1999 GMC SIERRA oil

yellowblue
6-10
ªVORTECº 5000 and 5700 V8 Engine
ªVORTECº 5700 engine shown, locations for other engines similar. When you lift up the hood you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
C. Radiator Cap
D. Coolant Recovery Tank
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil DipstickG. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)
H. Fan
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Oil Fill
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
N. Fuse/Relay Center

yellowblue
6-11
ªVORTECº 7400 V8 Engine
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil DipstickG. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)
H. Engine Oil Fill
I. Fan
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
N. Fuse/Relay Center

yellowblue
6-13
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
Insulation:

Removal of the noise shields or any
underhood insulation.
Engine:

Removal or rendering engine speed governor
(if equipped) inoperative so as to allow engine speed
to exceed manufacturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:

Removal of fan clutch (if equipped) or rendering
clutch inoperative.

Removal of the fan shroud (if equipped).
Air Intake:

Removal of the air cleaner silencer.

Reversing the air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:

Removal of the muffler and/or resonator.

Removal of the exhaust pipes and exhaust
pipe clamps.Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªEngine Oil
(Diesel Engine)º in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring handle and is
located on the passenger's side of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

yellowblue
6-14 Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap for
the ªVORTECº 5000 and
5700 V8 engine is located
on the driver's side engine
valve cover.
The engine oil fill cap for the ªVORTECº 7400
V8 engine is located at the front of the engine.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.

yellowblue
6-15 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the ªStarburstº symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

yellowblue
6-16
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going
to be 0F (
-18C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
ªStarburstº symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off
-road frequently.

You frequently tow a trailer.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first.

yellowblue
6-17
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil.
(See the manufacturer's warnings about the use and
disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(Gasoline Engines)
Your air cleaner is located between the battery and
coolant recovery tank.

yellowblue
6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªAutomatic
Transmission Fluidº in the Diesel Supplement.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 or
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If your vehicle's GVWR is not over 8,600 and you
do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the GM service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.