Duramax Diesel. Manual - part 10

Driving and Operating

Caution

Permanent damage can occur to
the DPF or related components if
the required Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel (15 ppm sulfur maximum)
or low ash CJ-4 engine oil is not
used. This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Under certain driving conditions,
such as stop-and-go traffic, the filter
cannot clean itself. A message
comes on when the DPF is dirty and
needs to perform a self cleaning.
See Diesel Particulate Filter
Messages 0 23.

For the filter to clean itself, the
vehicle must be driven above
50 km/h (30 mph) until the message
goes off. This will take about
30 minutes. See Diesel Particulate
Filter Messages 0 23.

{

Warning

During DPF self cleaning or
during extended idling in P (Park),
the exhaust system and exhaust
gases are very hot. Things that
burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite.
You or others could be burned.
Do not park, or idle for an
extended period of time, near or
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Keep the exhaust area clear of
material that could ignite or burn.
See Parking over Things That
Burn 0 38 for more information.

Caution

Extended idle should be avoided
because the DPF system is not
capable of self cleaning at idle.
During extended idle operation,
monitor the instrument cluster
telltale lights and Driver

(Continued)

Caution (Continued)

Information Center for messages
and take appropriate indicated
action. Continued idling with the
warning light/message on could
cause irreversible damage to the
DPF requiring repair and possible
replacement that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

You will also notice a change in the
exhaust sound and engine idle
speed. This is normal. See Vehicle
Messages 0 22.

If you continue to drive with the DPF
warning message on and the
exhaust filter is not cleaned as
required, the malfunction indicator
lamp and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message will come on
and dealer service is necessary.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0 18 and
Engine Power Messages 0 22.

Driving and Operating

Vehicles with the DPF have specific
fuel and engine oil requirements.
See What Fuel to Use in the U.S.
0 49 and Engine Oil 0 93.

Extended idling in P (Park) can
cause exhaust parts and gases to
become very hot. Keep the exhaust
area clear of material that could
ignite or burn. See Parking over
Things That Burn 0 38.

If equipped with Power Take-Off
(PTO), monitor the instrument
cluster for lights related to the DPF.

See Accessories and Modifications
0 86 for important information if you
are considering adding accessories
or modifying the vehicle.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid

{

Warning

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is
corrosive. Do not allow it to come
in contact with your skin, eyes,
or the finished surfaces of the
vehicle. If exposed, it may cause
skin and eye irritation. Wear skin
and eye protection when
handling. Inhalation may cause
irritation to the upper respiratory
tract. For more safety and storage
information, see the label of the
Diesel Exhaust Fluid container.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is used
with diesel engines to reduce the
amount of regulated emissions
produced. The fluid level in the DEF
tank must be maintained for the
vehicle to run properly. DEF is not a
fuel additive. DEF should not be
mixed with or added to diesel fuel.
DEF freezes when exposed to
temperatures below −11 °C (12 °
F).For DEF tank capacity see
Capacities and Specifications 0 134.

Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid

DEF can be purchased at a
Chevrolet or GMC dealer. It can
also be purchased at authorized
vehicle and truck dealerships.
Additionally, some diesel truck
fueling stations or retailers may
have DEF for purchase. For
vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar can help to
locate a DEF retailer. See
“Customer Assistance Offices” in
the owner manual for phone
numbers to assist in contacting a
GM dealer. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0 129.

Filling the DEF Tank

Caution

Use only DEF that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the
API certified or ISO 22241 label.
The use of other fluids could
damage the system, requiring
costly repairs that will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Driving and Operating

When adding fluid, it is
recommended to fill the DEF tank.
For DEF tank capacity see
Capacities and Specifications 0 134.

Do not overfill the DEF tank. When
fluid reaches the top of the fill pipe,
stop filling.

If you spill DEF on the vehicle while
filling the tank, rinse the area with
water and wipe the surface with a
damp cloth.

DEF Fill – Van Model Shown,

4-Cylinder Pickups Similar

For vans and 4-cylinder pickups, the
DEF fill is behind the fuel fill door.
The DEF cap is blue, and the diesel
cap is green.

The fill tube location for chassis cab
and cutaway vans finished by an
upfitter will vary. Check the upfitter
manual.

DEF Fill – 8-Cylinder Pickups

For 8-cylinder pickups, the DEF fill
is under the hood, on the passenger
side, at the back of the engine
compartment. The DEF cap is blue.

In certain cold conditions, it is
possible to find some frozen DEF in
the DEF fill pipe opening. If this
condition prevents the filling of a
DEF tank, place the vehicle in a
warm garage overnight.

Exhaust Fluid Low

A full DEF tank will last for several
thousand kilometers (miles),
depending on vehicle usage.

Driving and Operating

As the DEF level drops, warnings
will automatically be displayed in the
DIC. DEF level status is available
on the DIC under the vehicle
Information button. See “Exhaust
Fluid Level” in Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0 21.

To avoid vehicle speed limitations,
the DEF tank should be refilled at
the first opportunity after a low
warning indication. If DEF is added
before the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message
appears, it may take several km/mi
for the DIC message to update.

If the vehicle speed has been
limited and DEF has been added, it
may take up to 30 seconds after
engine start with the vehicle
stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message to
clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to
the DIC message clearing, the
vehicle speed will still be limited.
If the DIC message clears while
driving, the speed limitation will be
removed gradually.

If DEF is added under freezing
conditions, additional time may be
required to remove speed limitations
and may require less fluid to fill the
DEF tank.

The following actions describe
strategies required by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the California Air
Resource Board (CARB). The DEF
messages relate to these strategies.

The EXHAUST FLUID RANGE
message first displays at
approximately 1 600 km (1,000 mi).
This message appears again at
approximately 500 km (300 mi) of
remaining range before the exhaust
fluid tank becomes empty.

Based on driving conditions the
amount needed to fill the tank
will vary.

See the following list for
approximate volume required to fill
the DEF tank when 1 600 km
(1,000 mi) warning appears:
.

Colorado/Canyon - 4-cylinder -
16.5 L (4.5 gal)

Silverado/Sierra/Sierra Denali -
8-cylinder - 14.5 L (3.8 gal)

Express/Savana - 4-cylinder -
14.5 L (3.8 gal)

Below 500 km (300 mi) of range
remaining, these messages will
appear every time the vehicle is
started.

If these warnings are ignored and
the DEF tank becomes empty, the
DIC message displays:
.

For vans and 4-cylinder pickups,
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - 644 KM (400 MI)
UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED.

For 8-cylinder pickups,
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - 805 KM (500 MI)
UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED.

For emergency pickups with
RPO ANM, EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW -
65 534 KM (40,721 MI) UNTIL
158 KM/H (98 MPH) MAX
SPEED.

Content .. 8 9 10 11 ..