Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
282 Driving and Operating
This indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode 0233.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0274. Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired. Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle’s brake
system, and on the type of trailer
brakes detected. This available
power output to the trailer brakes
can be adjusted to a wide range of
trailering situations.
The ITBC system is integrated with
the vehicle’
s brake, antilock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle’s
antilock brake or StabiliTrak
systems to activate, power sent to
the trailer's brakes will be
automatically adjusted to minimize
trailer wheel lock-up. This does not
imply that the trailer has StabiliTrak.
If the vehicle’s brake, antilock brake,
or StabiliTrak systems are not
functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make sure
all of these systems are fully
operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
286 Driving and Operating
If the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message only
reappears when connecting the
trailer wiring harness to the
vehicle, the electrical fault is on
the trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM: This message will display
when there is a problem with the
ITBC system. If this message
continues over multiple ignition
cycles, there is a problem with the
ITBC system. Have the vehicle
serviced.
If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message displays
while driving, the ITBC system may
not be fully functional or may not
function at all. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road
and turn the ignition off. Check the
wiring connection to the trailer and
turn the ignition back on. If either of
these messages continues, either
the vehicle or trailer needs service. A GM dealer may be able to
diagnose and repair problems with
the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not
covered under the vehicle warranty.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
being towed. If the vehicle is towing
a trailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If the vehicle
is equipped with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
and the trailer has the electric
actuated brake system, StabiliTrak
may also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on theinstrument cluster. Vehicle speed
must be reduced. If trailer sway
continues, StabiliTrak can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0242.
{Warning
Even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC, trailer sway could result
in loss of control and the vehicle
could crash. If excessive trailer
sway is detected, slow down to a
safe speed. Check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes. These could include an
improperly or overloaded trailer,
unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration,
excessive vehicle-trailer speed,
or improperly inflated or incorrect
vehicle or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0278 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 289
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 290
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 291
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 299
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 301
Automatic Transmission Fluid (10-Speed Transmission) . . . 304
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 304
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 311
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Battery - North America . . . . . . 314
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 316
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 317
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 318
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 319
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 319
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 322 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 324
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 324
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 325
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 291
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0314
and Jump Starting - North America
0 368 and the back cover.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0103.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 293
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on properly. Then
bring the hood from full open to
within 15 cm (6 in) from the closed
position, pause, and push the front
center of the hood with a swift, firm
motion to fully close the hood.
Engine Compartment
Overview
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 295
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0368.
2. Battery - North America 0314.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0305.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0304.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “How to Check
Automatic Transmission Fluid”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)
0 301 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (10-Speed
Transmission) 0304.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0368.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 305.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 311.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0312.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0325.
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 297
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0368.
2. Battery - North America 0314.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0305.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0304.
5. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0368.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 305.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 311.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0312. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0325.
Engine Oil
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see
“Engine Oil” in the Suburban
Heavy-Duty Package supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
. Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0299. .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.Checking Engine Oil
If equipped, the ENGINE OIL LOW
ADD OIL message displays when
the engine oil level may be too low.
Check the oil level before filling to
the recommended level. If the oil is
not low and this message remains
on, see your dealer.
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0293 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
298 Vehicle Care
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0402.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 293 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.