check engine light CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2004 1.G User Guide

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This may cause wind
noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check
with your dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel
Fuel Requirements and Fuel System” in the Diesel
Engine Supplement.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline Octane
For all except the Silverado SS model, use regular
unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 87 or higher.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
A little pinging noise when you accelerate or drive uphill
is considered normal. This does not indicate a problem
exists or that a higher-octane fuel is necessary.
If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane fuel and
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
If you have the Silverado SS model, use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 91 or higher
for best performance. You may also use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly
reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
5-5

Engine Oil
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil” in
the Diesel Engine Supplement.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster (except vehicles equipped with the
4.3L engine), it means you need to check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
All Other Engines
8.1L Engine
5-20

When to Check and What to Use
The clutch master cylinder
reservoir is located in the
rear of the engine
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the uid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper uid. See
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it’s in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-38.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-35

On V6 engines the remote negative (−) terminal is
located on a tab attached to the engine accessory
drive bracket where it is marked “GND.”
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the ACDelco
®battery
installed in your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ller caps, be sure the right amount of
uid is there. If it is low, add water to take care
of that rst. If you do not, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or a remote positive terminal (+) if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts too. And don’t connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
On vehicles equipped with dual batteries, make all
battery connections to the remote positive (+)
and remote negative (−) terminals.
5-55

C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications..........................5-132
Car Washes for QUADRASTEER™
Equipped Vehicles.......................................4-17
Carbon Monoxide...................2-15, 2-53, 4-46, 4-70
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-117
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-129
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-130
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-130
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
CARGO LAMP ON.........................................3-65
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-97
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-97
CD Messages...............................3-86, 3-99, 3-113
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-68
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-68
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-126
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-91
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-66
Check Engine Light.........................................3-48
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-65CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-65
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-50
Checking Coolant............................................5-36
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-20
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-120
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-47
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System................................1-48, 1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (Crew Cab)..........................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Regular and
Extended Cab).........................................1-61
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
3

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-72
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-123
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-123
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-123
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-123
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-44
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-50
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-52
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-48
Coolant......................................................5-35
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-46
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-46
Oil .............................................................5-20
Overheating................................................5-38
Starting......................................................2-24
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-35
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-23
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-25
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Express Down Windows..................................2-18
Extended Cab........................................1-56, 2-14
Extended Cab and Crew Cab...........................1-53
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering................4-89
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).......................3-79, 3-90, 3-104
Finding a Station..................3-74, 3-77, 3-88, 3-102
Finish Care..................................................5-118
Finish Damage.............................................5-120
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines)........................................2-32
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 6000 V8 Engine)...........2-31
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-130
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-92
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-93
6

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamps....................................................5-63
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-65
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-63
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-69
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-66
Headphones.................................................3-115
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heating.........................................................3-30
Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness Package........4-96
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-44
Hitches..........................................................4-88
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
for Gasoline Engines....................................5-43
How to Add Fluid............................5-30, 5-33, 5-34How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-35
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-59
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-47
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-34
Hydroplaning..................................................4-39
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-40
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-39
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-49
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-49
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-48
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-50
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-70
Ignition Positions.............................................2-23
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-82
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness Control..................3-18
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-124
Interior Lamps................................................3-18
8