Chevrolet 2013 Duramax Diesel User manual

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
2013 Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel
Supplement M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-1
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-14
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 9-10
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-43
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Recommended Fluids . . . . . . . 11-11
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index ..................... i-1

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/27/12
ii Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
GMC, the CHEVROLET and GMC
Truck Emblems, SILVERADO,
SIERRA, DENALI, EXPRESS,
SAVANA, and Duramax are
trademarks and/or service marks of
General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited”for GMC
and Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual contains information
that pertains to the operation of your
diesel engine. It also contains your
Diesel Maintenance Schedule. The
sections in this manual correspond
to the sections in your owner
manual. This manual, along with
your owner manual, will assist you
in the proper use and maintenance
of your vehicle.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 22974887 B Second Printing ©2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
Introduction iii
Using this Supplement
This supplement contains
information specific to the unique
components of the vehicle. It does
not explain everything you need to
know about the vehicle. Read this
supplement along with the owner
manual to learn about the vehicle's
features and controls.
Index
A good place to look for what you
need is the Index in back of this
supplement. It is an alphabetical list
of what is in the supplement, and
the page number where you will
find it.

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
iv Introduction
2NOTES

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Initial Drive Information
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Performance and Maintenance
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 1-2
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 1-3
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Initial Drive
Information
Transmission
Cold Operation
When temperatures are very cold,
the transmission will prevent certain
operations to protect against
damage. The information below
shows shift range availability based
on transmission oil temperature:
.All shift ranges available at
−25°C (−13°F) or above.
.2 (Second) and 3 (Third) shift
ranges only at −35°C (−31°F) to
−25°C (−13°F).
.2 (Second) shift range only at
−35°C (−31°F) or lower.
Torque converter clutch operation
will also be prevented when air or
transmission oil temperatures are
below certain levels.
For areas where ambient
temperatures are below −40°C
(−40°F), use synthetic transmission
fluid approved to Allison
Transmission
®
specification
TES-295. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑11
and Automatic Transmission Fluid
on page 10‑10.
Adaptive Shift Controls
The shift quality of a new vehicle
may not be ideal because the
Adaptive Shift Control process may
not have determined the best
settings for a particular shift or
condition. Shift quality will improve
with continued driving.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode aids in vehicle
acceleration on slippery road
surfaces such as ice or snow. By
selecting 2 (Second) using Range
Selection Mode while at a stop, the
transmission will limit torque to the
drive wheels to prevent slippage.

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
1-2 In Brief
Heater Performance Mode
When cold weather conditions are
detected, the transmission raises
part throttle upshift points after the
1 (First) to 2 (Second) upshift to
increase engine speed. This feature
shortens engine and cab warm up
times.
When the transmission is in this
mode, upshifts may be delayed.
This is normal and does not indicate
an operational problem.
Four Wheel Drive
When operating in 4 ↓
(Four-Wheel-Drive Low), there is a
very deep gear reduction. The
resulting shifts will feel exaggerated.
Performance and
Maintenance
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and, on most vehicles, displays a
DIC message when it is necessary
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
only following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
To reset the Engine Oil Life System
on van models:
1. Display the OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET
button on the DIC for more than
five seconds. The oil life will
change to 100%.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System
on most pickup models:
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.
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%.
On all models, 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.

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
In Brief 1-3
3. Display the OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the DIC. If the
display shows 100%, the system
is reset.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑9.
Diesel Particulate Filter
The Duramax engine is equipped
with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
that, by design, will filter or trap
particulates. The DPF is located
under the vehicle in the exhaust
system.
Depending on a number of factors
monitored by the engine computer,
the DPF will need to be cleaned of
accumulated solids. When a
cleaning is needed, the engine
computer will initiate a cleaning
action by warming the exhaust gas
temperature. This feature has been
designed to operate automatically,
with limited operator involvement or
awareness.
Cleaning the DPF (Exhaust
Filter)
While the DPF cleaning is
automatically controlled by the
engine computer, the vehicle will
need to operate continuously for
approximately 30 minutes and at
speeds greater than 48 km/h
(30 mph) to clean the DPF
effectively. If the vehicle is returned
to idle during the cleaning process,
the driver may notice a slightly
different sound or a slightly elevated
engine idle speed. This is normal.
No action is required on the part of
the driver during a regular DPF
cleaning. See Diesel Particulate
Filter on page 9‑10.
Special DPF Driver Messages
If the vehicle is used for numerous
short trips or extended slow-speed
operation, the engine computer may
not be able to adequately heat up
the exhaust system to clean the
DPF effectively. The engine
computer has been designed to
continuously monitor the condition
of the DPF. When the engine
computer detects that the DPF is
nearly full of particulates and that
the vehicle is not being operated in
a manner that would allow effective
automatic DPF cleaning, the Driver
Information Center will display the
message CLEANING EXHAUST
FILTER KEEP DRIVING UNTIL
MESSAGE IS CLEARED.
If the vehicle continues to be driven
in a manner that prevents effective
DPF cleaning, the DPF will become
plugged with particulates. If this
occurs, the engine computer will
turn on the service engine soon light
in the instrument cluster and the
DIC will display the message
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED.
See Diesel Particulate Filter on
page 9‑10 and Engine Power
Messages on page 5‑10.

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1-4 In Brief
Fuel
Use Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
Fuel (ULSD)
Use Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
(ULSD) only. The emission control
hardware used on the vehicle may
be damaged by using fuel with high
sulfur levels. Use only fuel that is
dispensed from pumps bearing the
ULSD label.
Do Not Use Low Sulfur Diesel
Fuel (LSD)
Do not use fuel that is dispensed
from pumps bearing the LSD label.
Do Not Use Non-Highway Fuel
Fuel labeled as off road or
non-highway is typically very high in
sulfur content and will damage the
emission control system.
Non-highway fuel is not intended for
use in on-highway vehicles and
does not have the fuel properties
needed by the DPF-equipped
Duramax Diesel.
In addition:
.Use the correct engine oil.
.Do not add gasoline to
diesel fuel.
.Do not modify the induction or
exhaust systems.
See Fuel for Diesel Engines on
page 9‑19 and Engine Oil on
page 10‑6.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is used
with diesel engines to reduce the
amount of regulated emissions
produced. The DEF system must be
maintained for the vehicle to run
properly.
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. For more
information on locating DEF see
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/
def/. See “Customer Assistance
Offices”in the owner manual for
phone numbers to assist you in
contacting a GM dealer. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑11.
As the DEF tank becomes low on
fluid, warnings begin with
approximately
1600 km (1,000 miles) of remaining
range. These warnings will increase
in intensity as the tank becomes
empty. Once the tank is empty, the
vehicle speed will be limited. If there
is an issue with the quality of the
fluid or the exhaust fluid system,
warnings will be displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Diesel Exhaust Fluid on
page 9‑12.

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Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . 5-5
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . 5-6
Wait-to-Start Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Engine Cooling System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-10
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-10
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-10
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Diesel Particulate Filter
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-12
Starting the Vehicle
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-13
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . 5-13
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-14

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Chevrolet/GMC DURAMAX Diesel Supplement - 2013 - crc - 8/10/12
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Instrument Cluster
English Pickup Shown, Metric Similar