engine CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2008 2.G Owners Manual

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 5-124.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 0) or
the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3), you can use either
regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing
up to 85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel on page 5-6.
In all other engines, use only the unleaded gasoline
described underGasoline Octane on page 5-6.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 0)
or the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3) 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%.
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.
5-8

Filling the Tank
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions
on the pump island. Turn off your engine when
you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave
the fuel pump unattended when refueling your
vehicle. This is against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while pumping fuel.
Keep children away from the fuel pump; never
let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If the vehicle
has E85 fuel capability, a yellow cap with the words
“E85 / Gasoline” can be seen.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is
in your vehicle. Static electricity discharge
from the container can ignite the fuel vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan can start even
when the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine cooling fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-12

Engine Compartment Overview
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
When you open the hood on the 5.3L engine (4.3L, 4.8L and 6.0L similar), this is what you will see:
5-14

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 5-20.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
on page 5-20.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-35andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-32.
D. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-47.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-46.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-15.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on page 5-22orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 5-26.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-47.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
on page 5-15.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-35.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-41.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-43.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-129.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-42.
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil” in
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of
oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-133.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
5-16

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. Look for and use only
an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has
been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this information on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identied as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
5-17

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide easier
cold starting and better protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and
not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-66. Change the oil 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 oil life system
might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained
service people who will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-18

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system so it
can calculate when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs where you change the oil prior to a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message coming on,
reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in PARK (P) to access this display.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-57orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-63.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC,
or the trip odometer reset stem if your vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, for more than ve seconds.
The oil life will change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
back on when you start your vehicle, the Engine Oil Life
System has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of
oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have
a problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
5-19

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(Gasoline Engines)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Pickup Models”
under “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel Supplement for the correct inspection and
replacement procedures.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine air cleaner/lter
and the air lter restriction
indicator, if the vehicle
has one.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle has an air lter restriction indicator, it lets
you know when the engine air cleaner/lter needs to
be replaced. On vehicles with a restriction indicator, you
should inspect the air lter restriction indicator at
every oil change and replace the engine air cleaner/lter
when the indicator tells you to.
On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
5-20