure
to regularly check the diesel
particulate filter (DPF) indicator.
Automatic DPF regeneration will not
take place while the PTO function is
active.
1. Engine Speed ControlSwitch
2. Main Switch
{Warning
In PTO mode, Cruise Set/Resume
Switch can be used exactly the
same as PTO Engine Speed
Control Switch. Improper
operation of these switches may
cause personal injury or damage.
When Operating the PTO
For operation of special equipment,
see the manufacturer ’s instructions.Installations, or alterations to the
original equipment vehicle or
chassis, as manufactured and
assembled by General Motors, are
not covered by this warranty. The
body company, assembler,
or equipment installer is solely
responsible for warranties on the
body or equipment and any
alterations to any of the parts,
components, systems,
or assemblies installed by GM.
Examples include, but are not
limited to, special body installation,
such as recreational vehicles, the
installation of any non-GM part,
cutting, welding, or the
disconnecting of original equipment
vehicle or chassis parts and
components, extension of the
wheelbase, suspension, and
driveline modifications, and axle
additions.
The engine control module (ECM)
has the ability to accommodate one
of three different PTO modes. Each
mode can be programmed to
accommodate many PTO devices.
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244 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 245
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 245
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Cab Tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Engine Oil (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Oil (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . 257
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 263
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 269
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 273
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Fuel Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Rear Axle (Gear Oil Viscosity
Chart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Rear Axle (Oil Level Check) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 284
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check
(Diesel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 286
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Headlamps and Front Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Roofmarker Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Sidemarker Lamps (Including Turn Signal and Cornering
Lamps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 297
Interior Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 298
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
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246 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
vehicle or its equipment. If you
have any questions about
carrying out some service, have
the work done by a skilled
technician.
To prevent personal injury, keep
hands, tools and clothing clear of
the engine cooling fan when the
engine is running.
The engine, exhaust pipe and
radiator will be hot immediately
after the vehicle is driven. Be
careful around these parts to
prevent burns. Perform all checks
when the engine is cold.
Do not perform work near an
open flame or other heat sources.
Do not let the engine run in poorly
ventilated garages or sheds. This
could cause carbon monoxide
poisoning.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Performing maintenance work on
a truck or chassis can be
dangerous. In trying to do some
jobs, you can be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance work
only if you have the required
know-how and the proper tools
and equipment for the job. If you
have any doubts, contact your
dealer.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
For gasoline vehicles, pull firmly on
the parking brake lever and put the
transmission in neutral. Move the
selector lever to “P”and make sure
the shift indicator displays "P".
For diesel vehicles, pull firmly on the
parking brake lever and move the
selector lever to "P" and make sure
the shift indicator displays "P".
Make sure to turn off the engine and
remove the key from the engine
control switch before performing any
checks. Select a place with a solid and level
surface to perform the checking and
maintenance work. Make sure to
chock the wheels. It would be very
dangerous if the vehicle started
to move.
For gasoline vehicles, when
performing work on the electrical
system, be sure to remove the cable
from the negative terminal on the
battery.
For diesel vehicles, when
performing work on the electrical
system, begin by turning the engine
control switch to the "LOCK"
position, wait at least 3 minutes, and
then disconnect the negative cable
from the negative terminal on
battery. If the negative cable is
disconnected within 3 minutes, the
engine control module may
malfunction.
For gasoline vehicles, when working
on the fuel line or fuel pump,
remove the fuel tank filler cap. The
fuel system is under pressure and
the fuel will overspill unless the
pressure is relieved, possibly
leading to combustion or a fire.
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Vehicle Care 247
For diesel vehicles, when working
on the fuel line or fuel filter, remove
the fuel tank filler cap. The fuel
system is under pressure and the
fuel will overspill unless the
pressure is relieved, possibly
leading to combustion or a fire.
Do not make engine adjustments
yourself. Be sure to consult your
dealer.
Use only appropriate tools.
Oils, brake fluid and engine coolant
have lubrication, cooling and rust
prevention functions. If these liquids
deteriorate through loss or
contamination, it will cause a
decline in the performance of the
parts and such problems as seizure
or malfunctioning. Replenish or
change these liquids when
performing the checks (daily and
periodic checks) as required by the
relevant regulations or in
accordance with the Maintenance
Schedule (when either the specified
driving distance or period of time,
whichever comes first, has expired).Confirm that all systems and
components are normal after
performing the work.
Do not leave the removed parts or
tools in the engine compartment.
They could damage the equipment if
caught in the belts or other moving
components.
Dirty water, dirt and other impurities
seriously impair the effectiveness of
the oil, grease and fluids, and
damage the parts. Exercise all due
caution to prevent waste or other
refuse from coming in contact with
parts or materials that have been
removed when changing or
replenishing them.
Do not step on the engine or climb
onto it. You could cause an engine
failure by, for example, damaging
the cylinder head cover or various
connectors.
Electric Welding
Careless electric welding of vehicle
parts can cause welding current to
flow back through the vehicle’s
ground circuit and damage electrical
and electronic parts so that they donot function normally. Whenever
electric welding is necessary,
consult your dealer.
Cab Tilting
Before Tilting the Cab (Single Cab
Model)
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury and
property damage:
. Park the vehicle on level
ground and check that there
is enough space in front of
and above the cab.
. Set the parking brake firmly
and block the front wheels.
. Move the selector lever in
the "P" position.
. Secure loose articles in
the cab.
. Stop the engine.
. Close the cab door.
(Continued)
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266 Vehicle Care
{Warning
For storage, close the cap of
coolant container securely and
keep it in a place inaccessible to
children.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Using any coolant other than that
recommended by your dealer could
cause damage to the engine,
radiator or heater core. In particular,
use of coolants containing borate
salts or silicates may result in
engine or radiator corrosion,
causing engine coolant leaks and
other problems.
To dilute the coolant, use distilled
water or deionized water.
Do not use the coolant at any
coolant concentration other than
that specified. If the coolant
concentration is 60% or higher,
overheating is likely to occur, while
if it is 30% or lower, anti-corrosion
function is not provided sufficiently. Using coolant at any coolant
concentration other than that
specified may reduce anti-freezing
performance, and engine coolant
may freeze.
If the engine coolant decreases
rapidly, go immediately to the
nearest dealer for a check and
repair.
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level
For the single cab model, the
engine coolant reserve tank is
located behind the front-right wheel.
See
Cab Tilting 0247.
For the 3.0L diesel and the 6.0L
crew cab models, the engine
coolant reserve tank is under the
access panel beneath the left rear
seat. See Engine Cover 0250.
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Vehicle Care 277
Another characteristic of the HBB
system is that the brake pedal may
be depressed easily to the floor with
the vehicle at a stop. This is not a
sign of malfunction.
When the engine is running, the
system automatically charges the
accumulator whenever pressure has
been reduced after braking. Auto
charge may be activated without
braking, depending on temperature
changes in the accumulator. During
auto charge, a hissing and clicking
sound can be heard. This is not a
malfunction.
With the engine running, a booming
sound can be heard during hard
braking. This comes from the
brake-fluid pump. It is not a
malfunction.
Applying continuous hard braking
for a long time will lead to
considerable temperature rise in the
HBB pump. Such overworking of the
brakes is best avoided.Vacuum or hydraulic power
assisted brakes
If the engine stops, do not pump the
brakes. The system is designed to
stop the vehicle with reserve power
assist if the brake pedal is held
down. This reserve is greatly
reduced each time you apply and
release the brakes. If, when you
turn the steering wheel during
braking, the vehicle does not turn,
release some pressure from the
brake pedal.
In a Vehicle Equipped with a HBB,
Do Not Keep the Brake Pedal
Depressed for an Extended Period
Caution
Failure to follow the above
instruction will cause the oil inside
the HBB oil pump to get very hot.
This could damage the HBB tank
and deteriorate seals and also
could cause damage to the HBB
oil pump, HBB unit and/or HBB
hosing. Eventual leakage of HBB
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
oil, sudden increase in brake
pedal resistance and fire could
unexpectedly result in an
accident.
Hydraulic Brake Booster (HBB)
Fluid (5500HD/5500XD Series)
The HBB system has been
designed to use ATF Dexron fluid is
used with this system, rubber
components may be damaged, oil
may leak and the system may
malfunction. It is important to
remember that the fluid used in the
hydro-booster is completely different
in characteristics from the brake
fluid used in the master and wheel
cylinders.
If hydro-booster fluid and brake fluid
from the master cylinder are
mistakenly mixed together and
used, rubber components will
deteriorate as a result of insufficient
lubrication. Any resultant oil leakage
or system malfunction can in turn
lead to dragging brakes or other
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Vehicle Care 279
5 - 10 mm (0.20 - 0.39 in)
(3500HD/4500HD/4500XD)
24 - 29 mm (0.95 - 1.14 in) (5500HD/5500XD)
1. Clearance from the floor.
2. Brake pedal bracket.
Next, start the engine, and wait at
least 1 minute. Then press the
brake pedal and measure the
clearance (1) of the pedal from the
floor (that is, the distance between
the brake pedal bracket (2) and the
brake pedal arm). Clearance between the brake
pedal and the brake pedal bracket with a pressure of 490 N (110 lbs)
applied to the brake pedal
35 mm (1.38 in) or more (3500HD/ 4500HD/4500XD)
45 mm (1.77 in) or more (3500/4500)
Clearance between the brake
pedal and the brake pedal bracket
with a pressure of 294 N (66 lbs) applied to the brake pedal
45 mm (1.77 in) or more (3500/4500)
35 mm (1.38 in) or more (3500HD/ 4500HD/4500XD/5500HD/ 5500XD)
If, after continued pressing of the
brake pedal, the clearance slowly
decreases or the pedal action feels
spongy, air may be trapped in the
brake hydraulic circuit. Have your
vehicle inspected at the nearest
dealer as soon as possible. If your vehicle's brakes squeak
during normal driving or braking, the
cause may be one of the following.
‐
Brake pad wear
Brake pads are about to wear
out. If this happens, have your
vehicle inspected at the nearest
dealer as soon as possible.
‐ Adherence of sand, grit or mud
If sand, grit or mud adheres to
the brakes, a screeching sound
may be emitted upon contact with
rotating components. If this
happens, wash the vehicle to
remove all such adhering matter.
If cleaning alone does not
eliminate the squeaking sound,
have your vehicle inspected at
the nearest dealer.Brake Hoses and Pipes
Inspection
With the steering wheel turned fully
to the left, check the left front brake
hose and pipe visually and by
touch, making sure that they are
free of scratches, cracks and
bulging. Also make sure that the
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280 Vehicle Care
hose and pipe do not interfere with
any chassis part or wheel, and that
their joints are not leaking and are
free of any type of damage. Check
the right front brake hose and pipe
in the same way. The rear left and
right brake hoses and pipes should
also be checked in the same
manner.
Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes
If the brake pads and shoe linings
wear out beyond their usable limit,
not only will the brake performance
be impaired, but brake components
could also fail.
{Warning
Do not drive with brake pads and
shoe linings worn out beyond the
limit. Excessively worn brake
pads and shoe linings may cause
breakdown of brake components
and poor braking performance.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Caution
The pad has an embedded wear
indicator. A squeaking noise from
the indicator means that the pad
is approaching the usable limit.
If the squeaking noise from the
indicator can be heard, contact
the nearest dealer for inspection
or replacement.
Brake Fluid
Checking the Brake Fluid
Level
Remove the inspection cover (1) on
the left- hand side of the instrument
panel by turning it with your fingers.
Check that the fluid level in the
reservoir is between the "MAX" and
"ADD" lines.
If the fluid surface cannot easily be
seen, rock the vehicle gently.
Adding Brake Fluid
If the level of brake fluid has
dropped below the "ADD" line,
remove the cap (2) and add fluid.
Take care to avoid filling beyond the
"MAX" line.
Tighten the cap securely after the
fluid has been added.
When adding brake fluid to the tank,
take care to prevent dirt and water
from entering it. Any dirt or water in
the system could cause the vehicle
to lose braking functions.
Inspect and change brake fluid
according to the Maintenance
Schedule.
Use the recommended brake fluid
when adding brake fluid.