check engine CHEVROLET LOW CAB FORWARD 2017 Owners Manual
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262 Vehicle Care
3. With the engine idling, movethe selector lever from the “P”
position to the “1”position
while pressing the brake pedal,
and then return the lever from
the “1”position to the “P”
position.
4. With the engine still idling, pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean cloth.
Transmission Dipstick (Diesel
Engines)
Transmission Dipstick (Gasoline Engines)
5. Reinsert the dipstick into position, pull out the dipstick
slowly, and check whether the
fluid level is within the “H”
marked range for the diesel
engine or within the “HOT”
marked range for the gas
engine. Always check the fluid
level at least twice.
Consistently is important in
maintaining accuracy.
If inconsistent readings persist, check the transmission
breather to ensure that it is
clean and free of debris.
.
Gasoline Engine Dipstick
COLD —Transmission fluid
temperature Approx. 19 -
25 °C (66 - 77 °F).
. Gasoline Engine Dipstick H
(HOT) —Transmission fluid
temperature Approx. 70 -
80 °C (158 - 176 °F).
. For gasoline engines, the
“COLD” range on the
dipstick is a guide used by
your dealer for specialized
equipment used to replace
or service the automatic
transmission fluid. When
performing your own
inspections, always use the
“HOT” range after warming
up the vehicle.
. Diesel Engine Dipstick C
(COLD) —Transmission
fluid temperature Approx.
20 - 30 °C (68 - 86 °F).
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Vehicle Care 263
.Diesel Engine Dipstick H
(HOT) —Transmission fluid
temperature Approx. 70 -
80 °C (158 - 176 °F).
. For diesel engines, the “C
(COLD)” range on the
dipstick is a guide used by
your dealer for specialized
equipment used to replace
or service the automatic
transmission fluid. When
performing your own
inspections, always use the
“H (HOT)” range after
warming up the vehicle.
The fluid must be hot to
ensure an accurate check.
The fluid level rises as
temperature increases.
6. If the fluid level is too low, add the specified fluid through the
dipstick guide tube. Also, check
whether there are no fluid
leaks.
7. Insert the dipstick securely into position.{Warning
Be extremely careful not to burn
yourself when checking the oil
level if the engine temperature is
high. Protect yourself with
gloves etc.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Discarded parts, oil, grease and
fluids could have an adverse effect
on the environment. It is difficult to
dispose of these, so have your
dealer handle all checks and
replacements.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Air Cleaner
Use of clogged air cleaner element
not only causes a deterioration in
the engine output but also increased
fuel consumption and dark exhaust
smoke. Be sure to use a genuine air cleaner
element. If other air cleaner element
is used, it may cause the sensor to
output a wrong signal.
See
Maintenance Schedule 0345.
Air Cleaner Indicator Light
(Diesel Vehicles Only)
When the air cleaner indicator light
comes on, check the air cleaner
element. If the air cleaner element is
clogged, replace the air cleaner
element.
See Vehicle Messages (Diesel
Only) 097.
See Maintenance Schedule 0345.
Engine Coolant
Protection of Engine against
Overcooling
Overcooling of the engine not only
accelerates wear of the vital engine
parts but also hurts fuel economy.
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264 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 0269. 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
0378.
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)
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Vehicle Care 265
Warning (Continued)
eyes are still irritated or otherwise
feel abnormal, seek immediate
medical attention.
If the engine coolant gets on your
skin, rinse it off using a soap with
a large amount of water. Also,
if abnormality is seen, seek
medical attention.
Engine coolant is flammable, and
therefore, it must be kept away
from flames and other heat
sources. Engine coolant also
could ignite if it comes in contact
with a hot surface, such as the
exhaust manifold. Exercise
caution to prevent this from
happening.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Preparing Engine Coolant
To prevent engine damage due to
freezing of the engine coolant and
to protect the cooling system from
corrosion, use a mixture of the recommended type antifreeze and
water. If the engine of the vehicle is
at
−30 °C (−22 °F) or above, the
coolant concentration should be
50%. Direct use of “50/50
Pre-diluted” product which is already
diluted to 50% concentration is
recommended. If the outside
temperature engine or vehicle is
used at −30 °C (−22 °F) or below,
coolant concentration of 55% is
recommended.
It is the owner ’s responsibility to:
. Maintain the engine cooling
system freeze protection at or
above −30 °C (−22 °F) (at or
below −30 °C (−22 °F) in colder
climates to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
A 50/50 (55/45 for colder
climates) mixture of the
recommended type antifreeze
and water will provide freeze
protection to at or above −30 °C
(−22 °F), (at or below −30 °C
(−22 °F) in colder climates) and
boil protection to 128 °C
(262 °F). Periodic replacement
of engine coolant is needed to replenish the anticorrosion
additives that wear out with use.
Engine coolant that has become
dark in color shows that it needs
to be changed.
. Use only the recommended
coolant. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0378.
. Do not use methanol-base
antifreeze, alcohol or plain water
alone in your vehicle at any time.
They will boil at a lower point
than that at which the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
warn of overheating, and they do
not provide proper protection
against corrosion.
Engine Coolant Quantity
For the quantity of engine coolant,
see Capacities and Specifications
0 389. After changing the engine
coolant, check that the engine
coolant is up to the specified level.
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{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, go immediately to the
nearest dealer for a check 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 0247.
For the 3.0L diesel and the 6.0L
crew cab models, the engine
coolant reserve tank is under the
access panel beneath the left rear
seat. See Engine Cover 0250.
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Vehicle Care 267
For the 5.2L crew cab model, the
engine coolant reserve tank is under
the access panel beneath the left
rear seat. SeeEngine Cover0250.
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.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
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Vehicle Care 269
2. Fill the radiator to the base ofthe filler neck (2).
.Add enough engine coolant
to provide the required
cooling, freezing and
corrosion protection.
. Install the radiator cap.
3. Run the engine until the engine coolant temperature rises to
normal level, and idle the
engine for 10 minutes.
4. Turn off the engine. Make sure that the engine is cool.
Remove the radiator cap and
add engine coolant to the
radiator until it reaches the
base of the filler neck.
5. 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 103 kPa (15 psi)
pressure type for gasoline vehicles
and a 108 kPa (16 psi) for dieselvehicles, 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.
Engine Overheating
When the Engine Overheats
The engine cooling system may
overheat if the engine coolant level
is too low, if there is a sudden loss
of engine coolant (such as radiator
hose failure), or if other problems
occur. It may also temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
.
Climbing a long hill on a hot day.
. Stopping after high-speed
driving.
. Idling for long periods in traffic.
If engine power drops and the
needle on the engine coolant
temperature gauge goes up above
the upper limit of the safety zone
and enters the "H" zone, the engine
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272 Vehicle Care
4. If no steam or engine coolantcan be seen or heard from the
engine compartment:
.Tilt the cab or open the
engine access cover.
‐If the engine coolant is
boiling, wait until it stops
before proceeding.
‐ Look at the see-through
reserve tank. The
engine coolant level
should be between the
"MAX" and "MIN" lines
on the reserve tank.
‐ If necessary, pour
engine coolant (See
Engine Coolant 0263
for the proper coolant
and water mixture) into
the reserve tank only,
not directly into the
radiator. Also, do not
check engine coolant
level at the radiator.
. Make sure the fan belts are
not broken, or off the
pulleys, and that the fan
turns when the engine is started. Make sure the fan
blade and pulleys are not
broken.
. Diesel engine only, check
the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator,
water pump, EGR cooler,
and SCR system and hoses
for leakage.
. Gasoline engine only, if the
engine coolant level in the
reserve tank is low, look for
leaks at the radiator hoses
and connections, heater
hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump.
If the engine coolant level in
the reserve tank is at the
correct level but there is still
an indication on the
instrument panel of an
overheat condition:
You must let the engine
cool first. You may then add
engine coolant directly to
the radiator. See "Adding
Engine Coolant" under
Engine Coolant 0263. 5. Inspect to see if there is any
dirt, etc. attached to the front
surface of the radiator. Also,
inspect to see if there is
anything blocking the core.
If there is anything attached,
clean and remove it.
6. After the inspection, regardless of the vehicle condition, please
contact the nearest dealer.
Once the engine coolant
temperature gauge no longer
signals an overheat condition, you
can resume driving at a reduced
speed. Return to normal driving
after about 10 minutes if the gauge
pointer does not again show an
overheat condition.
When tap water only has been used
for engine coolant in an emergency,
change the engine coolant as soon
as possible.
Engine damage may be caused if
an overheating engine is suddenly
refilled with water. Instead, refill
slowly.
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Vehicle Care 273
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid level must
be checked and it must be changed
according to the Maintenance
Schedule. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0345.
When replenishing power steering
fluid or flushing the power steering
system, always use ATF
(Dexron
®-VI). Failure to use the
proper fluid may damage the power
steering system seals and hoses,
leading to fluid leakage.
Checking the Power Steering
Fluid Level
For the 3.0L diesel vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the “MAX” and“MIN” lines on the
reserve tank. If the level is lower
that the “MIN”line, add fluid up to
the “MAX” line.
For the 5.2L diesel vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the“MAX” and“MIN” lines on the
reserve tank. If the level is lower
that the “MIN”line, add fluid up to
the “MAX” line.
The reserve tank is located at the
rear of the engine compartment on
the right. When you have finished
checking the fluid level, securely
install the cap and cover.
For single cab gasoline vehicles, the
fluid level is correct if it is between
the "MAX" and "MIN" lines on the oil
dipstick. If the level is lower than the
"MIN" line, add fluid up to the
"MAX" line.
The reserve tank is located at the
front left side of the engine.
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274 Vehicle Care
For crew cab gasoline vehicles,
open inspection sub cover, by
pulling the lock lever (red) (1) on the
driver’s seat cushion (2) to unlock it,
raise the cushion and remove the
sub cover. See Engine Cover0250.
When you have finished checking
the fluid level, securely install
the cap.The fluid level is correct if it is
between the "MAX" and "MIN" lines
on the oil dipstick. If the level is
lower than the "MIN" line, add fluid
up to the "MAX" line.
{Warning
Before adding fluid, clean the
area around the cap and pour
fluid from a clean jug or filler.
Foreign matter getting in the tank
may cause power steering system
failure. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not mix the recommended
power steering fluid with fluids of
other brands. Due to chemical
reactions, any mixture of
differently branded fluids may
cause failure of the system.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Washer Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
The windshield washer is equipped
on the windshield wiper arm.
Check the level of fluid in the
windshield washer fluid tank. In
addition, spray windshield washer
fluid and operate the windshield
wipers to check for any areas not
properly wiped. At this time, also
check the spraying condition of the
windshield washer.
Inspect the washer fluid level
regularly, especially during bad
weather conditions.