engine overheat CHEVROLET LOW CAB FORWARD 2019 Owner's Guide

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
210 Driving and Operating
Driving conditionsSelector lever position
Normal uphill road D (overdrive off switch ON)
Steep uphill, steep slope, mountain
road with many sharp curves 2 or 1
Long uphill road 2
Downhill driving:
Do not overuse the foot brake. This
will cause the brakes to overheat,
reducing their effectiveness. On
long downward slopes or sharp
downhill sections of road, use the
engine brake together with the foot
brakes to control the speed.
When the selector lever is in the D
position, you can drive with the
overdrive off switch ON to allow a
gentle engine brake to be applied.
Push the overdrive off switch to the
ON position at speeds below
101 km/h (63 MPH) to increase
engine braking action when
traveling downgrade. You can increase engine braking by
driving with the selector lever in the
2 position.
To apply a stronger engine brake on
sharp downhill sections, shift the
selector lever to the 1 position when
required.
See
Control of a Vehicle 0139.
Driving at Low Speeds for
Sustained Periods
Any low speed applications such as
sweeper, road marking machinery,
trash collectors, highway striping or
moving, etc. require the following
treatment to prevent the automatic
transmission fluid (ATF) from
overheating:
Select 1 position during low speed
operation under 18 km/h (11 MPH). Select 2 position during low speed
operation under 36 km/h (22 MPH).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Temperature Warning Light 078.
To Stop Your Vehicle 1. To temporarily stop the vehicle, press the brake pedal firmly
while the selector lever is in D.
2. Use the parking brake as required. Press the brake pedal
firmly, and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If the vehicle is stationary for a
long time, move the selector
lever into the N or P position.
If the selector lever is kept in
D, the temperature of the
automatic transmission fluid
increases due to heat from the
torque converter.
To ensure reliable brake application,
be sure to use your right foot to
press the brake pedal.
When leaving the driver's seat,
follow the When Parking Your
Vehicle procedure.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Driving and Operating 213
Actions that Can Lead to a Breakdown with an Automatic Transmission
Actions that can lead to a breakdownBreakdown symptoms
Stopping the vehicle on an uphill road with the selector lever in a position
other than R, N, or P, the accelerator pedal pressed, and the brakes not
applied. The transmission fluid overheats.
Continuously pressing the accelerator pedal and brake pedal at the same
time while the vehicle is in a position other than N or P.
Placing the selector lever into any gear with the accelerator pedal pressed
and the engine speed high. The transmission gears are
overloaded.
Placing the selector lever into P before the vehicle has completely stopped. The parking mechanism will be
damaged.
Turning off the engine control switch while driving. The transmission is not properly
lubricated.
Driving with the selector lever in the N position on a long downward slope
(this is dangerous due to the lack of engine brake).

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Vehicle Care 239
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 240
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 240
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Cab Tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 253
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 259
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 262
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Battery - North America . . . . . . 269 Fuel Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Rear Axle (Gear Oil Viscosity
Chart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Rear Axle (Oil Level Check) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 272
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 275
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Headlamps and Front Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Roofmarker Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Sidemarker Lamps (Including Turn Signal and Cornering
Lamps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 286
Interior Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 287
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Vehicle Care 251
or bodies of water. Instead, recycle
it by taking it to a used oil collection
facility which may be found in your
community.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
{Warning
Overfilling of the automatic
transmission can cause the fluid
to be "PURGED" out of the
breather hose onto the hot engine
parts and can cause a fire.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Both quality and quantity of fluid are
important factors that have a
significant influence on the
performance and durability of the
automatic transmission. Be sure to
use only the dealer recommended
fluid for replenishment, and observe
the specified fluid level. Too much or too little transmission
oil could damage your transmission.
Too much could cause your
transmission to overheat and fluid to
spill out from the breather hose. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
When cleaning around the dipstick
and guide tube, make sure that you
thoroughly wipe away all of the dirt
and dust etc. Failure to do so may
cause a fault in the transmission.
Do not let coolants (ethylene glycol
type), water based substances,
or other fluids etc., mix with the
fluid. Otherwise, degraded
performance and faulty operation of
the system will result.
Checking the Automatic
Transmission Oil level
This operation could be difficult and
you may choose to have this done
at your dealer.
If you choose to do it yourself, then
be sure to follow all the instructions
below or you could get a false
reading on the dipstick.Position of the Dipstick
For the single cab vehicle, the
dipstick is located to the left side of
the automatic transmission at the
rear of the engine. Tilt the cab up to
inspect it.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
254 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant in Cold
Weather
To prevent the engine damage due
to freezing of the engine coolant,
mix the coolant and water at the
ratio of 50/50.
Replace rubber hoses whenever
they crack or are damaged; even
minor cracks allow engine coolant
solution to leak.
{Warning
If your engine cooling system
overheats, seeEngine
Overheating 0259. Continued
operation of the engine even for a
short time may result in a fire and
the possibility of personal injury
and/or severe vehicle damage.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Your vehicle has an engine coolant
recovery system, expansion bottle
and/or an engine coolant reserve
tank system. Engine coolant in the
system expands with heat and overflows into the reserve tank.
When the system cools, engine
coolant is drawn back into the
radiator.
The engine cooling system has
been filled at the factory with a
quality engine coolant. It is
important to use proper engine
coolant to prevent damage to
engine cooling system components.
The engine cooling system is
designed to use engine coolant
rather than plain water. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
0349.
See the Maintenance Schedule to
find out when the engine coolant
must be replaced. Note that
changing the engine coolant is
needed to replenish the rust
inhibitors to make certain that all
parts of the engine cooling system
work well.
{Warning
Check, replenish or change the
engine coolant only after the
engine has sufficiently
cooled down.
Do not loosen or remove the cap
of the radiator or engine coolant
reserve tank cap when the engine
coolant is still hot. Hot vapor or
boiling water may burst out and
cause a burn.
When removing the radiator cap
or engine coolant reserve tank
cap, use a thick cloth to cover the
cap and turn it slowly.
Engine coolant is toxic and must
not be ingested. If the engine
coolant is mistakenly ingested,
seek prompt medical attention.
If the engine coolant gets in your
eyes, rinse your eyes immediately
with a large amount of water for
15 minutes or longer. Also, if your (Continued)

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Vehicle Care 255
Warning (Continued)
eyes are still irritated or otherwise
feel abnormal, seek immediate
medical attention.
If the engine coolant gets on your
skin, rinse it off using a soap with
a large amount of water. Also,
if abnormality is seen, seek
medical attention.
Engine coolant is flammable, and
therefore, it must be kept away
from flames and other heat
sources. Engine coolant also
could ignite if it comes in contact
with a hot surface, such as the
exhaust manifold. Exercise
caution to prevent this from
happening.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Preparing Engine Coolant
To prevent engine damage due to
freezing of the engine coolant and
to protect the cooling system from corrosion, use a mixture of the
recommended type antifreeze and
water. If the engine of the vehicle is
at
−30 °C (−22 °F) or above, the
coolant concentration should be
50%. Direct use of “50/50
Pre-diluted” product which is already
diluted to 50% concentration is
recommended. If the outside
temperature engine or vehicle is
used at −30 °C (−22 °F) or below,
coolant concentration of 55% is
recommended.
It is the owner ’s responsibility to:
. Maintain the engine cooling
system freeze protection at or
above −30 °C (−22 °F) (at or
below −30 °C (−22 °F) in colder
climates to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
A 50/50 (55/45 for colder
climates) mixture of the
recommended type antifreeze
and water will provide freeze
protection to at or above −30 °C
(−22 °F), (at or below −30 °C
(−22 °F) in colder climates) and
boil protection to 128 °C (262 °F). Periodic replacement
of engine coolant is needed to
replenish the anticorrosion
additives that wear out with use.
Engine coolant that has become
dark in color shows that it needs
to be changed.
. Use only the recommended
coolant. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0349.
. Do not use methanol-base
antifreeze, alcohol or plain water
alone in your vehicle at any time.
They will boil at a lower point
than that at which the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
warn of overheating, and they do
not provide proper protection
against corrosion.
Engine Coolant Quantity
For the quantity of engine coolant,
see Capacities and Specifications
0 357. After changing the engine
coolant, check that the engine
coolant is up to the specified level.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
256 Vehicle Care
{Warning
For storage, close the cap of
coolant container securely and
keep it in a place inaccessible to
children.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Using any coolant other than that
recommended by your dealer could
cause damage to the engine,
radiator or heater core. In particular,
use of coolants containing borate
salts or silicates may result in
engine or radiator corrosion,
causing engine coolant leaks and
other problems.
To dilute the coolant, use distilled
water or deionized water.
Do not use the coolant at any
coolant concentration other than
that specified. If the coolant
concentration is 60% or higher,
overheating is likely to occur, while
if it is 30% or lower, anti-corrosion
function is not provided sufficiently. Using coolant at any coolant
concentration other than that
specified may reduce anti-freezing
performance, and engine coolant
may freeze.
If the engine coolant decreases
rapidly, stop the vehicle in a safe
place and contact your dealer for
advice and repair.
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level
For the single cab model, the
engine coolant reserve tank is
located behind the front-right wheel.
See
Cab Tilting 0243.
For the crew cab model, the engine
coolant reserve tank is under the
access panel beneath the left rear
seat. See Engine Cover 0245.
When the engine has cooled down,
make sure that the fluid level in the
engine coolant reserve tank is no
lower than the “MIN”line. In
addition, carefully remove the
radiator cap and check to see if it is
damaged. Check that the engine
coolant is full to the filler neck.
Check the engine coolant level only
when it is cold.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
258 Vehicle Care
1. When the engine is cool,remove the radiator cap (1).
.Turn the cap slowly to the
left until it reaches a “stop”.
Do not press down while
turning the cap.
. Wait until any remaining
pressure (indicated by a
hissing sound) is relieved,
then press down on the cap
and continue turning it to
the left.
2. Fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck (2) and install the
radiator cap. Add enough engine coolant to provide for
required cooling, freezing, and
corrosion protection.
3. Run the engine until the engine coolant temperature rises to
normal level, and idle the
engine for 10 minutes.
4. Install the radiator cap.
Check, replenish or change the
engine coolant only after the engine
has sufficiently cooled down.
When the engine is still hot, take
care to prevent engine coolant from
contact with the exhaust manifold.
Any such contact could result in
exhaust manifold damage.
If you use the proper quality engine
coolant, there is no need to add
extra inhibitors or additives which
claim to improve the system. They
may be harmful to the proper
operation of the system.
Do not overfill the engine coolant
reserve tank.
If the level of engine coolant
changes rapidly, have your vehicle
inspected at your dealer. Thermostat
The engine coolant temperature is
controlled by thermostat(s). The
thermostats stop engine coolant
flow through the radiator until a
preset temperature is reached. The
thermostats are installed in the
engine coolant outlet on the engine
block. The same thermostats are
used in both winter and summer.
When a replacement is needed,
genuine GM parts are
recommended.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 108 kPa (16 psi)
pressure type, must be installed
tightly, otherwise engine coolant
may be lost and damage to the
engine may result from overheating.
The radiator pressure cap should be
checked periodically for proper
operation. If a replacement is
required, a genuine GM part is
recommended.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
Vehicle Care 259
Engine Overheating
When the Engine Overheats
The engine cooling system may
overheat if the engine coolant level
is too low, if there is a sudden loss
of engine coolant (such as radiator
hose failure), or if other problems
occur. It may also temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
.Climbing a long hill on a hot day.
. Stopping after high-speed
driving.
. Idling for long periods in traffic.
If engine power drops and the
needle on the engine coolant
temperature gauge goes up above
the upper limit of the safety zone
and enters the "H" zone, the engine
is overheating. The engine overheat
warning light will come on and the
warning buzzer will sound. Either
steam or boiling engine coolant will
squirt out of the radiator. The
vehicle will also have an “OVERHEAT”
message displayed. Take the
following corrective actions
immediately.{Warning
To help avoid being burned:
Do not tilt the cab or open the
engine access cover if you see or
hear steam or engine coolant
escaping from the engine
compartment. Wait until no steam
or engine coolant can be seen or
heard before tilting the cab or
opening the engine cover.
Do not remove the radiator cap or
engine coolant reserve tank cap if
the engine coolant in the tank is
boiling. Also do not remove the
radiator cap while the engine and
radiator are still hot. Scalding fluid
and steam can be blown out
under pressure if either cap is
taken off too soon.
You and others could be seriously
injured. If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge shows an overheat
condition or you have other
reasons to suspect the engine
may be overheating, continued
operation of the engine (other
than as described here) even for
a short period of time may cause
a fire and the result in personal
injury and severe vehicle
damage. Take immediate action
as outlined.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
If you see or hear escaping steam
or have any other reason to suspect
there is a serious overheat
condition, stop and park the vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so, turn
on the hazard warning flasher and
then turn off the engine immediately
and safely exit the vehicle.

Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 5.2L Diesel Engine 4500/5500 Series (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12407814) - 2019 - crc - 12/13/17
260 Vehicle Care
If Steam Is Not Coming from the
Engine CompartmentIf the engine coolant temperature
gauge shows an overheat condition,
or you have reason to suspect the
engine may be overheating, take
the following steps:1. Operate the hazard warning flasher and pull the vehicle
immediately over to a safe
place that does not impede
traffic and park it.
2. Idle the engine and wait until the engine coolant temperature
drops to safety zone. If your air
conditioner (if equipped) is on,
turn it off. And turn on the
heater to help the engine
expel heat.
3. When the needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge
returns to the middle of the
safety zone, stop the engine.
If the needle of engine coolant
temperature gauge does not
drop inside into the safety
zone, turn the engine off and
have your vehicle serviced at
the nearest dealer. When the cooling fan for the
radiator is not turning, turn off
the engine immediately.
{Warning
Even when the engine has been
stopped, the engine coolant in the
radiator remains under pressure.
Immediately removing the radiator
cap could cause steam or hot
water to blow out, and you could
be scalded as a result. The
engine coolant in the reserve tank
may also be hot. Immediately
removing the cap could cause hot
water to blow out, and possibly
scald you. Perform inspection,
refilling, and replacement of
coolant only when its temperature
has cooled.
When removing the radiator cap
and reserve tank cap, use a thick
cloth to cover the cap and turn it
little by little.
You and others could be seriously
injured.