Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

Service Bulletin

Date: July, 2024

INFORMATION
Subject:

Brand:

Information on Manual Regeneration Displayed on Drivers Information
Center (DIC)

Model:

from

to

2018

2018

Silverado 4500HD/
5500HD/6500HD

2019

2025

Sierra

2018

2018

Sierra 2500/3500

2019

2025

Silverado
Chevrolet

GMC

Model Year:

VIN:
from

Engine:

Transmission:

to

Silverado 2500/3500
L5P, L5D

Involved Region or Country

North America, Middle East, Israel, Palestine

Condition

Some customers may comment that messages on the Drivers Information Center (DIC)
are related to manual regeneration operation.

Additional Options (RPOs)

Manual regeneration (FPF)
Emergency vehicle calibration (ANM)

Cause

This condition may be caused by a vehicle with a DPF, requiring periodic regenerations.
- Due to the usage requirements of some fleet vehicles and emergency vehicles, it may
be difficult for the vehicle to perform an automatic regeneration.

Correction

The use of the Manual Regeneration function when prompted or on a regular basis will
reduce the chance of a vehicle having regeneration issues. This communication
describes how this function works.

Information
Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict
between the procedures set forth in this bulletin
and the laws that apply to your dealership, you
must follow those applicable laws.
Messages Displayed on DIC
• First Level - Message

Copyright 2024 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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July, 2024

5654544

At approximately 90% soot load in the DPF, one of the
messages in the graphic above will be displayed on the
DIC.
These messages indicate that Manual Regeneration is
available. No action is required; however, the operator
may choose to perform a manual regeneration. See
performing a manual regeneration below. If the
message is dismissed and the vehicle has not
performed a regeneration, this message will appear
again on the next key on cycle.
• Second Level - No Message
If the manual regeneration option was not performed
and the soot level climbs to 100%. there will be no
additional DIC message. However, the vehicle will try to
start an automatic regeneration. Once all conditions are
met for running the regeneration, the vehicle will start
the process. If this regeneration is interrupted or the
vehicle is turned off, on the next key cycle, the vehicle
will try to continue the regeneration once conditions
again become right. This will continue until the regeneration is complete.
• Third Level - Message

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

5654545

If the soot level climbs to a level near 110 - 115% in the
DPF while the vehicle is moving and the vehicle is still
not able to start an automatic regeneration, the
message in the graphic above will display.
If the message is displayed, continue driving safely at a
steady speed as close to the posted speed limit as
possible until the message turns off. This can take up
to 30 minutes.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

July, 2024

Page 3

5654703

If the soot level climbs to a level near 130% in the DPF
while the vehicle is moving and the vehicle is still not
able to start a regeneration, the message in the graphic
above is displayed.

5654544

If the vehicle is shifted to park, one of the messages in
the graphic above will appear.
These messages indicate that Manual Regeneration is
available.
⇒

Refer to Performing a Manual Regeneration below.

• Fourth Level - Message

If the vehicle is placed into park, the above message
will not change and there will not be an opportunity to
perform a manual regeneration. The vehicle must be
driven to initiate an automatic regeneration. Continue
driving safely at a steady speed as close to the posted
speed limit as possible, until the message turns off.
This can take up to 30 minutes.
• Fifth Level - Message
When the soot level in the DPF reaches about 140%,
the vehicle will no longer attempt to perform a regeneration. The vehicle is put into reduced power and the
SES light is illuminated to give the driver as much
mileage as possible until the filter is completely
plugged. If the vehicle is driven in reduced power long
enough, the filter can become so plugged that the
engine will not be able to run anymore.
Requirements for Performing a Manual
Regeneration:
Warning: During DPF self-cleaning or during
extended idling in P (Park), the exhaust system and
exhaust gases are very hot. Things that burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and
ignite. You or others could be burned. Do not park,
or idle for an extended period of time, near or over
papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can
burn. Keep the exhaust area clear of material that
could ignite or burn.
Caution: Extended idle should be avoided because the
DPF system is not capable of self-cleaning at idle.
During extended idle operation, monitor the instrument

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July, 2024

cluster telltale lights and Driver Information Center for
messages and take appropriate indicated action.
Continued idling with the warning light/message on
could cause irreversible damage to the DPF requiring
repair and possible replacement that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Before starting the manual regeneration, make sure all
of the following safety conditions are met:

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

Performing a Manual Regeneration:

• The vehicle is parked on level ground, away from
any flammable materials.
• The vehicle is parked outdoors, away from any
walls or buildings.
• The vehicle is at least 3 m (10 ft) from any obstructions or materials that may combust or melt.
• The shift lever is in P (Park).
• The fuel tank is at least one-eighth full.
• All fluids are at the proper level.
• No diagnostic trouble codes have been set, and
the malfunction indicator lamp is not on.
• The engine coolant temperature is above 71 °C
(160 °F).
Note: If your truck is equipped with RPO PTO see
www.gmupfitter.com Bulletin 120 for additional detail.
After making sure all the safety conditions have been
met, press the trip odometer reset stem or √ on the
steering wheel control for at least one second to select
‘Start’ on the DIC.
5654593

If the vehicle is being driven and the message in the
graphic above is displayed, the operator may choose to
stop the vehicle to perform a manual regeneration.
⇒

Please be sure to note and locate the vehicle in
accordance with the warning and safety conditions
listed above.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

July, 2024

Page 5

After making sure all the safety conditions have been
met, press the trip odometer reset stem or the
CheckMark on the steering wheel control for at least
one second to select Start on the DIC. The DIC will
display in the graphic above.
Follow the instructions in the DIC messages. Select
Yes or Accept to acknowledge that all the safety conditions have been met and to activate regeneration.
If the DIC returns to the previous screen, then one or
more of the necessary operating conditions has not
been met. If you cannot determine which condition has
not been met, refer to www.gmupfitter.com to contact
the GM Upfitter Integration Group for assistance.

5654712

When shifting to park, scroll through the DIC pages to
find the Exhaust Cleaning menu. Depending on
whether the vehicle has a base or up level cluster, it
may be under the Settings menu. The DIC will display a
reference to refer to the Owners Manual as shown in
the graphic above.

5654697

If all requirements for the manual regeneration are met,
the DIC will display to Press and Hold Exhaust Brake
Switch to Begin as shown in the graphic above.
Hold the exhaust brake switch on the center stack
below the climate controls for more than three seconds,
and then release it, to begin the regeneration process.
If the EXHAUST BRAKE ON message displays, then
the switch was released too soon. Press it again to turn
off the exhaust brake, then try again when the DIC
message prompts.
5654762

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July, 2024

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

5654694

5654688

When manual regeneration begins, the engine speed
increases, the engine cooling fan sound increases and
the message in the graphic above will be display.

For vehicles equipped with FPF and NOT ANM, the
message in the graphic above will be display when the
regeneration process is finished.

Warning: Do not leave the vehicle unattended
during the Manual Regeneration.
Cleaning could take up to 30 minutes. Upon
completion, the engine will return to normal idle, but
exhaust components will remain hot for
several minutes. Do not move the vehicle until the
exhaust has had time to cool. Manual regeneration can
be canceled at any time by pressing the brake pedal or
turning the engine off. Unusual noises may be heard if
regeneration is interrupted.

The message will remain when cleaning is not
necessary.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

July, 2024

Page 7

It may be useful to develop a schedule to perform a
manual regeneration at a certain interval to reduce the
possibility of having a regeneration issue while the
vehicle is in use. If the vehicle is used in roughly the
same conditions each day, it may be useful to use the
table below to collect data to be able to develop an
interval for performing manual regenerations. Record
the information below whenever the First level
message (90% soot load) is displayed.
Date

Mileage

Total Engine
Hours

Comments
on the drive
(Extra idle
time, Drove
on long trip,
…)

Parts Information
No parts are required for this repair.

5654666

For vehicles equipped with FPF AND ANM, the
message in the graphic above will be display.
If a manual regen was just performed, the presence of
this message is not an indication that the vehicle needs
another regeneration. The DPF is clean. This is
displayed because manual regeneration can only be
initiated if the above message is displayed. Since a
vehicle with ANM is permitted to perform a regeneration at any soot level in the DPF, once the regeneration is complete, the above message needs to be
displayed. Provided that the engine idled up, the
exhaust sound changed and/or there was a different
smell from the exhaust, be assured that there is a very
low soot level in the DPF when this message
reappears.
Version

6

Modified

Released October 07, 2020
Revised January 05, 2021 - Added 2021 to Model Year.
Revised January 7, 2022 - Added 2022 to Model Year.
Revised September 12, 2022 - Added 2023 to Model Year and Important Statement.
Revised January 25, 2023 - Added 4500HD/5500HD, 6500HD and RPO L5D.
Revised July 16, 2024 - Added 2024 and 2025 to Model Year.

Additional Keywords: DPF, DEF, Diesel Particulate
Filter, Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Page 8

July, 2024

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203

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