Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
152 Driving and Operating
Before Sitting in the Driver’s Seat
Remove snow and ice from your
shoes when getting into the vehicle.
If you try to drive with snow on your
shoes, your shoes would slip on the
pedals and you would not be able to
press the pedals properly, meaning
that your driving would be
inconsistent. Also, the cabin could
become more humid, causing the
glass to fog up.
Check Fuel Level
Fuel consumption increases when
tire chains are used. Determine how
much fuel you need to reach your
destination and fill up the tank in
advance. Refer to Fuel for Diesel
Engines 0227.
Removing Snow from Glass
and Underbody
Do not use a sharp implement to
remove snow. Sharp edges could
damage rubber parts.
To maintain an adequate field of
view, use a plastic scraper to
remove snow and frost from the
glass surfaces. By using a plastic scraper, you can remove the snow
and frost without scratching the
glass. At this time, check whether
the wiper blades are frozen onto the
glass.
Also, look under the vehicle and
remove any lumps of ice that are
stuck to the underbody. Be careful
not to damage components.
Driving on Snowy or Frozen
Roads
On slippery roads, never accelerate
rapidly, brake hard, decelerate
rapidly or make sharp turns of the
steering wheel.
There is a risk of reduced grip
between the tires and road surface
and of increased braking distances.
The danger of icy road surfaces is
particularly great on bridges, in
shady places and where there are
puddles.
Keep your speed down and be sure
to use tire chains or winter tires on
snowy or frozen road surfaces.
Use engine brakes together with the
foot brakes to decelerate. Using the
exhaust brake on a slippery road
surface could cause the tires to slip.
Pay Attention to the Way the
Steering Wheel Turns and Feels
On snowy roads, water and snow
splashed up by the tires can freeze
and accumulate inside the fenders,
making the steering wheel hard to
turn. From time to time, get out of
the vehicle and remove any
accumulated snow.
Check the Brakes from Time
to Time
When the vehicle is driven or
parked on a snowy surface, ice can
form on the brakes, decreasing their
effectiveness. From time to time
while you are driving, press the
brake pedal lightly and check the
effectiveness of the brakes. Pay
attention to vehicles both ahead of
and behind you when checking the
brakes in this way.
Also, check the effectiveness of the
brakes as soon as possible when
starting to drive the vehicle after it
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
154 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
conditions. Damage may result
from excessive wheel spinning,
including tire, transmission, and/
or rear axle malfunction.
If the vehicle gets stuck and it is
difficult to get out, immediately
stop driving and have the vehicle
towed.
If the vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, snow or ice, move the selector
lever from 2 to the R position. Apply
a light pressure to the accelerator
pedal while the transmission is in
gear. Remove your foot from the
accelerator and press the brake
pedal while shifting. Do not race the
engine. For best traction, avoid
spinning the wheels. When you
cannot avoid driving through deep
mud, using tire chains is an effective
way to avoid getting stuck.
When driving in sand or mud, avoid
hard braking, sudden acceleration,
and sharp turns of the steering wheel. Such actions could get the
vehicle stuck and make it difficult to
get out.
After driving through deep mud: any
mud stuck to the vehicle can harm
the steering, brakes and powertrain.
Wash the vehicle and remove all
mud and other debris.
The vehicle speed sensors are fitted
on the wheels. When removing mud
and other debris, take great care not
to damage the components.
Do not use a sharp implement to
remove mud. Sharp edges could
damage rubber parts.
Refer to
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0216 andExterior Care
0 317.
Emergencies
(Troubleshooting)
Troubleshooting
Performing regular inspections and
maintenance prevents damage. Be
sure to perform inspections and
maintenance at regular intervals.
Also, quickly rectify any fault in the vehicle (even a small fault) to
prevent it from becoming more
serious. If a symptom shown in the
following table occurs, perform
inspections and take corrective
action in accordance with the table.
If you are unable to perform a
repair, the corrective action shown
in the table does not eliminate a
symptom or you cannot locate a
fault, contact the nearest dealer.
Any item for which there is a
4in
the "Corrective action" column
requires repairs and adjustments.
Contact the nearest dealer.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 161
SymptomCauseCorrective Action Reference
Uneven braking Unbalanced air pressure
in tires
Adjust to proper air
pressureSee
Wheels and
Tires 0295
Tire unevenly worn Replace tire See
Wheels and
Tires 0295
Drum brake out of
adjustment
4-
Poor wheel alignment
4-
Exhaust brake not working The electrical system is
faulty
4-
Steering wheel hard to turn Loaded too far forward Load properly -
Power steering fluid level
too low
Add fluidSee
Power
Steering Fluid
0 262
Insufficient air in front
tires Adjust to proper inflation
pressureSee
Wheels and
Tires 0295
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
162 Driving and Operating
SymptomCauseCorrective Action Reference
Excessive play in the steering wheel Wheel studs and nuts
loose
Tighten to the specified
torqueSee
Wheels and
Tires 0295
Unbalanced inflation
pressure in the tires Adjust to proper inflation
pressureSee
Wheels and
Tires 0295
Unbalanced tires
4-
Excessive steering
wheel free play
4-
Poor steering wheel return Poor lubrication in the
steering mechanisms
Lubricate the
mechanism
-
Poor wheel alignment
4-
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
164 Driving and Operating
Emergencies (Disabled
Vehicle)
When the Vehicle
Breaks Down
When the Vehicle Stops While
Driving
The brake booster will no longer
operate and brake effectiveness will
be reduced. If the engine cannot be
started, promptly have the vehicle
inspected and repaired.
If the engine stopped because the
vehicle ran out of fuel while driving,
refueling alone will not be enough to
restart the engine. Bleed the fuel
system after refueling the vehicle.
When the Fuel Tank is Empty
SeeRunning Out of Fuel 0233.
When the Engine Stalls and
Cannot Be Restarted
Move the selector lever to the "N"
position and push the vehicle to a
safe place.
{Warning
Vehicle operations will change, so
stop the vehicle in a safe place
with the following in mind.
The power steering system will
not work so the steering wheel
will be hard to turn. It will require
more strength than during normal
operation.
As the brake booster will no
longer be functional, brake
effectiveness will be greatly
reduced. Be sure to apply more
pressure than usual to the brake
pedal.
If the power assist steering
system goes out because the
engine has stopped or the assist
system has malfunctioned, the
vehicle can still be steered.
However, much greater effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns
or at low speeds.
You and others could be seriously
injured. When the Vehicle Breaks Down
During Driving
1. Use the hazard warning flasher any time to warn other drivers,
day or night, and pull the
vehicle immediately over to a
safe place that does not
impede traffic (shoulder). Place
triangle reflectors to alert other
traffic to the presence of your
vehicle.
2. If the vehicle can be exited safely, have the other
passengers get out and wait in
a safe place.
3. If the vehicle can be exited safely, walk to a safe place and
take appropriate measures by
using the closest
telephone, etc.
See Hazard Warning Flashers 094.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
166 Driving and Operating
Mechanical Driveshaft Brake
Burnish Procedure
It is recommended that the
driveshaft mounted parking brake
be burnished as part of the new
vehicle break-in procedure.
Increased parking brake
performance will result when the
parking brake is burnished as
specified below:
.Make 10 moderate stops, using
the hand brake, from 16 km/h
(10 MPH) while spacing the
stops a minimum of 4 km
(2.5 miles) apart.
. Operate the vehicle at 32 km/h
(20 MPH) between stops.Pedals
Sit in a correct driving position on
the seat and operate the brake
pedal (1) and accelerator pedal (2)
with your right foot. To avoid
accidentally pressing the wrong
pedal, check the pedal positions
and practice putting your foot on the
desired pedal.
{Warning
A can or bottle rolling on the floor
may prevent brake pedal
operation if it is caught under the
pedal. This is very dangerous.
A floor mat must be placed
correctly. An incorrectly installed
floor mat may hinder the free
movement of each pedal. You
and others could be seriously
injured.
Ignition Positions
Engine Control Switch
{Warning
While driving, never turn the
engine control switch to the
LOCK position. The key could be
removed from the switch, which
then locks the steering wheel.
This is extremely dangerous.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 167
Caution
After starting the engine, do not
turn the engine control switch to
the START position. Otherwise,
the starter motor may be
damaged.
Using electrical devices such as
the audio system for an extended
time period with the engine
stopped can completely discharge
the battery.
The starting circuit, engine alarm
circuits and accessory circuits are
all controlled by the engine control
switch.
1 LOCK : Lock is in the position
fully counterclockwise. In this
position, the key can be inserted or
removed. To place the engine control switch in the LOCK position,
press and hold the key in the ACC
position and then turn it to the
LOCK position. If you will leave the
vehicle, remove the key and turn the
steering wheel until it locks. The
steering wheel will be locked to help
prevent theft.
2 ACC :
Accessory is in the first
position clockwise. In this position,
the audio and other accessories can
be used with the engine stopped.
3 ON : This ON position is in the
second position clockwise. The key
stays in this position while the
engine is running. Engine control,
warning circuits, gauge circuits, and
accessory circuits are energized.
The engine cylinder heaters or glow
plugs are also turned on when the
switch is in the ON position. The
wait-to-start light will come on and
stay on until the glow plugs are
heated enough. When this light
goes off, turn the switch to the
START position.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
168 Driving and Operating
4 START :On all engines, start is in
the position furthest clockwise. The
engine is started in this position.
Turn the key against spring
pressure to energize the starter.
When key is released, spring
pressure returns it to the ON
position. Release the key as soon
as the engine has started.
If the key cannot be turned from the
LOCK position to the ON position,
lightly move the steering wheel
clockwise and counterclockwise
while trying to turn the key.
Starting and Stopping the
Vehicle
Check around the Vehicle before
Starting the Engine
Proper care and operation will not
only extend the service life of your
vehicle but also improve fuel
economy.
Before pulling away, perform a
thorough safety check, making sure
there are no children or obstructions around the vehicle. Take off the
chocks after confirming that the
parking brake is securely applied.
Sit behind the wheel, adjust the seat
position, and buckle up the seat
belt. The passengers are also
required to buckle up the seat belts.
Adjust the positions of the steering
wheel and mirrors. Lock the doors.
Turn the power of the dome light or
accessories OFF before starting the
engine. See
Seat Position 038,
Seat Belts 043, Steering Wheel
Adjustment 065, and Mirrors033.
Keep the Floor Around the
Driver's Seat Clean and Tidy{Warning
It is extremely dangerous to have
empty cans, empty bottles or
other items rolling around on the
floor because they could get
trapped under the brake pedal
and prevent brake application.
For proper pedal operation, it is (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
also essential to lay floor mats
properly. Incorrectly installed floor
mats would hinder free movement
of the pedals.
Do not use the dashboard pocket
or the top of the dashboard as a
place to put items that could roll,
which could interfere with your
driving. You and others could be
seriously injured.
Choose Your Footwear Suitable
for Driving
{Warning
Choose footwear that ensures
proper operation of pedals when
driving the vehicle. Use of
footwear unsuitable for driving
may cause an accident.