Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 237
parts stores and other automotive
places. See your authorized dealer
for advice on using biocides in your
area and for recommendations on
which biocides you should use.
Smoke Suppressants
Because of extensive testing of
treated fuel versus untreated fuel,
the use of a smoke suppressant
additive is not recommended
because of the greater possibility of
stuck rings and guttered valves,
resulting from excessive ash
deposits.
Water Separator
The purpose of the water separator
is to separate any water from the
fuel that may have formed in the
fuel tank due to condensation.
The water separator is located on
the bottom of the fuel filter.
Caution
Remaining water that is not
discharged from the water
separator could freeze and
damage the vehicle.
If the warning light comes on
while the engine is in operation,
promptly drain the water from the
water separator (fuel filter).
Continuing to drive with the light
remaining on could damage the
fuel injection system. If this
happens, have the vehicle
checked and serviced by the
nearest dealer.
Draining Water from the Fuel
Filter
Clean off any fuel that has adhered
to the vehicle body.
Starting the engine immediately
after draining the water from the fuel
filter requires a little more time than
usual. If the engine does not start in
10 seconds, wait for a while and try
again.Fuel will be mixed in the drained
water. Dispose of it in a method
conforming to the regulatory
requirements in your state.
If the water separator (fuel filter)
requires frequent draining, have the
fuel system inspected at your
dealer.Pre Fuel Filter (Chassis-side)
1. Attach a plastic hose to the drain plug (2) on the bottom of
the chassis-side fuel filter and
put the other end of the hose in
a container placed beneath the
filter.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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238 Driving and Operating
2. Loosen the drain plug andmove the priming pump (1) up
and down by hand between
10 and 20 times.
3. Fully tighten the drain plug (2) and move the priming pump (1)
several times.
Fuel Filter (Engine-side)
1. Attach a plastic hose to the drain plug (2) on the bottom of
the engine-side fuel filter (1)
and put the other end of the
hose in a container placed
beneath the filter.
2. Loosen the drain plug andmove the priming pump up and
down by hand between 10 and
20 times.
3. Fully tighten the drain plug and move the priming pump several
times.
4. Test run the engine and check that there are no fuel leaks
from the drain plug of the
engine-side fuel filter. Also
check that the water separator
(fuel filter) warning light
stays off.
Running Out of Fuel
(Diesel)
When the Fuel Tank is Empty
When the fuel tank is empty, air will
enter the fuel system, so refueling
alone will not be enough to restart
the engine. Use the following
methods to bleed the fuel system.
Bleeding the Fuel System
Steps for Refueling
1. Follow the directions in "Parking Brake Lever" under
Parking Brake 0221.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 239
2. Select the correct fuel (See"Diesel Fuel Requirement and
Fuel System"). Follow any
posted safety rules. Stand to
the side, never above or
opposite the filler opening.
3. Check that the fuel cap is tight, and see to it that engine oil,
engine coolant in the reservoir,
and washer fluid, etc. are at
proper levels. Then do the
Driver Daily Checklist.
See Owner Checks and Services
0 367.
Driving your vehicle until the fuel
tank is empty may activate the
check engine malfunction indicator
light. You do not need to have your
vehicle checked. After refueling,
perform the following:
. Bleed the fuel system.
. Start, turn off and restart the
engine three or four times.
. The check engine malfunction
indicator light will be cancelled. Before Starting the Engine
1. The priming pump (1) is
located on the outboard side of
the left frame rail, in front of the
batteries. Place a container
beneath the air bleed plug (2)
to receive fuel, and then fully
loosen the plug.
2. Attach a clear hose onto the air bleed plug, direct the clear
hose into a catch pan.
3. Pump the priming pump (1) up/ down for 65 times to get most
of the air bubbles out. Note fuel
was drawn into the filter bowl at
around 40 - 50 times. 4. Fully retighten the air bleed
plug (2) and wipe off any fuel
that may have adhered to the
plug or surrounding area.
5. Continue to operate the pump for 50 times.
6. Start the engine.
7. If the engine does not start, repeat steps 5 and 6 as
necessary until it does start.
After Starting the Engine 1. Without pressing the accelerator pedal, start the
engine.
2. After the engine has started, allow it to idle for about
5 seconds.
3. Fully press the accelerator pedal and increase the engine
speed to the maximum speed
for 10 seconds. (Repeat this
operation several times.)
Insufficient air bleeding can result in
faulty engine operation. Be sure,
therefore, to always carry out the
previous steps under "After starting
the engine".
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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252 Vehicle Care
Checking the Engine Oil Level
Press the engine oil level check
switch. If engine oil level is low the
red oil pressure warning light will
turn on. If the engine oil level is
above the "OK", the green oil level
indicator will turn on.
The oil level varies while the engine
is running, right after it is stopped,
and on sloping ground. When
checking the oil level, be sure the
vehicle is on level ground while the
engine is cool.
The engine oil level must be kept at
the right level to help assure proper
lubrication of your vehicle's engine.It is the owner's responsibility to
check the oil level at regular
intervals (such as every fuel stop),
according to the following
instructions. Park the vehicle on a
level surface and check the engine
oil level before starting or at least
30 minutes after turning off the
engine.
3.0L Shown, 5.2L Similar
1. Remove the oil dipstick (2) and wipe off any oil on the oil
dipstick.
3.0L Shown, 5.2L Similar
2. Reinsert the oil dipstick fully and then gently remove it.
The oil is at the correct level if
the oil level is between the
"Position A" and "MIN" marks.
3. If the oil level is too low, add oil to the "FULL" mark.
If the oil level is beyond the
"Position A" mark, the oil needs
to be changed.
4. Reinstall the oil dipstick into position after checking the oil
level.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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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.-
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276 Vehicle Care
Follow the recommendations for
brake checks in the Maintenance
Schedule.
GM replacement brake lining
material is recommended for this
vehicle to maintain the balance
between front and rear brake
performance. GM replacement
brake parts have been carefully
selected to provide the proper brake
balance for purposes of both
stopping distance and controllability
over the full range of operating
conditions. Installation of front or
rear brake lining material with
performance different from that of
the replacement parts
recommended for this vehicle can
change the intended brake balance
of this vehicle.
Checking the Brake Electric
Vacuum Pump (4500HD/
4500XD Series)
1. Turn the engine control switchto the "ON" position (do not
start the engine), and press the
brake pedal several times. 2. Check for the noisy sound of
the electric vacuum pump
inside the instrument panel at
the same time as vacuum
warning buzzer sound, and
check that the brake low
vacuum warning light
comes on.
3. Then, start the engine. The main vacuum pump driven by
the engine will start running.
If the electric vacuum pump
operation (noisy sound) and
the vacuum warning buzzer
stop, and the brake low
vacuum warning light goes off
thereafter, the operation is
normal.
4. If you cannot hear the noisy sound or the noisy sound stays
on all the time, have the
vehicle inspected by the
nearest dealer immediately.Hydraulic Brake Booster (HBB)
The 5500HD, 5500XD models are
equipped with a HBB system. HBB
is a brake booster device that utilizes hydraulic pressure from the
HBB pump integral with the power
steering pump.
If the brake booster warning light
comes on or a warning buzzer
continues to sound, there may be a
problem with the HBB.
If this warning light comes on while
driving, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place well clear of
traffic and promptly contact the
nearest dealer for inspection.
Hydraulic brake booster (HBB)
characteristics
In the 5500HD, 5500XD models, an
unusual sound from under the
instrument panel may be heard from
the hydraulic system while brakes
are used. It does not mean trouble.
It is not a sign of malfunction.
If you pump the brakes with the
engine off, a squeaking sound can
be heard. This comes from the
auxiliary accumulator. It is not a
malfunction. With the engine
running, a similar sound can be
heard during sudden braking.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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278 Vehicle Care
major brake problems. As such,
mixing of these two fluids can
ultimately lead to vehicle fire or
other serious accidents.
When the pump operates while the
engine is running, the fluid in the
hydro- booster will become hot.
During normal braking, the
temperature in piping and within
the hydro-booster can rise above
100 °C (212 °F). For this reason,
special care will be required when
working with hydro-booster
components. If the hydro- booster is
to be removed from the vehicle,
shut off the engine and then allow at
least 30 minutes for it to cool down
before beginning this operation.
Even when the engine is stopped,
the hydro-booster's accumulator will
remain in a highly-pressurized
condition for a significant period of
time. Before removing the
hydro-booster or piping from the
vehicle, stop the engine and
depress the brake pedal at least 10
times in order to lower the
accumulator pressure to
atmospheric pressure. This is of
particular importance whenremoving components such as the
accumulator or pressure switch from
the hydro-booster. If these
operations are attempted while the
accumulator is still at a high
pressure, hydro-booster fluid may
spray out.
Checking the Hydro-booster Fluid
Level
Check the hydro-booster fluid level
and change the fluid according to
the Maintenance Schedule.
The hydro-booster fluid level is
correct if it is between the "MAX"
and "MIN" lines. If the level is too
low, add fluid up to the "MAX" line.
Be sure to use ATF Dexron
®-VI fluid
when adding fluid. The brake
booster reservoir is located behind
the cab on the left side.
Brake Pedal
Stroke
Shut off the engine and press the
brake pedal about 10 times strongly,
then check the brake pedal for free
play by lightly pushing it by hand
until you feel resistance.
Free play (measured at the tip of pedal)
4 - 7 mm (0.16 - 0.28 in) (3500/4500)
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282 Vehicle Care
filler caps. You will never have to
add water. Remember to check and
recharge the battery as necessary,
as well as keep connection clean.
The hydrometer (green-eye test
indicator) in the top of each battery
(if equipped) provides information
for testing purposes only.
If the vehicle is not going to be
driven for 30 days or longer,
disconnect the ground cable from
the negative (–) terminal of the
batteries to prevent discharge.
For full power needs at replacement
time, a battery with the same
specifications, as shown on the
original battery's label, is
recommended.
{Warning
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
harm. Wash hands after handling.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Fuel Filter
Change the fuel filter in accordance
with the Maintenance Schedule or
when the fuel filter indicator light
(amber) comes on.
Drain the water when the water
separator (fuel filter) warning light
comes on. (Drain the water from the
chassis-side fuel filter and
engine-side fuel filter.)
Failure to replace the fuel filter when
needed may lead to fuel system
damage. Your authorized dealer can
inspect your fuel filter and replace
your fuel filter, if needed.