engine coolant CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2016 3.G User Guide

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
360 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 361
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 362
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 372
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 373
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 376
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 376
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 377
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 382 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Power Steering Fluid (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Battery - North America . . . . . . 388
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 392
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 393
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 394
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 394
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 395
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Electrical System Overload . . . 399
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 365
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0442.
2. Battery - North America 0388.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0378.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0377.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0373
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0376.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location. See Jump Starting - North
America 0442.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0378.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0387.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0385.
12. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See Hydraulic
Clutch 0376.
13. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0400.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 367
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0442.
2. Battery - North America 0388.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0378.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0377.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0373
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0376.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0442.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0378.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0385.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0387.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0400.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 369
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0442.
2. Battery - North America 0388.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0378.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0377.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0373
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0376.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0369.
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0378. 9. Remote Negative (–) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0442.
10. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) 0385 or
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) 0385.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0385.
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0387.
13. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped). SeeBattery - North
America 0388.
14. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0400.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
. Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0372.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
378 Vehicle Care
5. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter from the housing. Take
care to dislodge as little dirt as
possible.
6. Clean the engine air cleaner/ filter sealing surfaces and the
housing.
7. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
8. Reverse Steps 2–4 to reinstall the filter cover housing.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
If the vehicle has the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
5.3L V8 Engine Shown, 4.3L
V6 Engine and 6.2L V8 Engine Similar
1. Coolant Surge Tank
2. Coolant Surge TankPressure Cap
3. Engine Electric Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan can
start even when the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 379
Warning (Continued)
keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine
cooling fan.
6.0L V8 Engine
1. Coolant Surge Tank
2. Coolant Surge TankPressure Cap
3. Engine Belt-Driven Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0382.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
380 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0472.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0364.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, wait until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above
the FULL COLD mark. If it is not,
there may be a leak in the cooling
system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the FULL
COLD mark, see “How to Add
Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
for Gasoline Engines,” following.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 381
5.3L V8 Shown, 4.3L V6, 6.0L V8,and 6.2L V8 Similar
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see“Cooling System” in the
Duramax diesel supplement for the
proper coolant fill procedure.
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant.
Light-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure CapHeavy-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
382 Vehicle Care
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90 °C (195 °F).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1-6.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0137.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
0 156 andEngine Power
Messages 0157. If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0
487 orRoadside Assistance
Program 0490.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L
V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear (Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159338) - 2016 - crc - 10/21/15
Vehicle Care 383
Warning (Continued)
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem.If there is an engine overheat
warning, but no steam is seen or
heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
.
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer; see Trailer
Towing 0330.
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.