check transmission fluid CHEVROLET TAHOE 2018 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
136 Instruments and Controls
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The rear wiper control is on the turn
signal lever.
To turn the rear wiper on, slide the
lever to a wiper position.
OFF :Turns the wiper off.
INT : Turns on the rear wiper with a
delay between wipes.
ON : Turns on the rear wiper.
=REAR : Press this button on the
end of the lever to spray washer
fluid on the rear window. The wipers
will clear the rear window and either
stop or return to your preset speed.
For more washer cycles, press and
hold the button. The rear window wiper/washer will
not operate if the liftgate or liftglass
is open or ajar. If the liftgate or
liftglass is opened while the rear
wiper is on, the wiper returns to the
parked position and stops.
Rear Wiper Arm Assembly
Protection
When using an automatic car wash,
move the rear wiper control to OFF
to disable the rear wiper. In some
vehicles, if the transmission is in
N (Neutral) and the vehicle speed is
very slow, the rear wiper will
automatically park under the rear
spoiler.
The wiper operations return to
normal when the transmission is no
longer in N (Neutral) or the vehicle
speed has increased.
Reverse Gear Wipes
If the rear wiper control is off, the
rear wiper will automatically operate
continuously when the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing low
or high speed wipes. If the rear
wiper control is off, the shift lever isin R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing
interval wipes, then the rear wiper
automatically performs interval
wipes.
This feature can be turned on or off.
See
Vehicle Personalization 0170.
The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and the rear
window. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir if either washer is not
working. See Washer Fluid 0311.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, StabiliTrak,
and vehicle speed information.
The compass system is designed to
operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass
display shows CAL, drive the
vehicle for a short distance in an

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
210 Driving and Operating
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0242.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0239.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
274 Driving and Operating
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule0389.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0216.
Before towing a trailer, see
"Hands-Free Operation" under
Liftgate 047.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” following.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 289
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 290
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 291
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 299
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 301
Automatic Transmission Fluid (10-Speed Transmission) . . . 304
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 304
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 311
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Battery - North America . . . . . . 314
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 316
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 317
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 318
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 319
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 319
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 322 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 324
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 324
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 325
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 295
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0368.
2. Battery - North America 0314.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0305.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0304.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “How to Check
Automatic Transmission Fluid”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)
0 301 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (10-Speed
Transmission) 0304.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0368.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 305.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0297.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 311.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0312.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0325.
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 301
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission)
For a heavy-duty Suburban, see the
Suburban Heavy-Duty Package
supplement.
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The only
reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0397.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 389. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0397.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level,
prepare the vehicle: 1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface.
Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about
three seconds in each range.
Then, move the shift lever back
to P (Park).

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
302 Vehicle Care
4. Allow the engine to idle (500–800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the
brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and check the transmission fluid
temperature on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0161 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0162.
6. Using the transmission fluid temperature reading, determine
and perform the appropriate
check procedure. If the
transmission fluid temperature
reading is not within the
required temperature ranges,
allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the
appropriate transmission fluid
temperature is reached.
Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a
reference to determine if the
transmission has enough fluid to be
operated safely until a hot check procedure can be made. The hot
check procedure is the most
accurate method to check the fluid
level. Perform the hot check
procedure at the first opportunity.
Use this cold check procedure to
check fluid level when the
transmission temperature is
between 27 °C and 32 °C (80 °F and
90 °F).
1. Locate the transmission
dipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0293.
2. Flip the handle up, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel. 3. Install the dipstick by pushing it
back in all the way; wait
three seconds, and then pull it
back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
5. If the fluid level is below the
COLD check band, add only
enough fluid as necessary to
bring the level into the COLD
band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than 0.5 L
(1 pt). Do not overfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the
transmission reaches a normal
operating temperature between
71 °C to 93 °C (160 °F to
200 °F).

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
Vehicle Care 303
7. If the fluid level is in theacceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the
transmission fluid level when the
transmission fluid temperature is
between 71 °C and 93 °C (160 °F
and 200 °F).
The hot check is the most accurate
method to check the fluid level. The
hot check should be performed at
the first opportunity in order to verify
the cold check. The fluid level rises
as fluid temperature increases, so it
is important to ensure the
transmission temperature is within
range.1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0293.
2. Flip the handle up, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way; wait
three seconds, and then pull it
back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
5. Safe operating level is withinthe HOT cross hatch band on
the dipstick. If the fluid level is
not within the HOT band, and the transmission temperature is
between 71 °C and 93 °C
(160 °F and 200 °F), add or
drain fluid as necessary to
bring the level into the HOT
band. If the fluid level is low,
add only enough fluid to bring
the level into the HOT band.
It does not take much fluid,
generally less than 0.5 L (1 pt).
Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the fluid level at least
twice using the procedure described
previously. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining
proper fluid level. If readings are still
inconsistent, contact the dealer.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
304 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (10-Speed
Transmission)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The only
reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. This vehicle is not
equipped with a transmission fluid
level dipstick. There is a special
procedure for checking and
changing the transmission fluid in
these vehicles. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact the
dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the
service manual. SeeService
Publications Ordering Information
0 413.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0397.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 389. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0397.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 293 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 389.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349385) - 2018 - crc - 11/3/17
390 Service and Maintenance
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0350.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 304.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0378.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear
at least once a year. See
Exterior Care 0378. Lubricate
the suspension and steering
components at least every other
oil change (if equipped with
grease fittings).
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 091.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts. .
Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0378.
. Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0316.
. Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check
0317.
. Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check 0317.
. Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 317.
. Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
. Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. If the hold
open is low, service the gas
strut. See Gas Strut(s) 0319. .
Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof062.
. Verify spare tire key lock
operation and lubricate as
needed. See Tire Changing
0 359.