Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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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)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Instruments and Controls 91
Engine Shutdown
Warning Light
The Engine Shutdown Warning light
comes on briefly when the engine
control switch is turned to the ON
position, as a check to show the
light is working. The light turns off
when the engine is started.
This light will come on when the
engine alarm and automatic
shutdown system is active. See
Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown (Diesel Only)0174.
Reduced Engine Power
Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine control switch is turned to
the ON position, and then should go
out after the engine is started.
Diesel Engines
If this light comes on while the
engine is running, it indicates power
is being reduced due to one or more
of the following conditions:
.
Malfunction of the engine or
exhaust electronic control
system.
. DEF level is too low or empty.
If this light comes on with the
malfunction indicator lamp, see your
dealer immediately. If this light comes on with the Refill
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) warning
light and the DEF warning light, refill
DEF as soon as possible.
See
“Refill Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Warning Light” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Diesel
Only) 093.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 084 and
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning
Light 090.
Gas Engines
If this light comes on while the
engine is running, this means the
engine is overheating and in
overheat protection mode. The
overheat protection mode alternates
firing groups of cylinders in order to
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, the engine loses power and
performance. This operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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92 Instruments and Controls
After driving in the overheated
engine protection mode, allow the
engine to cool before attempting
any repair to avoid engine damage.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss and change the oil. See
Engine Overheating0269.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use or
the headlamps are cycled between
high and low beams (passing
signal).
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0104.
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Indicator Light
This light comes on when the DRL
are on. If the vehicle is started
during the daytime with the lighting
switch off and the parking brake
released, the low beam headlamps
will come on at a reduced
brightness. The light will go out
when the lighting switch is
turned on.
See Exterior Lamp Controls 0103.
Cruise Control 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.
For vehicles with cruise control, this
light comes on when cruise control
is turned on.
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.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Instruments and Controls 97
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages
(Diesel Only)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
will display warnings, messages,
and other operation-related
information to alert of system
failures or other necessary checks
that should be performed. Use the
DIC selector to choose the desired
screen page or function.
Engine Overheat Warning
Light
OVERHEAT
This message displays and a
warning light appears when the
engine has overheated and the
engine coolant temperature gauge
needle reaches the red zone. At the
same time a buzzer sounds.
Immediately pull off to a safe place
to take the necessary actions and
check the vehicle. Do not shut down
an overheating engine immediately.Otherwise, the engine may seize
up. Take appropriate actions for
engine overheating.
This light will also activate the
engine alarm and automatic
shutdown system, if equipped.
See
Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown (Diesel Only) 0174,
Engine Overheating 0269, Engine
Coolant 0263, and Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 082.
{Warning
When the engine coolant is still
hot, do not remove the radiator
cap. Hot vapor will come out and
you may be scalded. Add engine
coolant only when the engine
coolant temperature has dropped.
If this light comes on and stays on
while you are driving, your engine
coolant might have overheated
and your engine may be too hot.
You should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and take appropriate
actions for engine overheating.
Low Coolant Warning Light
LOW COOLANT
If this message and light come on,
the system is low on engine coolant
and the engine may overheat.
A warning tone also sounds. If this
light comes on while driving, stop
the vehicle immediately and check
the cooling system for leaks. See
Engine Coolant 0263 and have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. This
light will also activate the engine
alarm and automatic shutdown
system.
See Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown (Diesel Only) 0174 and
Engine Shutdown Warning Light
0 91.
Water Separator (Fuel Filter)
Warning Light
WATER SEPARATOR
This message displays and a
warning light appears when the
level in the water separator on the
fuel line is beyond the specified
level. Drain water following the
instructions in the Water in Fuel
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136 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
exhaust pipe are extremely hot.
Be careful not to inadvertently
touch them when working near
them (for example, tilting the cab
or operating an attachment). You
and others could be seriously
injured.
Recommendations for Driving
in Hot Regions
The engine is more likely to
overheat in an environment where
the ambient temperature is high. To
prevent the engine from
overheating, pay attention to the
following points:
.If the engine does not contain
the appropriate concentration of
engine coolant, overheating is
likely to occur.
Refer to Engine Coolant 0263.
. Do not put well water, river water
or other hard water in the engine
cooling system. It would hasten
the formation of rust and scale. .
If foreign matter (insects, mud,
etc.) gets stuck in the radiator's
air passages, the cooling
system's performance will
deteriorate. Check the air
passages for clogging, and
remove any foreign matter using
water under low pressure.
Refer to Exterior Care 0334.
When Turning, the Rear
Wheels will Follow Tighter
Curves than the Front Wheels
Use the mirrors to confirm safety.
Sidewinds
If the vehicle catches a sidewind
and drifts sideways, firmly grip the
steering wheel, decelerate to a
speed that allows you to stay
completely in control, and make a
directional correction. The vehicle
may catch strong sidewinds in the
following situations:
.
Emerging from a tunnel
. Driving over a bridge
. Driving on an embankment
. Driving through a cutting .
Being overtaken by a large truck
or bus
. Overtaking a large truck or bus
Flat Tire
If a blowout or flat tire occurs while
you are driving, calmly grip the
steering wheel and gradually apply
the brakes to decelerate. (Hard
braking would be dangerous
because it could cause the steering
wheel to be pulled to one side.)
Stop the vehicle in a safe place, and
change the tire.
Hard Bump Under Vehicle
If the underside of the vehicle
receives a hard bump, stop in a safe
place where the vehicle will not
obstruct traffic and check for brake
fluid leakage, fuel leakage and
component damage. If any part of
the vehicle is damaged or broken,
promptly have the vehicle inspected
and repaired.
Highways
.Speeds on highways are higher
than those on regular roads, so
there is more danger. Also, a
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140 Driving and Operating
must park your vehicle on a slope,
be sure to set the parking brake
fully. Make sure that the vehicle
does not move, and block the
wheels with chocks for added
safety. Also, leave the vehicle in
gear to further ensure that it will not
move. Leave the steering wheel
turned such that the vehicle will be
stopped by an obstruction (for
example, the curb) in the unlikely
event that it moves.
Stopping and Parking with the
Engine Running
{Warning
When parking with the engine
running, first come to a complete
stop, then firmly apply the parking
brake, then move the selector
lever to the "P" (Park) position.
Unless you take these steps, any
unintended pressure on the
accelerator pedal could cause an
accident.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
To reduce the chance of personal
injury and/or vehicle damage due
to engine overheating, never
leave the engine idling without an
alert driver present. If the engine
should overheat, as indicated by
the engine coolant temperature
gauge, immediate action is
required to correct the condition.
Continued operation of the
engine, even for a short time, may
result in a fire. Do not engage the
exhaust brake while the engine is
idling as this may cause engine
overheating.
The diesel particulate filter (DPF)
may automatically start
regeneration when the vehicle is
stopped and parked with the
engine running. To prevent a fire,
make sure there is no flammable
material near the muffler, DPF,
and exhaust pipe. Be careful not
to get burned by hot exhaust
gases.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Do Not Forget to Release the
Parking Brake
Pulling away with the parking brake
still applied can damage the brake
system.
Before pulling away, make sure the
parking brake is not set by checking
that the parking brake indicator light
is not on.
Be Sure to Have the Engine
Running When the Vehicle is
Moving
{Warning
When the engine is not running,
the power steering system does
not work so the steering wheel is
hard to turn. Also, the brake
booster does not work so there is
little braking ability. If you coast (Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 155
SymptomCauseCorrective Action Reference
Black exhaust smoke (Diesel) Engine Control system
faulty
4-
The air cleaner clogged
4-
Fuel system faulty
4-
Exhaust system clogged
4-
Exhaust injector
4-
Diesel particulate filter
(DPF) faulty
4-
Engine is overheating No engine coolant Add engine coolant
See
Engine
Coolant 0263
Front of radiator is
clogged with dirt Wash clean with tap
waterSee
Exterior Care
0 334
Radiator cap not
sufficiently tightened Make sure it is firmly
tightened or replace the
radiator cap
-
Fan belt loose Adjust the tension or
replace the beltSee
Engine Drive
Belt Routing 0396
Engine coolant dirty
4-
Fan clutch is faulty
4-
Radiator cap dirty or
faulty Clean or replace -
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166 Driving and Operating
engine is running. If it stays on,
shut the engine off and find the
cause.
2. Look at the engine coolant temperature gauge. If the
gauge reaches the H (HOT)
area, stop the engine and find
the cause of the overheating.
3. Check that the battery warning light has gone out. The light
should go off and stay off at
normal idle speeds. If the light
does not go out or comes on
during normal operation, have
the charging system checked.
4. Check that the brake low vacuum warning light is out
and that the vacuum buzzer is
not sounding. It is normal for
the warning buzzer to sound
for a few seconds after the
engine starts. If the light and
buzzer remain on, do not drive
the vehicle until the cause has
been found and corrected.
5. Look at the brake system warning light. It should be out
when the parking brake is
released and the engine is running. If it stays on, it could
mean that the brake fluid level
is low. Check the brake fluid
reservoir. This condition must
be corrected before moving the
vehicle.
Caution
To reduce the chance of personal
injury and/or vehicle damage due
to engine overheating, never
leave the engine idling without an
alert driver present. If the engine
should overheat, as indicated by
the engine coolant temperature
gauge, immediate action is
required to correct the condition.
Continued operation of the
engine, even for a short time, may
result in a fire.
Starting the Engine
Do not keep the engine control
switch in the START position for
more than about 10 seconds.
Operating the starter for too long
might cause starter and battery
failure or may result in overheating. When the engine does not start,
wait for 20 to 30 seconds and then
turn the engine control switch again.
Before starting the engine sit in the
driver seat, check that the parking
brake is firmly engaged, the selector
lever is in the P or N (P is preferred)
position and the shift indicator also
shows P or N, and firmly press the
brake pedal to start the engine. See
Ignition Positions
0163.
{Warning
Do not keep the starter motor
engaged for more than
10 seconds at a time, or the
starter motor and the battery will
be adversely affected. Also, fire
may occur due to overheating.
Repeat the steps after a 20 to
30 seconds break.
1. Shift your selector lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). Your
engine will not start in any
other position-that's a safety