Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13566622) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
Driving and Operating 279
2. Adjust the Trailer Gain, usingthe Trailer Gain adjustment
buttons, to just below the point
of trailer wheel lock-up,
indicated by trailer wheel
squeal or tire smoke when a
trailer wheel locks.
Note
Trailer wheel lock-up may not occur
if towing a heavily loaded trailer. In
this case, adjust the Trailer Gain to
the highest allowable setting for the
towing condition. 3. Readjust Trailer Gain any time vehicle loading, trailer loading,
or road surface conditions
change or if trailer wheel
lock-up is noticed at any time
while towing.
Other ITBC-Related DIC Messages
TRAILER CONNECTED: This
message will briefly display when a
trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle. This
message will automatically turn off
in about 10 seconds. This message
can be acknowledged before it
automatically turns off. CHECK TRAILER WIRING: This
message will display if:
.
The ITBC system first
determines connection to a
trailer with electric brakes and
then the trailer harness becomes
disconnected the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stationary, this
message will automatically turn
off in about 30 seconds. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message will continue until the
ignition is turned off. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
. There is an electrical fault in the
wiring to the trailer brakes. This
message will continue as long
as there is an electrical fault in
the trailer wiring. This message
will also turn off if it is
acknowledged. To determine whether the electrical
fault is on the vehicle side or trailer
side of the trailer wiring harness
connection:
1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message reappears,
the electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message only
reappears when connecting the
trailer wiring harness to the
vehicle, the electrical fault is on
the trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM: This message will display
when there is a problem with the
ITBC system. If this message
continues over multiple ignition
cycles, there is a problem with the
ITBC system. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13566622) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
280 Driving and Operating
If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message displays
while driving, the ITBC system may
not be fully functional or may not
function at all. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road
and turn the ignition off. Check the
wiring connection to the trailer and
turn the ignition back on. If either of
these messages continues, either
the vehicle or trailer needs service.
A GM dealer may be able to
diagnose and repair problems with
the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not
covered under the vehicle warranty.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
towing. If the vehicle is towing atrailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake system,
StabiliTrak may also apply the trailer
brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on the
instrument cluster. Reduce vehicle
speed by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator. If trailer
sway continues, StabiliTrak can
reduce engine torque to help slow
the vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak is turned off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0229.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0272 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 281
Aftermarket Electronic Trailer
Sway Control Devices
Some trailers may come equipped
with an electronic device designed
to reduce or control trailer sway.
Aftermarket equipment
manufacturers also offer similar
devices that connect to the wiring
between the trailer and the vehicle.
These devices may interfere with
the vehicle’s trailer brake systems
or other systems, including
integrated anti-sway systems,
if equipped. Messages related to
trailer connections or trailer brakes
could appear on the DIC. The
effects of these aftermarket devices
on vehicle handling or trailer brake
performance is not known.
{Warning
Use of aftermarket electronic
trailer sway control devices could
result in reduced trailer brake
performance, loss of trailer
brakes, or other malfunctions, and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
result in a crash. You or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. Before using one of these
devices:
. Ask the device or trailer
manufacturer if the device
has been thoroughly tested
for compatibility with the
make, model, and year of
your vehicle and any
optional equipment installed
on your vehicle.
. Before driving, check the
trailer brakes are working
properly, if equipped. Drive
the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road
surface that is free of traffic
at about 32-40 km/h
(20-25 mph) and fully apply
the manual trailer brake
apply lever. Also, check the
trailer brake lamps and
other lamps are functioning
correctly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.If the trailer brakes are not
operating properly at any
time, or if a DIC message
indicates problems with the
trailer connections or trailer
brakes, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of
the road when traffic
conditions allow.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on
a visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
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Vehicle Care 283
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 284
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 285
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 295
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 296
Automatic Transmission Fluid (10-Speed Transmission) . . . 299
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 300
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Battery - North America . . . . . . 309
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 311
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 312
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 313
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 313
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 316 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 318
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 319
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 319
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 285
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0309
and
Jump Starting - North America
0 363 and the back cover.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials. Perchlorate
Material –special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 085.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 307
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0288 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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308 Vehicle Care
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. SeeCapacities and
Specifications 0397.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0288 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged. (Continued)
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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322 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
1 Power Assist Steps
2 Antilock brake system pump
3 Interior BEC LT1
4 Passenger motorized seat belt
5 Suspension leveling
compressor
6 4WD transfer case electronic control
7 –
8 –
10 Electric parking brake/–
11 –
12 –
13 Interior BEC LT2
14 Rear BEC 1
15 –
16 – Fuses
Usage
17 Driver motorized seat belt
18 –
19 –
20 –
21 Automatic headlamp leveling/
Exhaust solenoid
22 Fuel pump
23 Integrated chassis control module
24 Real time dampening
25 Fuel pump power module
26 Active hydraulic assist/Battery
regulated voltage
control
27 –
28 Upfitter 2
30 Wiper Fuses
Usage
31 Trailer interface module
32 –
33 –
34 Reverse lamps
35 Antilock brake system valve
36 Trailer brakes
38 –
39 Right trailer stoplamp/Turn
signal lamp
40 Left trailer stoplamp/turn
signal lamp
41 Trailer parking lamps
42 Right parking lamps
43 Left parking lamps
44 Upfitter 3