2021 CHEVROLET COLORADO check transmission fluid

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
Instruments and Controls 9
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is on with the engine not
running. See“Ignition Positions” in the
owner’s manual.
This light may also come on when the
system has detected a problem with the
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) management
system. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid 022.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the
system before any problem is noticeable.
Being aware of the light and seeking service
promptly when it comes on may prevent
damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually with
this light on, the emission control system
may not work as well, the fuel economy
may be lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system, or the
use of replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This could
lead to costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also affect
the vehicle’s ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 052.
When the light is on, a malfunction has
been detected. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Poor fuel quality can cause inefficient engine
operation and poor driveability, which may
go away once the engine is warmed up. If this occurs, change the fuel brand. It may
require at least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See
Fuel for Diesel
Engines 025.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the test
equipment will likely connect to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Connecting
devices that are not used to perform an
Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect vehicle
operation. See “Add-On Electrical Equipment”
in the owner’s manual. See your dealer if
assistance is needed.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
52 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . 52
Vehicle Checks
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . 53
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 58
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Battery (4-Cylinder Pickup Only) . . . . . . . . 63
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 64
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
General Information
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 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.
See the warranty manual.
Aftermarket Engine Performance
Enhancement Products and Modifications
Some aftermarket engine performance
products and modifications promise a way
to increase the horsepower and torque
levels of the vehicle's powertrain. You should
be aware that these products could have
harmful effects on the performance and life
of the engine, exhaust emission system,
transmission, and drivetrain. The engine,
transmission, and drivetrain have been
designed and built to offer industry leading
durability and performance in the most
demanding applications. Engine power
enhancement products may enable the
engine to operate at horsepower and torque
levels that could damage, create failure,
or reduce the life of the engine, engine
emission system, transmission, and
drivetrain. Damage, failure, or reduced life of
the engine, transmission, emission system,
drivetrain, or other vehicle components
caused by aftermarket engine performance
enhancement products or modifications
might not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
58 Vehicle Care
engine at extremely low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification”earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos2
specification are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates engine
oil life based on vehicle use and displays the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message when it
is time to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset to 100%
only following an oil change. See
“Engine Oil
Life System” in the owner’s manual.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change (2.8L
4-Cylinder Engine Pickup Models)
See“Automatic Transmission Fluid” in the
owner’s manual.
When to Check and Change (2.8L
4-Cylinder Engine Van Models)
It is not necessary to check the transmission
fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer and have it
repaired as soon as possible. There is a special procedure for checking and
changing the transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be done at
your dealer. Contact your dealer for
additional information.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals
listed in
Maintenance Schedule 073 or
Maintenance Schedule 077, and be sure to
use the fluid listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 078.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
2.8L 4-Cylinder Engine Pickup Models
See “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in the
owner’s manual.
2.8L 4-Cylinder Engine Van Models
The air cleaner/filter assembly is on the
front of the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 053.
When to Inspect/Replace the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and inspecting the
engine air filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 73 or
Maintenance Schedule 077.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
76 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Perform Required Services. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (1)@ @@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.@@@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (2)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (3)@
Replace timing belt.@
Replace fuel filter. (Pickup) (4)@@@@
Replace fuel filter. (Van) (4)@@@@@
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Severe
(1) Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 58. (2)
Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 060.
(3) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed. (4)
Or every two years, or when the
CHANGE FUEL FILTER message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on,
whichever comes first. The fuel filter may
need to be replaced more often based on
biodiesel usage, when driving in climates
with excessive dust, or when off-road driving
or towing a trailer for extended periods.

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
Index 85
IndexA
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Appearance CareExterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
BrakeExhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
C
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
CheckEngine Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 9
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Covers Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
D
DieselStarting Your Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . 10
E
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . 64
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . 9
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Starting Your Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Engines Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Exhaust Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Chevrolet/GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement (GMNA-Localizing-
U.S./Canada-14465442) - 2021 - CRC - 2/3/20
86 Index
Exhaust FluidDiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
F
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Replacement (Fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . 34
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Filter Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operated Heater (FOH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Running out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Water in Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . 64
G
Gauges
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
H
HeaterEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fuel Operated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
I
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
L
LampsMalfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . 9
Lights Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 9
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Power Take-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Wait to Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 77 Maintenance Schedule (cont'd)
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . 78
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
O
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
P
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power Take-Off (PTO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Power Take-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
R
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 78
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Replacement Parts Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Running out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30