Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD/5500HD/6500HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S.-12102101) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
222
Driving and Operating
In certain cold conditions, it is
possible to find some frozen DEF in
the DEF fill pipe opening. If this
condition prevents the filling of a
DEF tank, place the vehicle in a
warm garage overnight.
Exhaust Fluid Low
As the DEF level drops, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display
warnings. DEF level status is
available on the DIC under the
vehicle Information button. See
“
Exhaust Fluid Level
”
in
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level)
or
.
To avoid vehicle speed limitations,
fill the DEF tank at the first
opportunity after a low fluid level
warning. If DEF is added before the
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW message appears, it may take
several km/mi for the DIC message
to update.
If vehicle speed has been limited
and DEF has been added, it may
take up to 30 seconds after engine
start with the vehicle stopped for the
refill message to clear. If the vehicle
is driven before the DIC message
clears, vehicle speed will still be
limited. If the DIC message clears
while driving, the speed limitation
will be removed gradually.
If DEF is added under freezing
conditions, additional time may be
required to remove speed
limitations, and it may require less
fluid to fill the DEF tank.
Based on driving conditions and
vehicle configuration, the amount
needed to fill the tank will vary. As
the fluid level nears empty, these
messages will appear every time
the vehicle is started.
If these warnings are ignored and
the DEF tank becomes empty, the
DIC will indicate the action needed
and distance until vehicle speed is
limited.
The speed limitation will occur in a
series of steps, with the final speed
limitation being 8 km/h (5 mph)
accompanied by a flashing warning
light and chimes. It is recommended
to fully fill the DEF tank, but at least
7.6 L (2 gal) of DEF must be added
to release the vehicle from the
speed limitation. See
,
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Light
, and
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor
Use only DEF that is GM approved,
or fluid containing the API certified
or ISO 22241 label.
DEF has an expiration date. If the
system detects poor quality,
or contaminated or diluted DEF, the
DIC will display EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW and will show the
distance until vehicle speed is
limited.
The speed limitation will occur in a
series of steps, with the final speed
limitation being 8 km/h (5 mph)
accompanied by a flashing warning
light and chimes.
Adding fresh DEF to the system
may resolve the problem, depending
on several factors. If the message
