Chevrolet 4500 HD 2023 Manual page 329

328 Service and Maintenance
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Owner Safety and Routine Maintenance
Listed below are vehicle checks which should
be made periodically by either the owner or
a qualified technician to ensure proper
performance and safety of your vehicle.
Take any problems promptly to a technician
for service advice.
For your safety and that of others, any of
the safety-related components that may
have been damaged in a crash should be
checked and necessary repairs performed
before operating your vehicle.
At the minimum, these routine checks
should be made every 6 months or
16,000 km (10,000 miles), whichever comes
first. Whenever repairs are necessary, have
them completed before operating the
vehicle.
A: Parking Brake : Park on a fairly steep hill
and hold the vehicle with the parking brake
only. This checks holding ability.
Before checking item (B) below, be sure to
have enough room around the vehicle. Then
firmly apply both the parking brake see
Parking Brake 0 182 and the regular brakes.
Do not use the accelerator pedal. If the
engine starts, be ready to turn off the
engine control switch at once. Take these
precautions because the vehicle could move
without warning and possibly cause injury
or property damage.
B: Starter Safety Switch : Check by trying to
start the engine in each gear. The starter
should crank only at selector position "P"
or "N".
C: Transmission Shift Indicator : Check that
the indicator points to the gear chosen.
D: Steering : Be alert for any changes in
steering action. An inspection or service is
needed when: the steering wheel is harder
to turn or has too much free play, or when
there are strange sounds when turning or
parking.
E: Wheel Alignment, Balance, and Tires :
Check tires for abnormal wear or damage.
Also, check for damaged wheels. A pull right
or left on a straight and level road may
show the need for a wheel alignment.
A vibration of the steering wheel or seat at
normal highway speeds may mean a wheel
balancing is needed. Check tire pressure
when the tires are "cold," at least monthly,
and whenever the vehicle is serviced.
Check the pressure more often if daily
checks show it's needed. (Refer to
"Recommended Daily (Pre-operation)
Inspections" under Owner Checks and
Services 0 322). Change tire pressure as
needed when changing loads.
F: Brakes : Be alert to illumination of the
brake system warning light or brake low
vacuum warning light (4500HD, 4500XD
models) or the tone alarm, or changes in
braking action, such as repeated pulling to
one side, unusual sounds when braking,
increased brake pedal travel or harder pedal.
The front and rear brakes are attached to an
auto adjuster mechanism. If there are no
defects, as the pedal travel is properly
maintained, adjustments are not necessary.
Check regularly that the brake fluid reservoir
(left-hand side of the instrument panel) is
properly filled and check for fluid leaks. Any
of these conditions could indicate the need
for brake system inspection and/or service.
G: Exhaust System : Be alert for any
changes in the sound of the exhaust system
or any smell of fumes. These are signs the
system may be leaking. Have it checked