Chevrolet B7 2001 User manual

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The 2001 Chevrolet Medium Duty B7 Chassis
Owner’s Manual
1-1 Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
2-1 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
3-1 Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
4-1 Service
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly.
5-1 Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
6-1 Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 6-5.
7-1 Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET and the CHEVROLET Emblem are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited” for GM Medium Duty Truck Division
whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road.
If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so
the new owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
Litho in U.S.A.
E
Copyright General Motors Corporation 2000
C2101 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.

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You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or
in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

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For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important for
you and your
passengers
whenever your
vehicleisdriven:
CHILD
RESTRAINT
TOP STRAP
ANCHOR
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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Model Reference
This manual contains information which covers the
B7 Chassis models as shown. Most models are
unfinished from the factory.
Medium Duty Chassis
Since B7 Chassis models delivered from the factory
are finished in a variety of ways by a number of
companies, you’ll probably find other manuals in your
finished vehicle. These manuals are put there by the
companies that have added components or equipment
to the B7 Chassis model. Read all these materials -- as
well as this manual -- carefully, to get all of the
information on your vehicle.

1- 1-1
Section 1 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
1-2 Keys
1-2 Theft
1-3 New Vehicle “Break-In”
1-4 Ignition Positions
1-4 Engine Starter Over-Crank Protection
(If Equipped)
1-4 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
1-7 Starting Your Diesel Engine
1-12 Engine Checks Before Operating
1-13 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
1-15 Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake
1-16 Two-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control
(If Equipped)
1-17 Automatic Transmission Operation
1-19 Manual Transmission
1-20 Parking
1-23 Parking Over Things That Burn
1-24 Engine Exhaust
1-24 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
1-26 Horn
1-26 Turn Signal Lever
1-27 Exterior Lamps
1-29 Instrument Panel Cluster
1-31 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

1-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate controls or even make the
vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
The square-head key is for
the ignition only.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealership removes
the plugs from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be
able to have new ones made easily using these plugs.
The body manufacturer may provide additional keys for
locks to entry and access doors, and any other locking
compartments on the vehicle. These additional keys may
not have plugs with key codes.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities, and
even commercial vehicles are no exception. Although your
vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know
that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal.
However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
Remember to remove your key and take it with you.
Always do this. When you take your key with you, your
ignition will be locked. Also remember to lock the doors.

1-3
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
D Let your engine warm up before you
operate your vehicle under load.
D Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).
D Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
D Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
D Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
D Use the lowest gear you can when you start
a loaded vehicle in motion and when going
up hills to avoid overloading the engine.
D Check and adjust engine and transmission
fluid levels often and be sure tires
are properly inflated for the load
you’re carrying.
D If you have a Caterpillar
R
diesel engine, see
the Caterpillar
R
Diesel Engine Operation
& Maintenance Manual.