Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
11254764) - 2018 - crc - 12/5/16
152 Driving and Operating
Cold Weather Starting
If you plan ahead for cold weather,
starting and driving your vehicle
should be no problem. The following
tips will help ensure good starting in
cold weather.
Oil gets thicker as it gets colder,
which slows down the engine
cranking speed. The diesel engine
functions by the heat of
compression (and glow plugs when
cold), rather than through the use of
spark plugs as in a gasoline engine.
So, your engine must crank faster
than a gasoline engine before it will
start.
To be sure the engine can turn fast
enough to start, use SAE 10W-40
viscosity engine oil when prevailing
temperatures drop below 0 °C
(32 °F). See the oil quality and oil
viscosity recommendations. Using
the proper viscosity oil will make
starting easier down to -23 °C
(-10 °F). When prevailing
temperatures drop below -23 °C
(-10 °F), the engine block heater
may be needed for starting. See
Engine Heater0154. Maintenance Items to Aid Cold
Weather Starting
Since the basic principle of diesel
engine ignition is based on
compression, the diesel engine is
somewhat harder to start than a
gasoline engine when the
temperature is below freezing.
To help prevent hard starting
problems, special attention should
be given to following normal
maintenance items:
1. Neglecting to have the fuel filter and water separator
serviced can be one of the
major contributors to hard
starting. If water is permitted to
accumulate in the primary filter,
it will freeze and make starting
the engine impossible.
2. Make sure the fuel tank vent is open.
3. Always refuel at the end of a day's operation. Moisture will
condense in an empty tank;
therefore, the tank should be filled before leaving the vehicle
standing for an extended
period.
Do not use starting aids in the air
intake system. Such aids can cause
immediate engine damage. See
Fuel for Diesel Engines 0206.
Stopping the Engine
When stopping the engine, take the
following steps: 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Move the selector lever to the P position and make sure that
the shift indicator shows P.
4. Allow the engine to idle for approximately 3 minutes.
5. Turn the engine control switch to the ACC or LOCK position.
Do not shut down the engine
immediately after driving the vehicle.
Otherwise, a seizure or other
failures may result.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 155
Engine Alarm and
Automatic Shutdown
If the system senses any of the
following conditions: high engine
temperature, low engine oil pressure
or low engine coolant, the
corresponding warning light and
engine alarm (shutdown) warning
light will come on. If the engine
alarm (shutdown) warning light
comes on, you will also hear a tone
alarm.
If your vehicle has the engine
shutdown feature, your engine will
shut down in 30 seconds.Pull safely off the road and shut off
the engine. Do not start it until the
cause of the problem is known, and
the problem is fixed. However, if the
engine shuts down when you are
still in traffic, you can restart the
engine and get another 30 seconds
of operation. Do this only if you
have to, since there is a problem
that can harm the engine if it is not
fixed. See
Engine Shutdown
Warning Light 080.
Idle Shutdown
Idle Stop is a dealer programmable
function which will automatically turn
off the engine, at idle, when specific
programmed conditions are met.
See your dealer for details. When
the Idle Stop light comes on, it alerts
you that programmed conditions
have been met and the engine is
about to shut down. This light stays
on after the engine has stopped.
This indicator light will come on
when the engine control switch is
turned to the ON position and then
should go out after approximately
3 seconds. If the idling stop function does not
initiate, a transmission related
problem may have occurred. Please
contact your dealer. (There is a
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) that
inhibits the idling stop function when
the Service Transmission Warning
Light is not illuminated).
High Idle System
Use high idle mode to increase
engine idle speed to 1,200 r/min
when the vehicle is stationary.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
11254764) - 2018 - crc - 12/5/16
172 Driving and Operating
.Any substance other than the
DEF may cause a breakdown to
the SCR system.
. Use the DEF handling
equipment made of correct
materials (Polyethylene or
Stainless-steel).
. Avoid contamination from using
dirty funnel for filling.
. If a fluid other than the specified
DEF is mistakenly added,
incorrect fluid may cause a
failure. Have it inspected and
serviced at a dealer immediately.
. Ammonia odor may be
generated when the DEF is
exposed to high temperature.
. Do not add DEF above the F
position on the level gauge. DEF
may leak from the breather hose
while driving. Also, the sensor
may be broken when DEF
freezes.
. Do not put your feet on or stand
on the DEF tank. The tank, pipe
or sensors may be damaged. .
After stopping the engine, a flow
sound may be heard from the
DEF tank or DEF supply pump.
This sound occurs as the DEF in
the piping is returning to the
tank, and does not indicate an
abnormality.
See Winter Driving 0133.
Adding DEF
1. Turn the engine control switch to the ACC or LOCK position
and make sure to stop the
engine.
2. Wipe off dust or dirt from around the filler port of the
DEF tank. 3. Turn and remove the filler cap.
4. Refill the tank up to the F
position in the level gauge on
the front face of the tank. The
DEF may overflow from the
filler port if it is added in excess
of the F position.
5. Tighten the cap after refilling is completed.
6. Wipe off DEF that is spilled at refilling.
{Warning
On occasion, you may notice an
odor when the DEF tank is
opened. Do not sniff the filler
port, etc.
When refilling the DEF tank:
Failure to follow the above
instructions could result in a fire
or a breakdown of the selective
catalytic reduction (SCR) system.
Do not dilute DEF with water.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 175
If the DEF level becomes too low or
incorrect fluid is added to the DEF
tank, the warning buzzer will sound,
warning and indicator lights will
come on and engine power will be
reduced. If you see these warning
and indicator lights, add DEF as
soon as possible or have your
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
Continuing to drive for too long after
these lights come on will result in
additional warnings, more engine
power reduction and will eventually
result in a severe vehicle speed
limitation. See“Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) Low Level Warning” and
“Incorrect Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF)/SCR System Malfunction
Warnings” later in this section.
{Warning
Do not touch the water that
comes out from the muffler. The
water is mildly acidified due to the
action of oxidation catalyst inside
the muffler. In the event that the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
fluid does come into contact with
your skin, completely wash it off
with water. You and others could
be seriously injured.
Do not relocate or modify the
exhaust pipe, muffler, DPF, SCR,
or DEF tank, which may affect the
exhaust gas cleaning performance.
If any relocation or modification is
necessary, consult your dealer.
The SCR system continues to
operate for approximately 3 minutes
after the engine control switch is
turned to the "LOCK" position. It is
normal to hear a buzzing type noise
from the DEF supply pump
(mounted on the left side frame rail
behind the cab) during the
shutdown process.
If it is necessary to disconnect the
batteries for any reason, be sure to
wait at least 3 minutes after turning
the engine control switch to the
"LOCK" position. This will allow the SCR system to properly complete
its shutdown processes. See
Winter
Driving 0133.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Low
Level Warning
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a
required fluid for the operation of
your diesel engine just as diesel fuel
is required. To avoid running out of
DEF your vehicle will turn on
warning and indicator lights and
reduce engine power in progressive
stages to encourage adding DEF.
The following is a summary of the
diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) low level
warning lights, indicator lights and
engine power reductions.
Continuing to drive for too long after
these lights come on will eventually
result in a severe vehicle speed
limitation.
These warning and indicator lights
will go out automatically and engine
power will be restored to normal
after the SCR system detects that
the DEF tank is refilled with DEF.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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178 Driving and Operating
DEF Tank Level is Low/Empty (cont'd)
StageStage 1 Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
CAUTION
This message indicates incorrect DEF or an SCR system malfunction. Immediately contact
your dealer to have your vehicle serviced *2
Remarks:
*1 –See Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF).
*2 –See Incorrect Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) /SCR System
Malfunction Warnings.
*3 –The warning buzzer continues
to sound every 5 minutes.
*4 –The warning buzzer continues
to sound every 5 minutes and when
driving 8 km (5 miles) or more, the
buzzer changes its sound to
continuous beeping.
DEF tank low stages are as follows: Stage 1 :
When the remaining level
of DEF becomes excessively low
the DEF gauge will change color
from green to amber. In addition,
warning and indicator lights will
come on as shown in the table and
engine power will be reduced so the
vehicle speed will not exceed
89 km/h (55 MPH).
Stage 2 : If driving is continued
without adding DEF (approximately
320 km (200 miles)) the DEF gauge,
warning and indicator lights will
begin blinking. Again, engine power
will be reduced so the vehicle speed
will not exceed 56 km/h (35 MPH). Stage 3 :
If driving is continued until
the DEF tank is empty, the DEF
gauge will change color from amber
to red and the warning and indicator
lights will begin to blink faster.
Engine power will still be reduced so
the vehicle speed will not exceed
56 km/h (35 MPH). The vehicle
speed will be limited to
8 km/h (5 MPH) either when the
vehicle is stopped after driving
further on (approximately
8 km (5 miles)) or when the engine
is restarted.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 179
Stage 4 :The DEF gauge is red,
the indicator light is blinking and the
buzzer is beeping continuously
indicates the vehicle speed is
limited to 8 km/h (5 MPH). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 82.
Incorrect Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF)/SCR System Malfunction
Warnings
The SCR system continuously
monitors emissions reduction
performance and SCR system
malfunction (Type A or Type B).
When a malfunction or incorrect
fluid (such as water or low
concentrated DEF, etc.) is detected,
the SCR system will turn on warning
and indicator lights to encourage
you to have the condition corrected.
In the case of incorrect fluid or if an
SCR system malfunction (Type A) is
detected, continuing to drive for too
long after these lights come on may
eventually result in a severe vehicle
speed limitation. The following is a summary of the
warning lights, indicator lights and
restrictions. When these warning
and indicator lights come on the
DIC, promptly have the vehicle
inspected and serviced at a dealer.
In the case of SCR system
malfunction (Type B), have the
vehicle inspected and serviced at a
dealer.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 181
Incorrect DEF/SCR System Malfunction (Type A) Warnings (cont'd)
Stage Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
Indicator light(s)
orororor
Warning buzzer 1 short beep 3 short beeps *1 3 quick beeps *2 Continuous beeping
Restriction Vehicle speed:
89 km/h (55 MPH) Vehicle speed:
56 km/h (35 MPH)Vehicle speed:
56 km/h (35 MPH)Vehicle speed:
8 km/h (5 MPH)
Remarks:
*1 –The warning buzzer continues
to sound every 5 minutes. *2
–The warning buzzer continues
to sound every 5 minutes and when
driving 8 km (5 miles) or more, the
buzzer changes its sound to
continuous beeping. When the exhaust system warning
light comes on DIC, promptly have
the vehicle inspected and serviced
at a dealer.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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Driving and Operating 185
When the exhaust system warning
light comes on, promptly have the
vehicle inspected and serviced at a
dealer.
When a malfunction is detected in
the SCR system, the warning and
the indicator lights shown in the
table come on. SeeVehicle
Messages 086, Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 074, and Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) Warning Light 080.
When the Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Tank is Empty
If the DEF tank is empty and
warning and indicator lights are on,
you must follow below procedure to
cancel the vehicle restriction: 1. Turn the engine control switch to the LOCK or ACC position,
and add DEF.
2. After adding DEF, turn the engine control switch to ON
position.
3. Wait until buzzer stops, warnings and indicators are
turned off. 4. If the buzzer does not stop,
return the engine control switch
back to the LOCK position and
add more DEF, and then start
over from step 2 above.
5. Restart the engine.
It may take a while until the warning
lights and indicators turn off and the
buzzer stops after turning the
engine control switch to the ON
position.
It is desirable to fill up the tank with
DEF to avoid DEF remaining level
warning indication from reappearing.
When the outside temperature is
low, refer to Adding DEF in Cold
Weather. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 082, Brake System
Warning Light (Parking Brake Light)
0 75, Warning Buzzers 091, and
Winter Driving 0133.Automatic
Transmission
On an automatic transmission
vehicle, the driver does not use a
clutch pedal when pulling away,
changing gears, or stopping. Only
the selector lever, accelerator pedal,
and brake pedal are used.
Practice learning the characteristics
of the automatic transmission
vehicle and how to correctly operate
it. When the vehicle is stationary,
remember to keep the brake pedal
firmly pressed, and if necessary,
move the selector lever in the P or
N position and apply the parking
brake.
Creep : With the engine running
and a gear position other than P or
N selected with the selector lever,
power reaches the wheels even
when the accelerator pedal is not
pressed, causing the vehicle to tend
to move.
Furthermore, the higher the engine
speed, the stronger the creep and
the greater the vehicle's tendency
to move.