check oil CHEVROLET DURAMAX 2006 User Guide

Capacities and Specications
Specication Charts
Engine VIN Code Type
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel 2 V8
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Cooling System (Pickup Models)
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission25.4 quarts
25.0 quarts24.0 L
23.6 L
Cooling System (Van Models)
Front Heat or AC Only
Front Heat or AC Plus Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)
Front and Rear Heat or AC Only
Front and Rear Heat or AC Plus Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)21.0 quarts
22.0 quarts
22.5 quarts
23.5 quarts20.0 L
20.5 L
21.5 L
22.5 L
Engine Oil With Filter 10.0 quarts 9.5 L
All quantities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Recheck fluid level after filling. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15for more information.
5-50
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Any
damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep
your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps
the environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect
the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or
the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions
from your vehicle. To help protect our environment, and
to keep your vehicle in good condition, be sure to
maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we do not know exactly
how you will drive it. You may drive very short distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to work,
to do errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need
more frequent checks and replacements. So please
read the following and note how you drive. If you have
any questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
6-2
ProCarManuals.com

Owner Checks and Services on page 6-11tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-18. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message (pickup
models) or the change engine oil light (van models)
comes on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that,
if you are driving under the best conditions, the engine
oil life system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
®
dealer has GM-trained service technicians who will
perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system.If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally, you
must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last service. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-24for information on the Engine Oil
Life System and resetting the system.
When the message or light appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are required. Required services
are described in the following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended that your
first service be MaintenanceI, your second service be
MaintenanceII, and that you alternate MaintenanceI
and MaintenanceIIthereafter. However, in some cases,
MaintenanceIImay be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the message
or light comes on within 10 months since the vehicle
was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message or light comes
on 10 months or more since the last service or if the
message or light has not come on at all for one year.
6-4
ProCarManuals.com

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-21. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-24.An Emission Control
Service.••
Allison Transmission
®only: Replace external transmission filter at the first
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (a).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter or change indicator, if equipped. If necessary,
replace filter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.See footnote (b).•
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in your owner manual. See “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once
a Month on page 6-12.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (c).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (d).•
6-5
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage (pickup models), rear driveline
center splines (van models), and parking brake cable
guides. Pickup models only: Control arm ball joints
require lubrication but should not be lubricated unless
their temperature is 10°F (-12°C) or higher, or they could
be damaged. Vehicles used under severe commercial
operating conditions require lubrication on a regular basis
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
(a)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(b)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter or change indicator, if equipped, at each engine
oil change.(c)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect disc
brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition.
Inspect drum brake linings/shoes for wear or cracks.
Inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel
cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
(d)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts,
signs of wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect power
steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Pickup models: Visually
check constant velocity joints, rubber boots, and axle
seals for leaks.
(e)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings, and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(f)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
6-9
ProCarManuals.com

(n)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(p)Change automatic transmission uid and external
transmission lter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
-In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
-In hilly or mountainous terrain.
-When doing frequent trailer towing.
-Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(q)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(r)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-34 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
van model fuel operated heater (if equipped), pressure
cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap. For van models, see Fuel Operated
Heater (FOH) (Van Models Only) on page 2-8.
(s)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-21for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-11
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-34for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir and add the proper fluid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they
are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. See “Tires” in your owner manual
for further details. Check to make sure the spare tire
is stored securely. See “Changing a Flat Tire” in
your owner manual.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in
your owner manual.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See “Parking Brake” in your owner manual.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
6-12
ProCarManuals.com