fuel additives CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2008 2.G Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines).....5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................5-22Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-32
Engine Overheating.......................................5-32
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)..............5-34
Cooling System............................................5-35
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-40
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-41
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-42
Brakes........................................................5-43
Battery........................................................5-46
Jump Starting...............................................5-47
Rear Axle.......................................................5-52
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-54
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Noise Control System.....................................5-57
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-58
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance,
we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline.
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 E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 5-8. In all other gasoline engines, use only regular
unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
We recommend against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7for
additional information.
5-6

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards,
your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-49. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or if your vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your dealer/retailer has
additives that will help correct and prevent most
deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-7

If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add
as much fuel as possible — do not add less than
three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You should drive
the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt
to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell the fuel tank more often when using
E85 than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the
Tank on page 5-10.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm your vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-9

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-23
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-43
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-86
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-125
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................3-25, 3-28, 3-29
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-41
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-43
Readiness Light..........................................3-40
Airbag System................................................1-69
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-86
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-78
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-76
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-81
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-86
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-75
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-76
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-74
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-72Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-134
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-134
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Anti-lock Brake, System Warning Light...............3-47
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-120
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-117
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-122
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-118
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-115
Finish Care...............................................5-119
Finish Damage..........................................5-122
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-117
Interior Cleaning........................................5-114
Leather....................................................5-116
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-121
Tires........................................................5-121
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-122
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-123
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-118
Weatherstrips............................................5-117
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-120
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-24
1

Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-54
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage .........................................................3-55
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-56
Running Out of...........................................2-54
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-128
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-125
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-126
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-129
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-125G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-48
Fuel..........................................................3-55
Oil Pressure...............................................3-52
Speedometer..............................................3-38
Tachometer.................................................3-38
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-45
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-71
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-78
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
6