Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
214 Driving and Operating
Selector Lever
Move the selector lever (2) to make
a shift into each gear position.
P (Parking) :Used when the
vehicle is parked or when starting
the engine. The P position is to be
used with the parking brake. The P
and N positions are the two
positions in which the engine can be
started.
R (Reverse) : Used when backing
up the vehicle. Bring the truck to a
complete stop before moving the
selector to the R position. N (Neutral) :
Can be used when
starting the engine, but for safety,
get in the habit of starting the
engine in the P position. The N
position is used should it become
necessary to tow your truck.
D (Drive) : The D position is for all
normal forward driving. The system
automatically selects the gear
according to the vehicle speed.
Press the overdrive off switch (3) to
switch to the overdrive ON position
for greater fuel economy.
2 (Second) : May be used when
driving on downhill roads or when
the engine brake is required. Select
the 2 position at speeds below
40 km/h (25 MPH) when traveling
down a moderate grade. Return the
selector to the D position for normal
driving.
1 (Low) : Used on steep downhill
roads or when strong engine
braking is required. Return the
selector to the D position for normal
driving.
{Warning
When pulling away, always
visually check the position of the
selector lever for safety.
Only push the button for gear
selection when necessary.
Pushing the button unnecessarily
may result in unintended gear
selection.
Never move the selector to the P
position when the truck is in
motion.
Do not run the vehicle with the
transmission in neutral. Not only
will the engine brake not function,
but the transmission will also be
damaged. You and others could
be seriously injured.
When repeatedly shifting between
forward and reverse gears for a
multiple-point turn, firmly press the
brake pedal and confirm that the
vehicle is completely stopped before
operating the selector lever.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
218 Driving and Operating
ABS Operation Indications and
Signs
ABS warning light
Operation Indications of ABS
When the engine control switch is
placed into the "ON" position, the
ABS warning light comes on and
then goes out in approx. 3 seconds.
The ABS is normal if the warning
light goes out.
Operation Signs of ABS
When ABS is activated, slight
vibration is generated on the brake
pedal (hydraulic brake model) and
steering wheel, and an operating
sound can be heard from the ABS
equipment.
If the ABS warning light does any of
the following, the ABS may be
faulty. Please contact the nearest
dealer. ‐
If the ABS warning light comes
on during driving
‐ The light does not come on when
the engine control switch is
placed into the "ON" position
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 076.
Even if a problem has occurred with
the ABS, the regular brakes will still
work normally. However, ABS will
not operate.
Precautions for Driving an
ABS-Equipped Vehicle
ABS is not a device that enables
driving and stopping under
conditions exceeding safe driving
limits. Always drive safely.
{Warning
When braking suddenly, continue
pressing brake pedal hard so that
the ABS can take effect. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
When braking suddenly, do not
pump the brakes (pushing and
releasing the brake pedal little by
little). Pumping brakes will
increase the braking distance.
The braking distance on slippery
road surfaces is longer than that
on a normal dry paved road even
with an ABS-equipped vehicle.
When ABS is activated in the
following road surface conditions,
the braking distance may be
slightly longer compared to that of
vehicles not equipped with an
ABS. Therefore, always be aware
of the road and tire condition (tire
type and wear condition), observe
safe driving habits and drive the
vehicle while keeping a safe
following distance.
‐ When driving on a gravel
road, or a road with a deep
snow covering.
(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 229
Caution
Do not use blends containing
more than 20% biodiesel. Any
engine, fuel system, or exhaust
after-treatment system damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
As a renewable fuel, biodiesel
provides some environmental
benefits. However, biodiesel has
unique properties and needs to be
handled differently than diesel fuel.
Its use presents additional risks and
may not be appropriate in all
situations. Certain vehicle operating
modes increase these risks and
should be avoided. Read further to
determine if your driving habits are
compatible with the use of biodiesel.
Biodiesel fuel quality degrades with
time and exposure to high
temperature quicker than Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel. More frequent
refueling provides the best
opportunity to have a supply of fresh fuel. Storage at hot ambient
temperatures will accelerate
biodiesel degradation.
Owners who use very little fuel,
or who have vehicles or fuel stored
for extended periods of time, should
avoid the use of biodiesel blended
fuels above 5% by volume. When
vehicles are stored for longer than
one month, they should be run out
of biodiesel to below one-quarter
tank, refueled with Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel fuel, and driven several miles
before storage.
At temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F),
it is recommended to switch to Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel fuel with no
biodiesel content, or to blends with
biodiesel containing less than 5% by
volume. At these extreme cold
temperatures, biodiesel blends
higher than 5% by volume may
cause fuel filter plugging and
system gelling, which can lead to
vehicle operability problems.
Fuels improperly blended for cold
temperature operation may result in
restricted fuel filters and degraded
vehicle performance. The vehicle is
equipped with a fuel heating system
to provide a level of protection
against filter plugging from gelling or
waxing of conventional diesel fuel
and biodiesel blends. If the
operating temperature is far below
the temperature at which gelling or
waxing of the fuel occurs, the
system will not prevent all cases of
filter plugging.
If the vehicle experiences a fuel
filter restriction, the on-board
monitoring system will alert the
driver that the fuel filter requires
service. The fuel filter, however, will
not prevent all damage caused by
poor quality biodiesel.
Biodiesel Blends
Use biodiesel blends that meet the
ASTM specification D6751.
Retail pumps dispensing blends
containing up to 5% biodiesel (B5)
are not required to be labeled with
the concentration of biodiesel.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
246 Vehicle Care
and the oil should be changed
regularly according to the
Maintenance Schedule.
The engine oil performs the
following important functions:
.It prevents engine parts from
becoming worn.
. It cools engine parts.
. It cleans engine parts.
. It seals the combustion
chambers and prevents rust.
Replace the engine oil at regular
intervals.
When particulate matter (PM) has
accumulated to a preset level in the
diesel particulate filter (DPF), the
filter is automatically regenerated
through combustion. To make this
regeneration (combustion) possible,
a small amount of fuel is injected
into the engine combustion chamber
after firing. This causes fuel to
gradually become mixed with the
engine oil, and the engine oil level
may rise beyond the original level.
This does not indicate a malfunction
of the engine.Access to the Engine
Single Cab Model
Access to the engine oil dipstick is
located on the engine left side after
tilting the cab. See Cab Tilting
0 243.
Crew Cab Model
The engine oil dipstick is under the
engine inspection sub cover located
beneath the driver's seat.
Checking the Engine Oil Level
Press the engine oil level check
switch. If engine oil level is low the
red oil pressure warning light will
turn on. If the engine oil level is
above the "OK", the green oil level
indicator will turn on.
The oil level varies while the engine
is running, right after it is stopped,
and on sloping ground. When
checking the oil level, be sure the
vehicle is on level ground while the
engine is cool.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
256 Vehicle Care
{Warning
For storage, close the cap of
coolant container securely and
keep it in a place inaccessible to
children.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Using any coolant other than that
recommended by your dealer could
cause damage to the engine,
radiator or heater core. In particular,
use of coolants containing borate
salts or silicates may result in
engine or radiator corrosion,
causing engine coolant leaks and
other problems.
To dilute the coolant, use distilled
water or deionized water.
Do not use the coolant at any
coolant concentration other than
that specified. If the coolant
concentration is 60% or higher,
overheating is likely to occur, while
if it is 30% or lower, anti-corrosion
function is not provided sufficiently. Using coolant at any coolant
concentration other than that
specified may reduce anti-freezing
performance, and engine coolant
may freeze.
If the engine coolant decreases
rapidly, stop the vehicle in a safe
place and contact your dealer for
advice and repair.
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level
For the single cab model, the
engine coolant reserve tank is
located behind the front-right wheel.
See
Cab Tilting 0243.
For the crew cab model, the engine
coolant reserve tank is under the
access panel beneath the left rear
seat. See Engine Cover 0245.
When the engine has cooled down,
make sure that the fluid level in the
engine coolant reserve tank is no
lower than the “MIN”line. In
addition, carefully remove the
radiator cap and check to see if it is
damaged. Check that the engine
coolant is full to the filler neck.
Check the engine coolant level only
when it is cold.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
264 Vehicle Care
Follow the recommendations for
brake checks in the Maintenance
Schedule.
GM replacement brake lining
material is recommended for this
vehicle to maintain the balance
between front and rear brake
performance. GM replacement
brake parts have been carefully
selected to provide the proper brake
balance for purposes of both
stopping distance and controllability
over the full range of operating
conditions. Installation of front or
rear brake lining material with
performance different from that of
the replacement parts
recommended for this vehicle can
change the intended brake balance
of this vehicle.
Checking the Brake Electric
Vacuum Pump (4500HD/
4500XD Series)
1. Turn the engine control switchto the "ON" position (do not
start the engine), and press the
brake pedal several times. 2. Check for the noisy sound of
the electric vacuum pump
inside the instrument panel at
the same time as vacuum
warning buzzer sound, and
check that the brake low
vacuum warning light
comes on.
3. Then, start the engine. The main vacuum pump driven by
the engine will start running.
If the electric vacuum pump
operation (noisy sound) and
the vacuum warning buzzer
stop, and the brake low
vacuum warning light goes off
thereafter, the operation is
normal.
4. If you cannot hear the noisy sound or the noisy sound stays
on all the time, have the
vehicle inspected by the
nearest dealer immediately.Hydraulic Brake Booster (HBB)
The 5500HD, 5500XD models are
equipped with an HBB system. HBB
is a brake booster device that utilizes hydraulic pressure from the
HBB pump integral with the power
steering pump.
If the brake booster warning light
comes on or a warning buzzer
continues to sound, there may be a
problem with the HBB.
If this warning light comes on while
driving, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place well clear of
traffic and promptly contact the
nearest dealer for inspection.
Hydraulic brake booster (HBB)
characteristics
In the 5500HD, 5500XD models, an
unusual sound from under the
instrument panel may be heard from
the hydraulic system while brakes
are used. It does not mean trouble.
It is not a sign of malfunction.
If you pump the brakes with the
engine off, a squeaking sound can
be heard. This comes from the
auxiliary accumulator. It is not a
malfunction. With the engine
running, a similar sound can be
heard during sudden braking.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
324 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
use carbon tetrachloride,
gasoline, benzene or naphtha for
any cleaning purpose.
Open all vehicle doors for
ventilation when ANY cleaning
agents or other chemicals are
used in the interior. Overexposure
to some vapors may result in a
health problem that is more likely
to occur in small, unventilated
spaces.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
The interior of the vehicle must
never be cleaned using acidic or
alkaline solvents, or petroleum
ether, gasoline, and other organic
solvents. Failure to observe this
precaution can result in
discoloration and staining. It should
be noted that certain types of
cleaning products contain these
compounds. Be sure to read
cleaning product labels carefully. Air fresheners (liquid, solid, gel,
or plate types) must not come into
direct contact with, or spill onto,
interior components such as the air
conditioning or audio system.
Compounds contained in these
products can cause discoloration,
staining, or peeling of paint.
Glass cleaners that contain these
compounds must not be used to
clean the inside of the windshield or
window glass. To clean the glass,
wipe it using a cloth wet with warm
or cold water.
To avoid possible permanent
discoloration of light colored seats,
Do not let materials with non-fast
colors come into contact with seat
trim materials until these materials
are totally dry. This includes certain
types of casual clothing, such as
colored denims, corduroys, leathers,
and suedes, as well as decorative
paper.
With the use of modern trim
materials, it is very important that
you use proper cleaning techniques
and cleaners. Failing to do this on
the first cleaning may result in waterspots, spot rings, or setting of stains
or soilage
—all of which are more
difficult to remove in a second
cleaning.
Dust and loose dirt that collect on
interior fabric should be removed
often with a vacuum cleaner or soft
bristle brush. Wipe vinyl or leather
trim regularly with a clean, damp
cloth. Normal trim soils, spots,
or stains can be cleaned with these
cleaners.
Remember these basic steps before
cleaning:
. Remove stains as quickly as
possible before they set.
. Use a clean cloth or sponge,
and change to a clean area
often. A soft brush maybe used
if stains persist.
. Use solvent-type cleaners only
in a well ventilated area: also, do
not saturate the stained area.
. If a ring forms after spot
cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Service and Maintenance 337
Engine Coolant0253. Have the
Engine Coolant replaced by your
authorized dealer.
13. Exhaust System : Check the
complete exhaust system every
16 000 km (10,000 miles). Check
body areas near the exhaust
system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing, or out-of-position parts.
Also inspect for open seams, holes,
loose connections, or other
conditions which could cause heat
build-up at the rear body floor pan,
or could let exhaust fumes seep into
the passenger compartment. Dust
or water in the cabin may indicate a
leak in that area. Required repairs
should be made at once.
14. DPF (Clean Filter) : Clean the
filter every 160 000 km
(100,000 miles) or 3,000 hours
whichever occurs first.
15. DPF (Pressure Difference
Sensor 0 Point Adjustment) :
Adjust the sensor every 160 000 km
(100,000 miles) or 3,000 hours
whichever occurs first. 16. DPF (Pressure Difference
Sensor Hose) :
Inspect the sensor
hose every 160 000 km
(100,000 miles) or 3,000 hours
whichever occurs first. Replace the
sensor hose every 400 000 km
(250,000 miles).
17. Fuel Line System : Inspect the
fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
which could cause leakage every
16 000 km (10,000 miles). Inspect
fuel cap for correct sealing ability
and indications of physical damage.
Replace any damaged or
malfunctioning parts.
18. Brake Lining and Pad for
Wear : Check drum brake lining and
disc brake pad for wear or cracks
every 16 000 km (10,000 miles).
Check brakes (including parking
brake) more often if operating
conditions or driving habits result in
frequent braking.
Front disc brakes have built-in wear
noise indicators which are designed
to make a high pitched squeal or
cricket-like warning sound when the
brake pads are worn to the point
where new pads are needed. When the truck is in motion, the
sound may be constant or it may
come and go. Pressing the brake
pedal firmly may cause the sound
to stop.
Have the brake linings or the brake
pads replaced by your authorized
dealer as soon as possible after the
warning first becomes evident.
Failure to do so can result in
expensive damage to the brake
system or a serious crash.
19. Brake Drum and Rotor for
Wear and Damage :
Check brake
drums (rear and parking) and rotors
(front) for wear or damage every
32 000 km (20,000 miles) or
12 months whichever occurs first.
20. Brake Electric Vacuum Pump
(4500HD, 4500XD models) :
Inspect the brake electric vacuum
pump operation every 16 000 km
(10,000 miles) or 12 months,
whichever occurs first.