Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
Introduction 7
No. Description1 Safety
2 V Diesel fuel
3 Radiator cap
4 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)
5 Body
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
74 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle speed will be severely
limited when the DEF tank is empty.
Be sure to add DEF in advance of
the empty status. SeeDiesel
Exhaust Fluid 0180.Vehicle Messages
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
will display warnings, messages,
and other operation-related
information to alert of system
failures or other necessary checks
that should be performed. Use the
DIC selector to choose the desired
screen page or function.
Engine Overheat Warning
Light
OVERHEAT
This message displays and a
warning light appears when the
engine has overheated and the
engine coolant temperature gauge
needle reaches the red zone. At the
same time a buzzer sounds.
Immediately pull off to a safe place
to take the necessary actions and
check the vehicle. Do not shut down
an overheating engine immediately.
Otherwise, the engine may seize
up. Take appropriate actions for
engine overheating. This light will also activate the
engine alarm and automatic
shutdown system, if equipped.
See
Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown 0164, Engine
Overheating 0249, Engine Coolant
0 243, and Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 060.
{Warning
When the engine coolant is still
hot, do not remove the radiator
cap. Hot vapor will come out and
you may be scalded. Add engine
coolant only when the engine
coolant temperature has dropped.
If this light comes on and stays on
while you are driving, your engine
coolant might have overheated
and your engine may be too hot.
You should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and take appropriate
actions for engine overheating.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
150 Driving and Operating
SymptomCauseCorrective Action Reference
Engine is overheating No engine coolant Add engine coolant
See
Engine
Coolant 0243
Front of radiator is
clogged with dirt Wash clean with tap
waterSee
Exterior Care
0 307
Radiator cap not
sufficiently tightened Make sure it is firmly
tightened or replace the
radiator cap
-
Fan belt loose Adjust the tension or
replace the beltSee
Engine Drive
Belt Routing 0355
Engine coolant dirty
4-
Fan clutch is faulty
4-
Radiator cap dirty or
faulty Clean or replace -
Oil pressure is low Improper engine oil
viscosity
Change to an oil with
proper viscositySee
Engine Oil
0 235
Engine oil level too low Add engine oil See
Engine Oil
0 235
Engine inner
components are faulty
4-
Meter, indicator/warning
lights or switches faulty
4-
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
Driving and Operating 163
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 resumed
when 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
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 (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
The engine block and oil pan
heaters are designed to warm the
block and oil pan areas that will let
the engine run faster. To use the
heaters:
1. On single cab vehicles, tilt the cab. See Cab Tilting 0233.
2. Unwrap the electrical cord and remove the protective cap.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
244 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant in Cold
Weather
To prevent the engine damage due
to freezing of the engine coolant,
mix the coolant and water at the
ratio of 50/50.
Replace rubber hoses whenever
they crack or are damaged; even
minor cracks allow engine coolant
solution to leak.
{Warning
If your engine cooling system
overheats, seeEngine
Overheating 0249. Continued
operation of the engine even for a
short time may result in a fire and
the possibility of personal injury
and/or severe vehicle damage.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Your vehicle has an engine coolant
recovery system, expansion bottle
and/or an engine coolant reserve
tank system. Engine coolant in the
system expands with heat and overflows into the reserve tank.
When the system cools, engine
coolant is drawn back into the
radiator.
The engine cooling system has
been filled at the factory with a
quality engine coolant. It is
important to use proper engine
coolant to prevent damage to
engine cooling system components.
The engine cooling system is
designed to use engine coolant
rather than plain water. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
0339.
See the Maintenance Schedule to
find out when the engine coolant
must be replaced. Note that
changing the engine coolant is
needed to replenish the rust
inhibitors to make certain that all
parts of the engine cooling system
work well.
{Warning
Check, replenish or change the
engine coolant only after the
engine has sufficiently
cooled down.
Do not loosen or remove the cap
of the radiator or engine coolant
reserve tank cap when the engine
coolant is still hot. Hot vapor or
boiling water may burst out and
cause a burn.
When removing the radiator cap
or engine coolant reserve tank
cap, use a thick cloth to cover the
cap and turn it slowly.
Engine coolant is toxic and must
not be ingested. If the engine
coolant is mistakenly ingested,
seek prompt medical attention.
If the engine coolant gets in your
eyes, rinse your eyes immediately
with a large amount of water for
15 minutes or longer. Also, if your (Continued)
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
246 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 0233.
For the crew cab model, the engine
coolant reserve tank is under the
access panel beneath the left rear
seat. See Engine Cover 0235.
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 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
Vehicle Care 247
The radiator cap (1) opens and
closes in double action. When
removing the radiator cap, take
caution not to damage the cap and
the filler neck (2).
Turn the cap slowly to the left until it
reaches a“stop”. Do not press down
while turning the cap.
Wait until any remaining pressure
(indicated by a hissing sound) is
relieved, then press down on the
cap and continue turning it to
the left.
Also, check to make sure there are
no leaks from the radiator or
radiator hose. Check for fluid or stains on the ground showing leaks
where the vehicle is parked. Contact
your dealer if you discover leaks.
Using the vehicle when there are
leaks can lead to engine seizure.
Adding Engine Coolant
Single Cab Model
Crew Cab Model
When the engine coolant level in the
engine coolant reserve tank is
below the “MIN”line, open the
reserve tank cap and fill to near the
“MAX” line with engine coolant.
Wash the reserve tank cap and filler
neck with clean water. Tighten the
cap securely after the engine
coolant has been replenished.
Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500 HD/XD/5500 HD/XD
Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-13337621) - 2020 - crc - 12/5/18
248 Vehicle Care
1. When the engine is cool,remove the radiator cap (1).
.Turn the cap slowly to the
left until it reaches a “stop”.
Do not press down while
turning the cap.
. Wait until any remaining
pressure (indicated by a
hissing sound) is relieved,
then press down on the cap
and continue turning it to
the left.
2. Fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck (2) and install the
radiator cap. Add enough engine coolant to provide for
required cooling, freezing, and
corrosion protection.
3. Run the engine until the engine coolant temperature rises to
normal level, and idle the
engine for 10 minutes.
4. Install the radiator cap.
Check, replenish or change the
engine coolant only after the engine
has sufficiently cooled down.
When the engine is still hot, take
care to prevent engine coolant from
contact with the exhaust manifold.
Any such contact could result in
exhaust manifold damage.
If you use the proper quality engine
coolant, there is no need to add
extra inhibitors or additives which
claim to improve the system. They
may be harmful to the proper
operation of the system.
Do not overfill the engine coolant
reserve tank.
If the level of engine coolant
changes rapidly, have your vehicle
inspected at your dealer. Thermostat
The engine coolant temperature is
controlled by thermostat(s). The
thermostats stop engine coolant
flow through the radiator until a
preset temperature is reached. The
thermostats are installed in the
engine coolant outlet on the engine
block. The same thermostats are
used in both winter and summer.
When a replacement is needed,
genuine GM parts are
recommended.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 108 kPa (16 psi)
pressure type, must be installed
tightly, otherwise engine coolant
may be lost and damage to the
engine may result from overheating.
The radiator pressure cap should be
checked periodically for proper
operation. If a replacement is
required, a genuine GM part is
recommended.