Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Driving and Operating 281
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0321.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer. 4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
312 Vehicle Care
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system
has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on to
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed
when the OIL LIFE REMAINING
percentage is near 0%. Your dealer
has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to checkthe oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, the vehicle must be in
P (Park) to access this display.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0163 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0164. 2. Press and hold
V, or the trip
odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, for several seconds.
The oil life will change
to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0163 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0164.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the
display shows 100%, the
system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message and it
comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the OIL LIFE
REMAINING is near 0%, the engine
oil life system has not been reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
318 Vehicle Care
5.3L Engine Shown, 6.2L EngineSimilar
1. Coolant Surge Tank
2. Coolant Surge TankPressure Cap
3. Engine Electric Cooling Fans
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0321.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature
. Protects against rust and
corrosion
. Will not damage aluminum parts
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Vehicle Care 319
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 303.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, wait until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above the full cold mark. If it is not, there
may be a leak in the cooling
system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the full cold
mark, see
“How to Add Coolant to
the Coolant Surge Tank,” following.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
(Continued)
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Vehicle Care 395
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.For 1500 Series vehicles, at least
every other oil change lubricate the
outer tie rod ends.
Control arm ball joints on 1500
Series vehicles are
maintenance-free.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable steering/
suspension points should not be
done unless the temperature is
−12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, steel
fuel door hinge and power assist
step hinges, unless the components
are plastic. Applying silicone grease
on weatherstrips with a clean cloth
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect. If equipped
with power assist steps, extend
them and then use a high pressure
wash to clean all joints and gaps.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
450 Index
Door (cont'd)Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 420
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 259
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 164
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 264
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 27
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 212
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 214
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 337
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342, 345
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 303
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 150
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 231 Engine (cont'd)
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 433
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 183
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 185
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
F
FanEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 187
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 131
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Index 451
FluidAutomatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 313, 316
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 267
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 239, 326
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 73
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . 334
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Fuel (cont'd)
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 161
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 229
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 337
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342, 345
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 180Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Gauges (cont'd)
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 150
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 401
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 187
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 333