instrument panel CHEVROLET C/K 2003 User Guide

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2-5 Keys
2-7 Door Locks
2-8 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-12 Switchbanks
2-13 Theft
2-14 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-15 Ignition Positions
2-16 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2-19 Starting the Diesel Engine
2-24 Starting Your DURAMAX
Diesel Engine
2-27 Engine Checks Before Operating
2-28 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-30 Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake (If Equipped)
2-31 Two-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control
(If Equipped)
2
-34 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-36 Manual Transmission Operation
2-40 Parking
2-45 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-45 Engine Exhaust2
-46 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-47 Horn
2-48 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2-48 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-55 Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-56 Rear Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-57 Exterior Lamps
2-60 Interior Lamps
2-61 Mirrors
2-63 Storage Compartments
2-65 Accessory Power Outlets
2-66 Trailer Connections (C4/C5 Models Only)
(If Equipped)
2
-67 Trailer Connections (C6/C7/C8 Models Only)
(If Equipped)
2
-68 The Instrument Panel-Your
Information System
2
-70 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-73 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-12
Switchbanks
Instrument Panel Switchbank
This switchbank is located in the center of the
instrument panel.
The switchbank may include marker lamp defeat, high
idle, traction control, heated mirrors, power take
-off,
rear air suspension, two
-speed axle (electric), exhaust
brake, two
-speed axle (air), differential lock, rear axle
differential lock and inter
-axle differential lock. If your
vehicle does not have some of the features controlled
by these switches, there will be a blank switch marker in
its place.
For more information, see each of these features in
the Index.

2-23 Exhaust Restrictor (Diesel Engines)
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, there is an
exhaust restrictor valve located in the exhaust stream.
The valve closes to provide back pressure to the engine
for the purpose of warming the engine quickly.
The exhaust restrictor operates:

while the engine is running.

while the vehicle is not moving.

while the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals are
not pressed.

while idling or driving in cold temperatures.

when the shift lever is in NEUTRAL (N)
or PARK (P).On vehicles equipped with a diesel engine exhaust
brake, the exhaust brake switch must be on. The
indicator in the exhaust brake switch will be lit when the
exhaust restrictor is active. The exhaust brake indicator
light in the center of the instrument panel will also be lit
whenever the exhaust restrictor is active.
When the engine coolant temperature is below 149F
(65C) and the outside temperature is below 50F
(10C), the exhaust restrictor will come on within
45 seconds of starting the engine. After running the
engine for an additional 45 seconds, the engine idle
will increase.
The exhaust restrictor will shut off and engine idle will
return to normal once the engine is warmed up, or the
transmission is shifted into range.

2-30
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake
(If Equipped)
The exhaust brake is available on vehicles equipped
with a diesel engine. It is located in the exhaust system.
The exhaust brake is used to help slow the vehicle and
may assist the vehicle's foundation brakes. The use of
the exhaust brake will assist the braking of the vehicle
and prolong the life of the foundation brake lining
material.
The exhaust brake switch is
located in the instrument
panel switchbank.Push the bottom of the switch to turn the exhaust brake
on. When you push the top of the switch, the exhaust
brake will turn off.
There is an indicator light on the instrument panel
similar to the symbol on the switch, that will come on
when the exhaust brake is active. See ªExhaust Brake
Indicator Lightº in the Index for more information.
When using the exhaust brake, the proper gear range
selection is important. The exhaust brake will be most
effective if the gear range selected is the lowest possible
range that does not allow the engine rpm to go more
than 200 rpm above rated (full load) rpm. If you have a
Caterpillar diesel engine, do not exceed 2900 rpm. If
you have a DURAMAX (LG4) diesel engine, do not
exceed 3200 rpm. If you have a DURAMAX (LB7)
diesel engine, do not exceed 3600 rpm.
If you have an automatic transmission and press this
button, the transmission will downshift to a factory
default setting of fourth gear. To change the default
setting, or for more information on factory default
settings, contact your dealer for assistance.

2-32
The two-speed axle should be in low when you park the
vehicle. You'll need to engage the transmission, even
move the vehicle a little, to be sure the axle is in the low
range. Then apply the parking brake, shift into
NEUTRAL and shut off the engine.
Also, always start the vehicle in motion with the
two
-speed axle in the low range. To shift up from low to
high, do the following:
1. Move the switch up for the high range,
2. disengage the clutch, and
3. after a brief pause, engage the clutch and then press
down on the accelerator.
To shift down from high to low, do the following:
1. Move the switch down to low,
2. release the accelerator and then quickly apply
it again.
Automatic Transmission
The rear axle shift control
switch for an automatic
transmission is located in
the instrument panel
switchbank.
Press the bottom of the switch to get to the low range.
The switch indicator light will come on when the
vehicle is in low range. Press the top of the switch to
return to the high range.
The two
-speed axle should be in low range when you
park the vehicle. Apply the parking brake, shift to
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and shut off the engine.
To operate off
-road or under a heavy load, shift into low
range when the vehicle is standing still and then operate
the transmission normally.

2-33
On the highway, with the axle in low range and the
transmission in top gear, you may shift the axle to high
range by raising the switch and releasing the accelerator
momentarily. Reapply the accelerator after you shift.
Under light load conditions, first shift the axle into the
high range with the vehicle at a standstill and then
operate the transmission normally.
Air Shift Control (Automatic Transmission)
The switch for the rear axle
shift control is located in the
instrument panel
switchbank.
Press the bottom of the switch to get to the low range.
Press the top of the switch to return to the high range.The two
-speed axle should be in low when you park
the vehicle.
You'll need to engage the transmission, even moving the
vehicle a little, to be sure the axle is in low range. Then
shift into PARK (P), apply the parking brake and shut
off the engine.
Also, always start the vehicle in motion with the
two
-speed axle in the low position. To shift up from
low to high, press the top of the rear axle shift control
switch and press down on the accelerator. When you
shift the axle from high to low, press the bottom of the
switch, release the accelerator and then quickly press it
down again.
Air Suspension (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the Hendrickson
HAS Series single
-axle air suspension which is designed
for single
-axle on-highway use. The feature is available
in 19,000 lb. (8 618.3 kg), 21,000 lb. (9 525.4 kg) and
23,000 lb. (10 432.6 kg) capacities for operations which
require extra cubic capacity and a reduced deck height.

2-34 Rear Air Suspension Dump Control
If your vehicle is equipped with the Hendrickson HAS
Series single
-axle air suspension, you have this control.
The air suspension dump control allows the operator to
lower the deck height approximately 4.5 inches
(11.5 cm) from the normal frame height.
The switch to deflate and
inflate the air suspension is
located in the instrument
panel switchbank.
Press the bottom of the switch to deflate the air
suspension and lower the deck height. Press the top
of the switch to return the suspension to normal
deck height.
An indicator light will come on and stay on whenever
the switch is in the dumped position.
Automatic Transmission Operation
We build vehicles with five and six-speed automatic
transmissions. This part of the manual covers the basics
of these. With some of the transmissions, you will find
another manual in your vehicle that goes into more
detail. On the headliner, in front of and above the driver,
or in some other place near the driver, you will see a
label that describes important operating facts about the
automatic transmission in your vehicle. Make sure you
follow the instructions on this label.
Be sure to keep your parking brake set until you are
ready to shift into DRIVE (D), and press the brake pedal
while shifting from NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P) to a
drive gear.
All vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions
can be started in PARK (P), if equipped, or in
NEUTRAL (N). See the Allison

Transmission
Operator's Manual in your vehicle for more information
about this.

2-36 Overdrive Defeat (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not to
shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when towing or
under a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat switch
is located in the instrument
panel to the right of the
steering column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to fourth gear.
This will allow for better fuel economy and fewer
downshifts while pulling a tractor or trailer or under a
heavy load. The indicator light in the switch will come
on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you're starting to move the vehicle, it's important
to begin with the engine speed at idle. Then start to
engage the clutch and listen for an engine speed drop
of about 100 rpm. At this point, the clutch is engaging,
so you should increase the engine speed and fully
engage the clutch. It's important not to increase the
engine speed sooner or before the clutch begins it's
engagement. If you do, you can cause damage to
your vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to neutral and engage the clutch. When upshifting,
slow the engine until the engine rpm and road speed
match. When downshifting, accelerate the engine until
the engine rpm and road speed match. Then quickly
disengage the clutch and move the shift lever to the next
gear position and engage the clutch.

2-40
Parking
CAUTION:
If you don't park your vehicle properly, it can
roll. If you've left the engine running, it can move
very quickly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on level ground, follow the steps below.
Two-Speed Rear Axle
1. With the engine running, shift the two-speed rear
axle into low. To be sure it's in low, you'll need to
move the vehicle in gear just a little.
2. Hold the regular brake pedal down with your
right foot.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL or PARK (P).
Hydraulic Brakes (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes, it has either a
parking brake foot pedal or hand lever. If you have the
parking brake foot pedal, it is located below the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
If you have the parking brake hand lever, it is located to
the right of the driver, on the floor.
To set the foot pedal parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.

2-42 Air Brake (If Equipped)
CAUTION:
When the yellow SYSTEM PARK and the red
TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are both pushed
in, your rig will be free to move. It could strike
someone or something. When both of these knobs
are pushed in, hold the regular brake pedal down
to keep your rig from moving.
If your vehicle has air
brakes, you will have this
parking brake. It is located
above the radio in the
instrument panel.
Pulling it out applies the parking brake. The park brake
light will come on when the air parking brake is applied.