2021 CHEVROLET COLORADO Def level

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
10 Instruments and Controls
The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
.The light is on when the engine is
running.
.The light does not come on when the
ignition is on with the engine not
running.
.Critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed. If this
happens, the vehicle would not be ready
for inspection and might require
several days of routine driving before the
system is ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if the
vehicle has recently been serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will not pass
or cannot be made ready for the test.
Wait-to-Start Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the engine, as a check to show the light is
working. If the wait-to-start light comes on, the glow
plug system is required and operating. Wait
until the light turns off before starting the
engine. This light may not come on in warm
temperatures.
The fast warm-up glow plug system makes
the wait-to-start light stay on for a shorter
amount of time than most diesel engines.
See
Starting the Diesel Engine 013.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light
This light, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message, and a chime come on when there
is an issue with the Diesel Exhaust Fluid.
If the DEF level has not been corrected, the
light will continue to flash when the vehicle
is started. The vehicle's speed may also be
limited.
Also see Diesel Exhaust Fluid 022.
Power Take-Off Light (Chassis
Cab Only)
Chassis Cab
The vehicle may have a Power Take-Off
(PTO) light. Under normal operating
conditions, the PTO light will remain on
throughout the PTO operating cycle. If all
conditions required to engage PTO have not
been met when enabling PTO, the PTO light
will turn on, then turn off after one second.
See Power Take-Off (PTO) 037.
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC is in the instrument cluster. The DIC
comes on when the ignition is on.
A Duramax diesel vehicle may have the
following additional DIC menu items:

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
Instruments and Controls 11
Exhaust Fluid Level :The Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) level will be displayed as either
OK, XX%, or LOW.
When LOW appears on the display, add DEF
as soon as possible. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid
0 22.
Fuel Filter Life Remaining : This display
shows an estimate of the fuel filter's
remaining useful life. If 90% Fuel Filter Life
Remaining is displayed, it means 90% of the
current fuel filter life remains. The fuel filter
life system will alert when to change the
fuel filter on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
When the remaining fuel filter life is low,
the CHANGE FUEL FILTER message will
appear on the display. Change the fuel filter
as soon as possible.
Fuel Filter Life Reset : Reset the Fuel Filter
Life Remaining display after each fuel filter
change. It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the display at any time
other than when the fuel filter has just been
changed because it cannot be reset
accurately until the next fuel filter change.
The fuel filter life will change to 100% when
the system has been reset. To reset the
system, press and hold the set/reset button, or the trip odometer reset stem if there are
no DIC buttons, for two seconds while Fuel
Filter Life Remaining is displayed on the DIC.
Engine Hour (Hourmeter) :
Shows the total
number of hours the engine has run. The
display also shows the engine idle hours.
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization (Van
Models)
This vehicle may have customization
capabilities that allow you to program
certain features to one preferred setting.
Customization features can only be
programmed to one setting on the vehicle
and cannot be programmed to a preferred
setting for two different drivers.
A Duramax diesel vehicle may have the
following additional vehicle personalization
items:
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following are customization features
that allow you to program settings to the
vehicle: ELEVATED IDLE
This feature allows you to turn on or off
Elevated Idle.
Press
Uuntil ELEVATED IDLE appears on the
DIC display. Press
Vonce to access the
settings for this feature. Then press
Uto
scroll through OFF, ON, or NO CHANGE. To
select a setting, press
Vwhile the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Vehicle Personalization (Pickup
Models)
Use the audio system controls to access the
personalization menus for customizing
vehicle features.
The following features may be available on
some vehicles with a diesel engine. See
“Vehicle Personalization” in the owner’s
manual for additional vehicle
personalizations.
If equipped, these features may be selected
using the infotainment display.
To access the vehicle personalization menu:
1. Touch the Settings icon on the Home Page of the infotainment display.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
22 Driving and Operating
Continue to follow the instructions in the
DIC messages. Hold the exhaust brake
switch on the center stack below the climate
controls for more than three seconds, and
then release it, to begin the regeneration
process.
If the EXHAUST BRAKE ON message displays,
then the switch was released too soon.
Press it again to turn off the exhaust brake,
then try again when the DIC message
prompts.
When manual regeneration begins, the
engine speed increases, the engine cooling
fan sound increases, and a DIC message
indicates that cleaning is in progress.
A DIC message will display when cleaning
has completed. The message will remain as
long as cleaning is not necessary. Cleaning
could take up to 30 minutes. Upon
completion, the engine will return to normal
idle, but exhaust components will remain
hot for several minutes. Do not move the
vehicle until the exhaust has had time to
cool. Manual regeneration can be canceled
at any time by pressing the brake pedal or
turning the engine off. Unusual noises may
be heard if regeneration is interrupted.Diesel Exhaust Fluid{
Warning
Avoid getting Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
on your skin or in your eyes as it could
cause irritation. For more safety,
handling, and storage information, see
the Diesel Exhaust Fluid container label.
Caution
Use only DEF that is GM approved,
or fluid containing the API certified or ISO
22241 label. The use of other fluids could
damage the system, requiring costly
repairs that will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not mix fuel with DEF, and do not put
DEF in the fuel tank. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is used with diesel
engines to reduce the amount of regulated
emissions produced. Products such as AdBlue are types of DEF, and are approved for use
in the vehicle as long as they have an API
certification label or meet ISO 22241. The
fluid level in the DEF tank must be
maintained for the vehicle to run properly.
DEF is not a fuel additive. DEF should not be
mixed with or added to diesel fuel. DEF
freezes when exposed to temperatures
below
−11 °C (12 °F). For DEF tank capacity
see Capacities and Specifications 082.
It is normal to hear the DEF system purge
fluid back into the tank after the vehicle is
shut off.
Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DEF can be purchased at your dealer.
Additionally, some diesel truck fueling
stations or retailers may have DEF for
purchase. For vehicles with an active OnStar
or connected services plan, OnStar can help
to locate a DEF retailer. See “Customer
Assistance Offices” in the owner’s manual
for phone numbers to assist in contacting a
GM dealer. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 078.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
Driving and Operating 23
Filling the DEF Tank
DEF Fill–Van Model Shown, 4-Cylinder
Pickups Similar
The blue DEF cap is behind the fuel/DEF
door. Do not remove the fuel and DEF caps
at the same time. Fill diesel fuel and DEF
independently. Turn the DEF cap
counterclockwise to remove.
In cold conditions DEF can freeze in the DEF
fill pipe opening. If this prevents the filling
of the DEF tank, place the vehicle in a warm
garage overnight.
Fill the DEF tank on level ground and with
the vehicle off. When adding DEF, it is
recommended to fully fill the DEF tank. For DEF tank capacity see
Capacities and
Specifications 082. When adding DEF to an
empty or very low tank, always add at least
7.5L (2 gal) of fluid to release the vehicle
from speed limitation.
When fluid reaches the top of the DEF fill
pipe, stop filling. Do not top off the DEF
tank. If using a bottle or jug to refill DEF,
follow the instructions on the container
label and use a dedicated fill aid.
Caution
Do not overfill the DEF tank and do not
allow DEF to contact the finished surfaces
of the vehicle, as it could damage the
vehicle finish. If DEF is spilled during
filling, wipe any affected surface with a
damp cloth.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
Push the fuel/DEF door closed.
DEF Low
As the DEF level drops, warnings will
automatically be displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Select Vehicle
Information in the DIC to view DEF level
status. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 10. Refill the DEF tank at the first opportunity
after a low warning indication to avoid
vehicle speed limitations.
It may take some time for the vehicle to
detect that DEF has been added. If there
was a vehicle speed limitation, it will be
removed gradually and it may take several
kilometers/miles for the DIC message to
update.
If DEF is added under freezing conditions,
especially if DEF level is low and frozen, up
to several hours of drive time may be
required to remove the speed limitation.
It is recommended to ensure the DEF tank
level is 30% or higher during winter time.
The DEF range DIC message first displays at
approximately 1 600 km (1,000 mi). This
message appears again at approximately
500 km (300 mi) of remaining range before
the exhaust fluid tank becomes empty.
As the fluid level nears empty, these
messages appear every time the vehicle is
started.
If the DEF low warnings are ignored and the
DEF tank becomes empty, the DIC will
display messages that describe the action
needed and distance until vehicle speed is

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
Technical Data 83
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Engine Oil with Filter
2.8L 4-Cylinder Engine 5.6 L 6.0 qt
*Do not overfill the DEF tank. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid022.
All quantities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level
after filling.
Engine cooling system capacity values are based on the entire cooling system and its components.
Engine Specifications
Engine VIN CodeType
2.8L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel (LWN Engine) 1L4