fuel additives CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2009 Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission)...........................................5-22
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)...........................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-35
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-37
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting..............................................
.5-44
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-56
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-57
License Plate Lamp......................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-61
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-67
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6for
additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-43. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
5-6

Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 5-114.
If the vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 0), the
5.3L V8 engine (Code 3), or the 6.2L V8 engine (Code 2),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel on
page 5-5. In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described underGasoline Octane on page 5-5.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 0), the
5.3L V8 engine (Code 3), or the 6.2L V8 engine (Code 2)
can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). We encourage the use
of E85 in vehicles that are designed to use it. The ethanol
in E85 is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html)
that can help you nd E85 fuel. Those stations that
do have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol
content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content
is greater than 85%.
5-7

At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798. By denition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency below
32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain
no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not to alternate
repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do switch
fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than three gallons (11 L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately
after refueling for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the
vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you will
need to rell the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the
Tank on page 5-9.Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-8

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-28
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Active Fuel Management™...............................2-31
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-39
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-114
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-30
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-96
Airbag System
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-88
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-90
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-96
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-87
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-88
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-86
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-83Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-38
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
System Check.............................................1-81
Antenna
Rear Side Window.....................................3-140
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-140
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-41
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-112
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-109
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-113
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-110
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-108
Finish Care...............................................5-110
Finish Damage
..........................................5-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-109
Interior Cleaning........................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-108
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-113
Tires........................................................5-112
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-113
1

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-113
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-85
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-86
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-102
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-22, 5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................3-17
Light..........................................................3-49
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-40, 5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-7
Economy Driving........................................... 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage .........................................................3-50
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Fuel Warning Light................................3-51
Management, Active.....................................2-31
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-118
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-115
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-116
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-119
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-115
G
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-42
Fuel..........................................................3-50
Oil Pressure...............................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Trip Odometer.............................................3-36
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-39
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-71
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-78
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
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