Chevrolet DURAMAX DIESEL - 2011 User manual

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
2011 DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) 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 . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-15
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-8
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-12
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index ..................... i-1

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
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
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de
langue française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 22743552 A First Printing ©2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
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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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
iv Introduction
2NOTES

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Initial Drive Information
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Performance and
Maintenance
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 1-2
Diesel Particulate Filter
(Exhaust Filter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Initial Drive
Information
Transmission
Cold Operation
(Allison Transmission)
When temperatures are very cold,
the transmission will prevent certain
operations to protect against
damage. The chart 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 11‑8
and Automatic Transmission Fluid
on page 10‑11.
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
(Allison Transmission)
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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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
1-2 In Brief
Heater Performance Mode
(Allison Transmission)
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
(Allison Transmission)
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%.

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
In Brief 1-3
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.
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 10‑10.
Diesel Particulate Filter
(Exhaust 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 and looks like a catalyst.
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 (Exhaust Filter) on page 9‑10.

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
1-4 In Brief
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
REDUCED ENGINE POWER.
See Diesel Particulate Filter
(Exhaust Filter) on page 9‑10
and Engine Power Messages on
page 5‑11.
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 9‑17 and Engine Oil on
page 10‑7.

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
In Brief 1-5
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
fuelling stations or retailers may
also 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/vehicles/
diesels_fluid.html. 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 11‑8.
As the DEF tank becomes low
on fluid, warnings begin with
approximately 1600 km (1000 miles)
of remaining range. These warnings
will increase in intensity as the tank
becomes empty. Once the tank is
empty, the vehicle will be speed
limited to 89 km/h (55 mph) and
eventually to 7km/h (4 mph).
The tank should be refilled to
avoid vehicle speed limitation.
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). The vehicle will have 322 km
(200 miles) before being speed
limited to 89 km/h (55 mph). If the
vehicle continues to be driven in this
condition, it will become speed
limited to 7km/h (4 mph). See Diesel
Exhaust Fluid on page 9‑12.

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DURAMAX Diesel Engine (LML/LGH) - 2011
1-6 In Brief
2NOTES