
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Driving and Operating 305
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing, use the Tow/Haul
Mode to prevent damage to the
engine or transmission. SeeTow/
Haul Mode 0266.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see Engine Overheating 0336.Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park). 5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake
pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0412.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Vehicle Care 327
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0421.
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 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil.
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.
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.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
334 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0421.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0323.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, wait until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Vehicle Care 405
Caution (Continued)
or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
For 1500 Series vehicles, at least
every other oil change lubricate the
outer tie rod ends.
Control arm ball joints on 1500
Series vehicles are
maintenance-free.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable steering/
suspension points should not be
done unless the temperature is
−12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
456 Index
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
DoorAjar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 428
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 287
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158, 160
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 290
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 30
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 243
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 245
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356, 359
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 323
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Cooling System Messages . . . 168
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 Engine (cont'd)
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 146
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 262
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 441
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 189
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 191
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 193
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955986) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Index 457
FlexFuelE85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 328
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Four-Wheel DriveTransfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 293
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 267, 341
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 72
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . 348
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 Fuel (cont'd)
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 156
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 261
Requirements, California . . . . . 299
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356, 359
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 185Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 146
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Gauges (cont'd)
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . .411
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 193
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191