Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
66 Storage
Maximum Front and Rear Axle
Weights
The weight of the cargo load must
be properly distributed over both the
front and rear axles. For the 3.0L
diesel engine, the VIN and weight
rating plate shows the maximum
weight that the front axle can carry
(front GAWR). For the 5.2L diesel
engine, the“VIN, Weight Rating,
and Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Emissions Plate” shows the
maximum weight that the front axle
can carry (front GAWR). For gas
engines, the “Vehicle Certification
and Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Emissions Plate” shows the
maximum weight that the front axle can carry (front GAWR). It also
shows the maximum weight that the
rear axle can carry (rear GAWR).
The GVWR is the maximum
permissible loaded weight of the
vehicle and takes into account the
capabilities of the engine,
transmission, frame, springs,
brakes, axles and tires. Actual loads
at the front and the rear axles can
only be determined by weighing the
vehicle. This can be done at
highway weigh stations or other
such places. See your dealer for
help. The cargo load should be
distributed on both sides of the
center line as equally as possible.
Tires
The tires on your truck must be of
the proper size and properly inflated
for the load that you are carrying.
For the 3.0L diesel engine, the VIN
and weight rating plate shows the
originally equipped tire size and
recommended inflation pressures.
For the 5.2L diesel engine, the
“VIN,
Weight Rating, and Greenhouse
Gas (GHG) Emissions Plate” shows
the originally equipped tire size and
recommended inflation pressures. For gas engines, the
“Vehicle
Certification and Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) Emissions Plate” shows the
originally equipped tire size and
recommended inflation pressures.
The tire inflation tables show the
load limits for various size tires at
various inflation pressures.
For the vehicle plate location, see
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
0 383.
See “Tire Load and Inflation Table”
under Tire Pressure 0322.
Load Cargo Correctly
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
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.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
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
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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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.-
10716700) - 2017 - crc - 12/6/16
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
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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132 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 143
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 144
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 148
Emergencies(Troubleshooting) . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Emergencies (Disabled Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 162
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Starting and Stopping theVehicle (Gasoline Only) . . . . . 165
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle (Diesel Only) . . . . . . . . 168
Operating Temperature . . . . . . . 172
Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown (Diesel Only) . . . . . 174
Idle Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
High Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Engine Checks Before Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Diesel Particulate Filter
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 180
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 189
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 204
Selector Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Overdrive Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Exhaust Brake (Diesel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Cruise Control
Cruise Control (Diesel) . . . . . . . 224
Cruise Control (Gas) . . . . . . . . . 227
Driver Assistance Systems
Speed Limiter (GasolineVehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Fuel
Fuel (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 232
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . 232
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Cold Weather Operation(Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Water in Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . 236
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Power Take-Off (PTO) . . . . . . . . 242
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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134 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
If a warning light comes on or a
buzzer sounds while you are
driving, immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe place and
perform checks.
Slow down sufficiently when
approaching a curve. Applying the
brakes or sharply turning the
steering wheel while turning the
curve could cause the cargo to
shift, the tires to slip and the
vehicle to tip onto its side.
Avoid scraping the tire sidewalls
against curbstones or driving over
dips and protrusions in the road
surface. You could damage the
tires, resulting in a blowout or
flat tire.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Pulling Away After Stopping
and Parking
Before pulling away, check that
there are no children or obstructions
around the vehicle and confirm that
it is safe to pull away.
If you cannot see the area behind
your vehicle well enough to confirm
it is safe to back up, get out of the
vehicle and check behind it.
Make it a habit to look around and
confirm that it is safe to pull away
after a temporary stop (at traffic
lights, for example).
If the Windshield Fogs Up
Use the heater to blow hot air on the
windshield or dehumidify the cabin
using the air conditioner and place
the outlet selector knob in the
5or
4position.
Place the air selector lever in the
outside air position.
Nighttime Visibility
If there is an old film on the
windshield, the lights of oncoming
traffic will be reflected in many directions, making it hard for you to
see ahead. Use glass cleaner to
clean the glass and the wiper
blades.
Worn wiper blades cannot wipe the
windshield clean and thus cannot
maintain visibility. When the wiper
blades become worn, replace them
with new ones.
Do Not Attach Accessories to
the Windshield or Windows
{Warning
Do not attach ornaments, films or
other accessories to the
windshield or windows. They
would impair visibility. Also, any
plastic suction cups used to
attach accessories could cause a
fire or other accident by acting as
lenses.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 135
Never Stop the Engine While
Driving
{Warning
Do not move the engine control
switch away from the "ON"
position while the vehicle is being
driven.
If the engine stops while the
vehicle is moving, the brake
booster does not work, and the
brakes would not work properly.
The engine could also be
damaged.
Stopping the engine while driving
would be extremely dangerous
because the power steering
would stop working, making the
steering wheel extremely hard
to turn.
Stopping the engine while driving
would be extremely dangerous
because the warning lights,(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
indicator lights and other
electrical circuitry would
completely stop working.
Placing the engine control switch
in the "LOCK" position while
driving would be extremely
dangerous because the key could
come out, causing the steering
wheel to lock so that you could
not turn it.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Avoid Unnecessary Idling of
the Engine
If the engine idles too long, the
engine coolant temperature will fall
below the operating range. Low
engine operating temperature
causes several conditions that are
harmful to engine operation and life.
Incomplete combustion of fuel in an
engine that is not fully warmed-up
causes crankcase dilution and
forms lacquer and gummy deposits on valves, pistons, and rings. It also
causes rapid accumulation of
sludge within the engine.
Driving at Night
Nighttime driving is more dangerous
than daytime driving because the
field of view is narrower. Keep your
speed down, and maintain an ample
headway distance.
Metallic Plinking Sound from
the Muffler
Immediately after stopping the
engine, you may hear a metallic
plinking sound from the muffler. This
sound occurs as the muffler cools
down and contracts. It does not
indicate an abnormality or
breakdown.
When the Silencer and
Exhaust Pipe are Hot
{Warning
When the engine is running and
immediately after vehicle
operation, the DPF, silencer, and
(Continued)