2018 CHEVROLET TAHOE service

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
274 Driving and Operating
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule0389.
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.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0216.
Before towing a trailer, see
"Hands-Free Operation" under
Liftgate 047.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” following.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Driving and Operating 281
certain threshold. These
requirements vary from state to
state.
Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Do not tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic brake system.
Since the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer brakes cannot
tap into the vehicle's hydraulic
system.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The seven-pin trailer connector is
mounted in the bumper. This
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer.
Use only a round, seven-wire
connector with flat blade terminals
meeting SAE J2863 specifications
for proper electrical connectivity.The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.
Yellow/Grey: Left Stop/Turn
Signal
. Green/Violet: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
. Grey/Brown: Taillamps
. White: Ground
. White/Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Green: Battery Feed
. Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
To help charge a remote
(non-vehicle) battery, press the Tow/
Haul Mode button at the end of the
shift lever. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul Mode, turn on the
headlamps to help charge the
battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller. The harness should be installed by
your dealer or a qualified service
center.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
284 Driving and Operating
TRAILER GAIN: This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
To adjust the Trailer Gain, press one
of the Trailer Gain adjustment
buttons. Press and hold a gain
button to continuously adjust the
Trailer Gain. To turn the output to
the trailer off, adjust the Trailer Gain
setting to 0.0 (zero).
TRAILER OUTPUT: Displays any
time a trailer with electric brakes is
connected. Output to the trailer
brakes is based on the amount of
vehicle braking present and relative
to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 100% for each
gain setting.
The Trailer Output will indicate“- - -
- - -” on the Trailer Brake Display
Page whenever the following occur:
. No trailer is connected.
. A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
displayed). .
A trailer with electric brakes has
become disconnected (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
. There is a fault present in the
wiring to the trailer brakes (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
. The ITBC system is not working
due to a fault (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message will also display in
the DIC).
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
lever is used to apply the trailer ’s
electric brakes independent of the
vehicle’s brakes. Sliding the lever to
the left will apply only the trailer
brakes. Use this lever to adjust
Trailer Gain to properly adjust the
power output to the trailer brakes.
The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle brakes or manual trailer
brakes are applied. Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and must
be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading, or road
surface conditions change.
{Warning
Trailer brakes that are
over-gained or under-gained may
not stop the vehicle and the trailer
as intended and can result in a
crash. Always follow the
instructions to set the Trailer Gain
for the proper trailer stopping
performance.
To adjust Trailer Gain for each
towing condition: 1. Drive the vehicle with the trailer attached on a level road
surface representative of the
towing condition and free of
traffic at about 32 to 40 km/h
(20 to 25 mph) and fully apply
the Manual Trailer Brake apply
lever.

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
288 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp 0153. A device connected
to the DLC —such as an
aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0103 andAdding
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 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
290 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 355
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 367
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:

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.