Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 165
If There is a Fuel Leak
{Danger
Leaking fuel from the vehicle is
dangerous due to possible
combustion or explosion. Stop the
engine immediately.
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Good vehicle care begins with
proper break-in. While every new
vehicle goes through rigid factory
and dealer inspection and tests
before delivery, the care you give
your vehicle during the initial
break-in period can pay off in longer
life, better performance and more
economical operation.
It is therefore always recommended
that during the initial 1 000 km
(600 mile) break-in period, the
following few simple precautions are
carefully observed.
Follow the recommendations listed
below:
.Warm up the engine by driving
easily for the first few minutes
before placing it under load.
. Do not drive for extended
periods at any one constant
speed, either fast or slow, during
the first 800 km (500 miles). .
Use the correct gear to maintain
the desired road speed without
lugging the engine.
. Avoid racing the engine,
full-throttle starts and aggressive
application of brakes when
stopping.
. Keep tires properly inflated for
the load carried.
. Check lubricant levels in the
engine and transmission weekly.
. Keep speeds below 80 km/h
(50 MPH) for the first 800 km
(500 miles).
. Use the lowest gear ratio
available when starting a loaded
vehicle and when climbing
slopes to avoid lugging the
engine.
. It is recommended that the
engine speed is restricted to
2,300 r/min.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
172 Driving and Operating
Do not race the engine or quickly
accelerate before the engine has
sufficiently warmed up. Oil would
not have adequately reached and
lubricated components, and a
breakdown may result.
The exhaust pipe becomes
extremely hot while the engine is
idling. Before warming up the
engine, make sure there is no
flammable material, such as grass,
waste paper, oil, or old tires near the
exhaust pipe.
Engine Warm-up System
During cold ambient conditions, the
automatic engine warm-up system
operates to reduce engine warm-up
time during idling.
Automatic Engine Warm-up :
When the engine is idling with the
engine coolant temperature below
62 °C (144 °F), the engine warm-up
system automatically closes the
exhaust brake and increases engine
idle speed so that the engine is
warmed more quickly. Warm-up is
cancelled when the accelerator
pedal is pressed, and resumedwhen the pedal is released.
Warm-up is automatically cancelled
entirely after the engine coolant
temperature rises above 65 °C
(149 °F).
Winter Cover
.
Do not cover the front of the
radiator with newspapers,
cardboard or any other
flammable material to raise the
engine coolant temperature.
. If you allow the engine to warm
up but the engine coolant
temperature does not rise, have
the nearest dealer inspect the
thermostat.
Radiator Grille Covers
{Warning
Radiator shutters, winter fronts,
or grille covers are not to be used
and may cause the engine's
radiator cooling fan to fatigue
from the alternate unloading and (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
loading of the blades as they
pass by the masked area
followed by the unmasked area.
After the fan has been fatigued, it
may suddenly break apart while
rotating, possibly causing
personal injury to anyone
standing nearby, and equipment
damage. You and others could be
seriously injured.
Engine Heater
Engine Block and Oil Pan Heater
If the vehicle is parked in a garage,
the block and pan heaters should
not be needed until the garage
temperature drops below −23°C
(−10°F) regardless of outside
temperature.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
176 Driving and Operating
{Warning
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.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Avoid Unnecessary Idling of the
Diesel Engine
If the diesel engine idles too long,
the engine coolant temperature will
fall below the operating range. Low engine operating temperature
causes several conditions that are
harmful to engine operation and life.
Incomplete combustion of fuel in an
engine that is not fully warmed-up
causes crankcase dilution and
forms lacquer and gummy deposits
on valves, pistons, and rings. It also
causes rapid accumulation of
sludge within the engine.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Exhaust parts and gases become
very hot when the DPF is being
regenerated.
Parking over flammable items
could allow them to touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle
and cause them to ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, grass
or other things that can burn. You
and others could be seriously
injured.Keep Flammable Material Away
from the Vehicle
The exhaust pipe is extremely hot
immediately after vehicle operation.
Before parking, make sure the area
is free of flammable material (for
example, grass, waste paper, oil or
old tires). Take particular care when
parking in a garage.
Use caution concerning exhaust
gases while the engine is idling. Be
particularly careful when the power
take-off (PTO) is operating (if your
vehicle is equipped with a PTO) or
the DPF is regenerating while the
engine is idling. See
Diesel
Particulate Filter 0180.
{Warning
It is not recommended that this
vehicle be parked, idled or
operated over combustible
materials such as grass or
leaves. They could touch the hot
exhaust system and start a fire.
This is particularly important if the
(Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
216 Driving and Operating
Overdrive Off Indicator Light
Indicator lightFunction Usage conditions
Goes Off. 6-Speed (4-speed + overdrive) automatic
change (Overdrive ON). Use under normal driving conditions.
Comes On. 4-speed automatic change, but no change to
overdrive (overdrive OFF). Used when a light engine brake is required.
Doing so will reduce the number of gear
changes making the ride smoother on roads
that have many hills.
. During cold weather, the
transmission may not shift to the
5th or 6th gear (overdrive) until
the engine warms up.
. Even if the engine is stopped
with the overdrive OFF, the
overdrive will be ON the next
time the engine is started.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Wheels may be locked and slip
during sudden braking or braking on
a slippery road surface such as a
snowy road. ABS is a device to
prevent the wheels from locking by
detecting a slippery condition during
braking and securing the directional
stability and handling stability of the
vehicle. ABS only assists in limited
road conditions and will not prevent
a crash if you exceed safe driving
speeds for road conditions. Always
drive safely.
{Warning
The braking distance on slippery
road surfaces is longer than that
on a normal dry paved road even
with an ABS-equipped vehicle. In
addition the braking distance can
be slightly longer in deep snow
and on a gravel road when ABS
is activated. Therefore, always
keep in mind the road condition
and tire condition (type of tires
and worn condition), observe safe
(Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 217
Warning (Continued)
driving habits and drive the
vehicle while keeping a proper
distance between vehicles.
ABS does not prevent crashes if
you do not drive safely. Drive the
vehicle at a safe speed.
Install tires of the specified size,
same brand and same tread
design (including winter tires) on
all wheels. If different tires are
installed, the braking distance
becomes longer and directional
control stability of the vehicle
decreases. This is very
dangerous.
Steering during sudden braking
(when the ABS is working) will
feel slightly different than it does
when the brakes are not applied.
Operate the steering wheel
carefully keeping this in mind.Driving in sand or on a muddy road
may adversely affect the brakes and
ABS sensors. Wash the vehicle to
remove sand and mud after
operating the vehicle in sandy or
muddy conditions.
Before washing the vehicle, provide
necessary protection to prevent
water from being splashed on the
ABS components (sensors and
actuators). Especially when using
high-pressure washing, be careful
not to allow water to be directly
sprayed onto the ABS components
and their harness connectors.
These are not signs of ABS
malfunction:
.
Soon after you start the engine
and the vehicle starts moving,
the sound of motor or valve
working may be heard from the
rear of the vehicle or underside
of the cab. This sound is from a
self-check by the ABS system
and is normal. In addition, you
may also feel some vibration if
the brake pedal is pressed at
this time. .
When ABS is operating,
vibration is felt on the brake
pedal and steering wheel and
you may hear the system
operating. This is normal when
ABS is properly operating.
. The exhaust brake may release
when ABS is activated and the
exhaust brake is in operation.
. ABS is more likely to be
activated when the brake is
applied during cornering or
driving over a bump. This is
because inside wheels or
wheels that have gone over a
bump tend to lock.
. ABS is not activated immediately
after starting the vehicle. It is
activated only when the vehicle
speed reaches approx. 10 km/h
(6 MPH). ABS operation is
inactive when the vehicle speed
reduces to approx. 5 km/h
(3 MPH).
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 219
Warning (Continued)
‐When tire chains are used.
‐ When driving over road
joints or bumps such as
light reflectors on the road.
‐ When driving on a bumpy
road, stone-paved road or
track.
‐ When driving over an iron
plate or manhole lid.
ABS does not work for wheel skid
during a standing start,
acceleration and cornering which
do not involve braking. On a very
slippery icy road, tires may lose
grip and steering wheel operation
may not be able to control the
vehicle's direction, resulting in
very unstable driving. Always
drive the vehicle observing a safe
speed well matched with both
road surface and tire conditions,
and avoid sudden braking. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If powerful engine braking is
applied on a very slippery icy
road, the drive wheels may be
locked (the ABS then does not
work), resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
When ABS is activated, a slight
vibration (especially when the
road surface is different between
right and left wheels) and pulling
may be felt on the brake pedal
and steering wheel. In addition,
an operating sound is produced
from the ABS actuators. This
does not indicate any abnormal
condition. Stay calm and operate
the steering wheel properly.
Electronic Braking force
Distribution (EBD)
EBD is a function that uses the ABS
to distribute braking force ideally
between the front and rear wheels
in order to compensate for changes
in load conditions or any shift of the load due to acceleration or
deceleration, thus preventing
premature locking of the rear
wheels.
{Warning
If a problem should occur with the
EBD function, the ABS warning
light and the brake system
warning light will come on
simultaneously.
The rear wheels will lock more
easily if there is a problem with
the EBD function. Have it
checked and serviced at the
nearest dealer as soon as
possible. You and others could be
seriously injured.
When the EBD operates, the brake
pedal may push back slightly or you
may hear a sound similar to that
generated by the ABS when
operational. Neither of them
indicates any abnormal condition.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
220 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
Parking Brake Lever
When parking or stopping your
vehicle, engage the parking brake
and make sure that the vehicle does
not start moving. Avoid parking your
vehicle on a slope as much as
possible and choose a level and flat
place. If parking on a slope is
unavoidable, be sure to set the
parking brake, make sure that the
vehicle does not move, and block
the wheels with chocks for added
safety.
Illumination of the parking brake
warning light does not mean that the
parking brake is fully applied. The
parking brake lever must be fully
engaged.
When you engage the parking brake
lever, air pressure is reduced and all
four wheel brakes are applied.
{Warning
Although the parking brake
indicator light will come on if the
parking brake is engaged while
the engine control switch is in the
ON position, this does not mean
the parking brake is fully
engaged, so always make sure
the lever is fully pulled up.
Never drive the vehicle with the
parking brake set as this will
cause excessive wear, reduce
parking brake effectiveness and
increase fuel consumption.
Choose a flat place where
stopping and parking are
permitted and where the vehicle
will not obstruct traffic.
Remove all dirt from the vehicle's
light lenses and reflectors to
ensure that the vehicle can be
seen from other vehicles. You and
others could be seriously injured.
Avoid parking for long periods with
cargo on the vehicle.
{Warning
Do not use the parking brake
while the vehicle is in motion
except in an emergency. Applying
the parking brake before the
vehicle has stopped can cause
the tires to lock or the vehicle to
spin, possibly causing an
accident. Unless the parking
brake is fully released during
driving, a fault and/or a fire may
result.
If it was necessary to use the
parking brake during driving, be
sure to check afterwards to
determine if any fault or failure
has resulted.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
222 Driving and Operating
If the number of notches is not
within the standard value range
below, adjust it to the standard
value. Lever stroke is 6 to 8
notches.
Number of notches before parking
brake is set when lever is pulled
slowly from released position with
pull force of about 147 N (15 kgf/
33 lbs).
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0327
and Additional Maintenance and
Care 0346.
Exhaust Brake
Exhaust Brake Switch
When turned on, the system
increases the amount of power
absorbed by the engine while
coasting in gear. Whenever slowing
down the vehicle, such as on down
grades, in city traffic or approaching
stop signals, this brake system may
be used.
To turn on the exhaust brake system
while driving, pull the lever
backward. The exhaust brake
indicator light comes on. The
exhaust brake will engage
automatically when the accelerator
pedal is released and vehicle speed
is above 10 km/h (6.5 MPH). The exhaust brake will disengage
when the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal is pressed. Releasing the
pedal reengages the exhaust brake.
Push the lever forward to turn the
exhaust brake off during idling.
{Warning
It is extremely dangerous to apply
the exhaust brake on slippery
roads as the tires can skid.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Even if the selector lever is placed
in the N position, the exhaust brake
does not disengage until the engine
is warmed up if the warm-up system
is on.