Chevrolet T-Series, Owner'S Manual

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The charging system light should come on
when the ignition key is turned to ON or START
and should go out when the engine is running
above idle. If the light does not go out or comes
back on during normal engine operation, have
the charging system checked right away. (This
light tells you if the generator is not charging; it
does not reflect the condition of the battery.)
See
Charging System Light on page 105 for
more information.
•
The voltmeter charge indicator gage tells you
the condition of your battery’s charge. The gage
should be in the center area during engine
operation. The red area on the left indicates an
undercharge condition; the red area on the right
indicates an overcharge. If the gage is in either
red area, have the battery and charging system
checked right away. See
Voltmeter Gage on
page 105 for more information.
Notice: Do not allow the engine to operate at
low idle for more than five minutes. This
can cause low engine operating temperatures
which can affect engine operation and
reduce engine life. Engine idle speed should
be increased to 1200 rpm whenever extended
idle is required. Once started, the engine
should be placed under load to allow the
engine coolant temperature to reach 150°F
(66°C) before shutting off the engine.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (–18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You will get
easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours
prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not
required. Your vehicle may also have an internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (
−
18°)
as noted on the cord.
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