2010 Chevrolet Suburban Owners Manual

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brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If the engine has been left running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. Always put the shift lever fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. If the transfer case on a four-wheel-drive vehicle is in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to roll, even if the shift lever is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral). 5-67 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (68,1) Leaving After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 2. Start the engine 3. Shift into a gear 4. Release the parking brake 5. Let up on the brake pedal. 6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks. Maintenance When Trailer Towing The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or Index for more information. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these before and during the trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight. Trailer Wiring Harness The vehicle is equipped with the following wiring harnesses for towing a trailer. Basic Trailer Wiring The trailer wiring harness, with a seven-pin connector, is located at the rear of the vehicle and is tied to the vehicle's frame. The harness connector can be plugged into a seven-pin universal heavy-duty trailer connector available through your dealer. The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer circuits: . Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal . Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal . Brown: Taillamps . White: Ground Light Green: Back-up Lamps . Red: Battery Feed* . Dark Blue: Trailer Brake* *The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the underhood electrical center, but the wires are not connected. They should be connected by your dealer or a qualified service center. 5-68 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (69,1) Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness Package The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer circuits: The vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal trailer connector is attached to a bracket on the hitch platform. . Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal . Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal . Brown: Taillamps . White: Ground Light Green: Back-up Lamps . Red: Battery Feed* . Dark Blue: Trailer Brake* *The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the underhood electrical center, but the wires are not connected. They should be connected by your dealer or a qualified service center. If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the tow/haul mode button located at the end of the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system voltage and properly charge the battery. If the trailer is too light for tow/haul mode, turn on the headlamps as a second way to boost the vehicle system and charge the battery. 5-69 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (70,1) Electric Brake Control Wiring Provisions These wiring provisions are included with the vehicle as part of the trailer wiring package. These provisions are for an electric brake controller. The instrument panel contains blunt cut wires near the data link connector for the trailer brake controller. The harness contains the following wires: . Dark Blue: Brake Signal to Trailer Connector . Red/Black: Battery Light Blue/White: Brake Switch . White: Ground It should be installed by your dealer or a qualified service center. If the vehicle is equipped with an ITBC, the blunt cuts exist, but are not connected further in the harness. If an aftermarket trailer brake controller is installed, the ITBC must be disconnected. Do not power both ITBC and aftermarket controllers to control the trailer brakes at the same time. Trailer Recommendations Subtract the hitch loads from the Cargo Weight Rating (CWR). CWR is the maximum weight of the load the vehicle can carry. It does not include the weight of the people inside, but you can figure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each passenger. The total cargo load must not be more than the vehicles CWR. Weigh the vehicle with the trailer attached, so the GVWR or GAWR are not exceeded. If using a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place. The best performance is obtained by correctly spreading out the weight of the load and choosing the correct hitch and trailer brakes. For more information see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50 . 5-70 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (1,1) Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11 Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13 Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14 Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14 Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17 Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21 Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23 Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30 Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-36 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39 Engine Fan Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39 Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-40 Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-45 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-46 Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-51 Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-53 Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54 6-1 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (2,1) Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58 Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58 Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-59 License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60 Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61 Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-63 Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-64 Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-69 Inflation - Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-72 Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-73 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74 Tire Inspection and Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-78 When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-79 Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-80 Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-82 Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-82 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-84 Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-84 6-2 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-86 If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-87 Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-88 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-89 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94 Secondary Latch System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-101 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . 6-104 Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-107 Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-108 Interior Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-108 Fabric/Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-109 Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-110 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-110 Care of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-111 Weatherstrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-111 Washing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-111 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-112 Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-112 Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades . . . . 6-113 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (3,1) Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-114 Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115 Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115 Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115 Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115 Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-115 Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116 Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116 Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117 Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117 Windshield Wiper Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117 Power Windows and Other Power Options . . . 6-117 Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118 Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-118 Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 6-120 Underhood Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-121 Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-125 6-3 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (4,1) Service For service and parts needs, visit your dealer. You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks: Accessories and Modifications When non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories are added to the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control. Some of these accessories could even cause malfunction or damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Damage to vehicle components resulting from the installation or use of non‐GM certified parts, including control module modifications, is not covered under the terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining warranty coverage for affected parts. GM Accessories are designed to complement and function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM dealer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and supported service technicians will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories. Also, see Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2‑100. 6-4 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (5,1) California Proposition 65 Warning Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, many fluids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals. California Perchlorate Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters, may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling may be necessary. For additional information, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Doing Your Own Service Work If this vehicle is a Two‐mode Hybrid, see the Two‐mode Hybrid manual for more information. { WARNING: You can be injured and the vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it. . Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, the proper replacement parts, and tools before attempting any vehicle maintenance task. . Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. English and metric fasteners can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners are used, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt. If doing some of your own service work, use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service the vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 8‑16. This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to do your own service work, see Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2‑99. 6-5 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (6,1) Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work performed. See Maintenance Record on page 7‑15. Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the airflow around it. This can cause wind noise and can affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance. Check with your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of the vehicle. Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards developed by auto companies. A list of marketers providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found at www.toptiergas.com. 6-6 The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies the vehicle's engine. The VIN is at the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on page 6‑116. Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (7,1) Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 6‑9 . For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Gasoline Octane on page 6‑7. Gasoline Octane For all vehicles except those with the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service. If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service. Gasoline Specifications At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification 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. See Additives on page 6‑8 for additional information. 6-7 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (8,1) California Fuel If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. See the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog‐check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4‑39 . If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer 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, nothing should have to be added 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 the vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors. 6-8 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (9,1) 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 might be available in your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines, if they comply with the specifications 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: This 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 the vehicle 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 for service. Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Gasoline Octane on page 6‑7. 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.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations/) that can help you find 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%. 6-9 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (10,1) Notice: Some additives are not compatible with E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle's fuel system. Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by additives would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Notice: This 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 the vehicle 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 find. 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 the vehicle 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. At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specification D 5798. By definition, 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 specifications 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 specification 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 0°C (32°F), 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. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as possible — do not add less than 11 L (3 gal) when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least 11 km (7 mi) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration. E85 has less energy per liter (gallon) than gasoline, so you will need to refill the fuel tank more often when using E85 than when you are using gasoline. See Filling the Tank on page 6‑11. 6-10 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (11,1) Filling the Tank { WARNING: Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when refueling the 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 side of the vehicle. If the vehicle has E85 fuel capability, the fuel cap will be yellow and state that E85 or gasoline can be used. See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 6‑9. 6-11 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (12,1) { WARNING: Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray can happen if the 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 overfill the tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your Vehicle on page 6‑111. When replacing the fuel cap, insert the tether in its hole before tightening the cap. Turn the fuel cap clockwise until it clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on the last turn as you tighten it. 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. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4‑39. To open the fuel door, push the rearward center edge in and release and it will 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. 6-12 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (13,1) If the vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), the TIGHTEN GAS CAP message displays if the fuel cap is not properly installed. { WARNING: If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant. Leave the area immediately. Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may cause the malfunction indicator lamp to light and may damage the fuel tank and emissions system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4‑39. Filling a Portable Fuel Container { WARNING: Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others: . Dispense fuel only into approved containers. . Do not fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the inside of the fill opening before operating the nozzle. Contact should be maintained until the filling is complete. . Do not smoke while pumping fuel. . Do not use a cellular phone while pumping fuel. 6-13 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (14,1) Checking Things Under the Hood Hood Release To open the hood: 1. Pull the handle with this symbol on it. It is located inside the vehicle to the lower left of the steering wheel. { WARNING: An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan. { WARNING: Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, 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. 6-14 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (15,1) 3. Push the secondary hood release to the right. 4. Lift the hood. Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then bring the hood from full open to within 6 inches (152 mm) from the closed position, pause, then push the front center of the hood with a swift, firm motion to fully close the hood. 2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary hood release, near the center of the grille. 6-15 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (16,1) Engine Compartment Overview If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information. When you open the hood on the 5.3L engine (6.0L and 6.2L similar), here is what you will see: 6-16 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (17,1) A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21. B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 6‑30. C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 6‑46 . D. Battery on page 6‑45. E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 6‑17. F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on page 6‑23 or Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) on page 6‑26. G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting on page 6‑46. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 6‑17. I. Engine Cooling Fan. See Cooling System on page 6‑30 . J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 6‑40. K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 6‑42. L. Underhood Fuse Block on page 6‑121. M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑41 . Engine Oil Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill. 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. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for 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 this is not done, 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. 6-17 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (18,1) When to Add Engine Oil See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for the location of the engine oil fill cap. 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 6‑125. 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. Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when through. 6-18 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (19,1) What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Look for three things: . GM6094M Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M. . SAE 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50. . American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol Oils meeting these requirements should have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Cold Temperature Operation If in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature falls below −20°F (−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low temperatures. Always use an oil that meets the required specification, GM6094M. See “What Kind of Engine Oil to Use” for more information. Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM6094M are all that is needed for good performance and engine protection. Engine oil system flushes are not recommended and could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. 6-19 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (20,1) Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed. On some vehicles, when the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on to indicate that an oil change is necessary. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4‑62 . Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 miles). It is possible that, if 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 filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. For vehicles without the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message, an oil change is needed when the OIL LIFE REMAINING percentage is near 0%. Your dealer 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, the oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 miles) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change the engine oil and filter 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 the oil is changed 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 on most vehicles: 1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the vehicle must be in P (Park) to access this display. See DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 4‑48 or DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 4‑55. 2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC, or the trip odometer reset stem if the vehicle does not have DIC buttons, for more than five seconds. The oil life will change to 100%. 6-20 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (21,1) On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life System can be reset as follows: 1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off 2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds. 3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows 100%, the system is reset. See DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 4‑48 or DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 4‑55. If the vehicle has a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message and it comes back on when the vehicle is started and/or the OIL LIFE REMAINING is near 0%, 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 filter 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. Recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for the location of the engine air cleaner/filter. Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Maintenance II intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3 for more information. If driving on dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil change. How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/ Filter To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the engine air cleaner/filter from the vehicle by following Steps 1 through 6. When the engine air cleaner/filter is removed, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt. If the engine air cleaner/filter remains caked with dirt, a new filter is required. 6-21 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (22,1) Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 1. Locate the air cleaner/ filter assembly . See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 . 2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing and lift up the cover. 3. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter from the housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as little dirt as possible. 4. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter sealing surfaces and the housing. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. 5. 6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws. 6-22 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (23,1) { 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. Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) When to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid A good time to check the automatic transmission fluid level is when the engine oil is changed. Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3 and be sure to use the transmission fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11. 6-23 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (24,1) How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealer service department. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here or you could get a false reading on the dipstick. Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage the transmission. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if checking the transmission fluid. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you have been driving: . When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F). . At high speed for quite a while. In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather. . While pulling a trailer. To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C (180°F to 200°F). Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 24 km (15 miles) when outside temperatures are above 10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third) until the engine temperature gauge moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off, but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are 10°C (50°F) or more. If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during this cold check, you must check the fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level. Checking the Fluid Level Prepare the vehicle as follows: 1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running. 2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park). 3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in P (Park). 4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. 6-24 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (25,1) Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: 1. Locate the transmission dipstick handle with this graphic which is located at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for more information on location. 2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. 3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again. 4. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area, below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched area for a hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to get an accurate reading. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place. 5. Consistency of Readings Always check the fluid level at least twice using the procedure described previously. Consistency (repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level. If readings are still inconsistent, contact your dealer. 6-25 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (26,1) How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission fluid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11. Using a funnel, add fluid down the transmission dipstick tube only after checking the transmission fluid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take much fluid, generally less than 0.5 Liter (1 Pint). Do not overfill. Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission fluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always use the automatic transmission fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11. . After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section. . When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place. Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) When to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid It is usually not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. The only reason for fluid loss is a transmission leak or overheating the transmission. If you suspect a small leak, then use the following checking procedures to check the fluid level. However, if there is a large leak, then it may be necessary to have the vehicle towed to a dealer service department and have it repaired before driving the vehicle further. Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission fluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always use the automatic transmission fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11. Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in the Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3 . Be sure to use the transmission fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11 . 6-26 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (27,1) How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage the transmission. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if checking the transmission fluid. Before checking the fluid level, prepare the vehicle as follows: 1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface. Keep the engine running. 2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park). 3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, move the shift lever back to P (Park). 4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for at least one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal. 5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel button or trip odometer reset stem until TRANS TEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC). 6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and perform the appropriate check procedure. If the TRANS TEMP reading is not within the required temperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool, or operate the vehicle until the appropriate transmission fluid temperature is reached. 6-27 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (28,1) Cold Check Procedure Use this procedure only as a reference to determine if the transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely until a hot check procedure can be made. The hot check procedure is the most accurate method to check the fluid level. Perform the hot check procedure at the first opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to check fluid level when the transmission temperature is between 27°C and 32°C (80°F and 90°F). 1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for more information. 2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick 3. and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again. 4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading. 6-28 5. If the fluid level is below the COLD check band, add only enough fluid as necessary to bring the level into the COLD band. It does not take much fluid, generally less than 0.5 Liter (1 Pint). Do not overfill. 6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the transmission reaches a normal operating temperature between 71°C to 93°C (160°F to 200°F). If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place. 7. Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (29,1) Hot Check Procedure Use this procedure to check the transmission fluid level when the transmission fluid temperature is between 71°C and 93°C (160°F and 200°F). The hot check is the most accurate method to check the fluid level. The hot check should be performed at the first opportunity in order to verify the cold check. The fluid level rises as fluid temperature increases, so it is important to ensure the transmission temperature is within range. 1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for more information. 2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick 3. and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again. 4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading. 5. Safe operating level is within the HOT cross hatch band on the dipstick. If the fluid level is not within the HOT band, and the transmission temperature is between 71°C and 93°C (160°F and 200°F), add or drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into the HOT band. If the fluid level is low, add only enough fluid to bring the level into the HOT band. It does not take much fluid, generally less than 0.5 Liter (1 Pint). Do not overfill. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place. 6. 6-29 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (30,1) Consistency of Readings Always check the fluid level at least twice using the procedure described previously. Consistency (repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level. If readings are still inconsistent, contact your dealer. Cooling System If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information. The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the correct working temperature. 6-30 5.3L Engine shown, 6.0L and 6.2L Engine similar A. Coolant Surge Tank B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap C. Engine Cooling Fan(s) Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (31,1) { WARNING: An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan. { 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. Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL® can cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could require changing sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months, whichever occurs first. 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 five years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), 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 on page 6‑36. 6-31 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (32,1) 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 vehicle's 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 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 −34°F (−37°C), outside temperature. . Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C), engine temperature. . Protects against rust and corrosion. . Will not damage aluminum parts. . Helps keep the proper engine temperature. Notice: If an improper coolant mixture is used, the engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and other parts. Notice: If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used in the vehicle's cooling system, the vehicle could be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11 for more information. 6-32 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (33,1) Checking Coolant 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, do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is done. The coolant surge tank is located in the engine compartment on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for more information on location. The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD mark. If it is not, you may have a leak in the cooling system. 6-33 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (34,1) How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank { WARNING: Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they can come out at high speed. 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 you ever have to turn the pressure cap. { WARNING: You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine. Notice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could cause the engine to overheat and be severely damaged. { WARNING: An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan. 6-34 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (35,1) If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as follows: 1. You can 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 you hear a hiss, 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. 6-35 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (36,1) 5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated. 6. Verify coolant level after engine is shut off and the coolant is cold. If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure Steps 1 through 6. Notice: 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 The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine overheating. There is a coolant temperature gauge on your vehicle's instrument panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge on page 4‑38. In addition, ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE, and a ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message comes on in the Driver Information Center (DIC) on the instrument panel. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4‑62. You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning appears, but instead get service help right away. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 8‑7. 4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine cooling fan. 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. 6-36 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (37,1) If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface. Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If they are not, do not continue to run the engine and have the vehicle serviced. Notice: Engine damage from running your engine without coolant is not covered by the vehicle warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode for information on driving to a safe place in an emergency. Notice: If the engine catches fire while driving with no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on page 6‑39 for information on driving to a safe place in an emergency. 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 steam coming from it. 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 vehicles 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. See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on page 6‑39 for information on driving to a safe place in an emergency. 6-37 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (38,1) 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 an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam can be 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 Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50. If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off. 2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and 3. to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as necessary. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped. If 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 slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the warning does not come back on, continue to drive normally. If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away. If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for three minutes while parked. If the warning is still displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section. 6-38 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (39,1) Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode If an overheated engine condition exists and the ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message is displayed, an overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine performance. This operating mode allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should be avoided. Notice: After driving in the overheated engine protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil on page 6‑17. Engine Fan Noise If the vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan, when the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed increases as the clutch more fully engages, so you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow down when additional cooling is not required and the clutch disengages. You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially disengages. If the vehicle has electric cooling fans, you may hear the fans spinning at low speed during most everyday driving. The fans may turn off if no cooling is required. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or high outside temperatures, or if you are operating the air conditioning system, the fans may change to high speed and you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and indicates that the cooling system is functioning properly. The fans will change to low speed when additional cooling is no longer required. 6-39 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (40,1) Power Steering Fluid If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information. How to Check Power Steering Fluid To check the power steering fluid: 1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for reservoir location. When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired. 6-40 cool down. 2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean. 3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. 4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it. 5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick. The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark. What to Use To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11 . Always use the proper fluid. Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid may damage the vehicle and the damages may not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always use the correct fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11. Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (41,1) Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When windshield washer fluid needs to be added, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use. Use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezing in an area where the temperature may fall below freezing. Adding Washer Fluid The vehicle has a low washer fluid message in the DIC that comes on when the washer fluid is low. The message is displayed for 15 seconds at the start of each ignition cycle. When the WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message displays, you will need to add washer fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for reservoir location. Notice: . When using concentrated washer fluid, follow the manufacturer's instructions for adding water. . Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage the washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water does not clean as well as washer fluid. Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if it is completely full. . Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in the windshield washer. It can damage the windshield washer system and paint. 6-41 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (42,1) Brakes Brake Fluid The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for the location of the reservoir. There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down: The brake fluid level goes down because of normal brake lining wear. When new linings are installed, the fluid level goes back up. . A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well. 6-42 Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is added when the linings are worn, there will be too much fluid when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system. { WARNING: If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You or others could be burned, and the vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid” in this section. When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake warning light comes on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 4‑36. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check the brake fluid. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3 . Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (43,1) Checking Brake Fluid Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16. Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir. The fluid level should be above MIN. If it is not, have the brake hydraulic system checked to see if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the MAX mark. What to Add Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑11 . { WARNING: With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic system, the brakes might not work well. This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid. Notice: . Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake hydraulic system parts. For example, just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid. If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately. See Washing Your Vehicle on page 6‑111. 6-43 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (44,1) Brake Wear This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying the brake pedal firmly. { WARNING: The brake wear warning sound means that soon the brakes will not work well. That could lead to a crash. When the brake wear warning sound is heard, have the vehicle serviced. Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in costly brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes. Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque specifications in Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑125. Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required. Brake Adjustment Every brake stop, the disc brakes adjust for wear. 6-44 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (45,1) Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts. When parts of the braking system are replaced — for example, when the brake linings wear down and new ones are installed — be sure to get new approved replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance between the front and rear brakes can change — for the worse. The braking performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are installed. Battery If the vehicle is a Two‐mode Hybrid, see the Two‐mode Hybrid manual for more information. Refer to the replacement number on the original battery label when a new battery is needed. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for battery location. { DANGER: Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Vehicle Storage { WARNING: Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you are not careful. See Jump Starting on page 6‑46 for tips on working around a battery without getting hurt. Infrequent Usage: Remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery to keep the battery from running down. Extended Storage: Remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery or use a battery trickle charger. 6-45 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (46,1) Jump Starting If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information. If the vehicle's battery (or batteries) has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely. { WARNING: Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because: They contain acid that can burn you. They contain gas that can explode or ignite. They contain enough electricity to burn you. If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things can hurt you. Notice: Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to the vehicle that would not be covered by the warranty. Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it will not work, and it could damage the vehicle. 1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system. Notice: If the other vehicle's system is not a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle. 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you do not want. You would not be able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems. To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in the jump start procedure. Put the automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission in N (Neutral) before setting the parking brake. If the vehicle has a four-wheel-drive transfer case with a N (Neutral) position, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear, not in N (Neutral). 6-46 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (47,1) Notice: If you leave the radio or other accessories on during the jump starting procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty. Always turn off the radio and other accessories when jump starting the vehicle. 3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off the radio and all the lamps that are not needed. This avoids sparks and helps save both batteries. And it could save the radio! 4. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on that vehicle. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal. You should always use these remote terminals instead of the terminals on the battery. If the vehicle has a remote positive (+) terminal, it is located under a red plastic cover at the positive battery post. To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, open the red plastic cover. The remote negative (−) terminal is a stud located on the right front of the engine, where the negative battery cable attaches. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑16 for more information on the location of the remote positive (+) and remote negative (−) terminals. 6-47 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (48,1) { WARNING: WARNING: (Continued) An electric fan can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan. { WARNING: Using an open flame near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if you need more light. (Continued) Be sure the battery has enough water. You do not need to add water to the battery installed in your new vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take care of that first. If you do not, explosive gas could be present. Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it in your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with water and get medical help immediately. 6-48 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (49,1) { WARNING: Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running. 5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged too. Before you connect the cables, here are some basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you will get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on the dead battery because this can cause sparks. 6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. 7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. 8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to the remote negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead battery. 6-49 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (50,1) 9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to the remote negative (−) terminal, on the vehicle with the dead battery. 10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while. 11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs service. Notice: If the jumper cables are connected or removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Always connect and remove the jumper cables in the correct order, making sure that the cables do not touch each other or other metal. 6-50 Jumper Cable Removal A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (−) Terminal B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote Negative (−) Terminals C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (51,1) To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles do the following: 1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle that had the bad battery. 2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle. 5. Return the remote positive (+) terminal cover, if the vehicle has one, to its original position. Rear Axle When to Check Lubricant It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle fluid unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem. Have it inspected and repaired. All axle assemblies are filled by volume of fluid during production. They are not filled to reach a certain level. When checking the fluid level on any axle, variations in the readings can be caused by factory fill differences between the minimum and the maximum fluid volume. Also, if a vehicle has just been driven before checking the fluid level, it may appear lower than normal because fluid has traveled out along the axle tubes and has not drained back to the sump area. Therefore, a reading taken five minutes after the vehicle has been driven will appear to have a lower fluid level than a vehicle that has been stationary for an hour or two. Remember that the rear axle assembly must be supported to get a true reading. 6-51 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2010 Black plate (52,1) How to Check Lubricant 1500 Series 2500 Series To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface. For all 4.8L, 5.3L 1500 series and all 6.2L all wheel drive 1500 series luxury model applications , the proper level is from 0.04 inch to 0.75 inch (1.0 mm to 19.0 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole,

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2010 Chevrolet Suburban Owners Manual