Fuel CHEVROLET TAHOE 2007 3.G Owner's Guide

Your vehicle is equipped with a button at the end of
the shift lever which, when pressed, enables
tow/haul. Your vehicle may be equipped with
Autoride
®which further improves your vehicle’s ride
while towing. SeeAutoride®on page 422for more
information. When the button is pressed, a light on
the instrument panel will illuminate to indicate that
Tow/Haul has been selected. Tow/Haul may be
turned off by pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the instrument panel will
turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn off
Tow/Haul every time it is started.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at
least 75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR). See Weight of the
Trailer later in this section. Tow/Haul is most useful
under the following driving conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load through rolling terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load in stop and go traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load in busy parking lots where
improved low speed control of the vehicle is
desired.Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benet to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
425

Service........................................................ 444
Accessories and Modications................... 444
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 445
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 445
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 446
Fuel............................................................. 446
Gasoline Octane........................................ 447
Gasoline Specications.............................. 447
California Fuel........................................... 447
Additives................................................... 448
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 449
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 450
Filling the Tank......................................... 451
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 455
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 456
Hood Release........................................... 457
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 458
Engine Oil................................................. 459
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 462
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 464
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 466
Engine Coolant.......................................... 470Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 473
Engine Overheating................................... 473
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 476
Cooling System......................................... 477
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 483
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 484
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 485
Brakes...................................................... 486
Battery...................................................... 490
Jump Starting............................................ 491
Rear Axle.................................................... 496
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 497
Front Axle................................................... 498
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 499
Bulb Replacement....................................... 502
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 502
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 502
License Plate Lamp................................... 504
Replacement Bulbs................................... 504
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
441

Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 106.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. SeeMaintenance Record
on page 594.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
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, GM recommends 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
Identication Number (VIN) on page 562.
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 449. In all other engines, use only regular
unleaded gasoline.
446

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 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 448for additional information.
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 may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 253. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
447

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your 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 has additives that will help correct
and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends 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 may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.
448

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
Identication Number (VIN) on page 562.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 0) or
the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 3), you can use
either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel
on page 446. In all other engines, use only the
unleaded gasoline described underGasoline
Octane on page 447.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine
(Code 0) or the 5.3L V8 engine (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.
449

It is best not to alternate repeatedly between
gasoline and E85. 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 451.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and can harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. 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.
450

Filling the Tank
{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
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.
For vehicles with E85 fuel capability, a yellow cap
with the words “E85 or gasoline” will appear.
451

To open the fuel door, push the rearward center
edge inboard and release. The door will pop open.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
the cap is released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from
the hook on the fuel door.
452

{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel
can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 557.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 253.
453