2003 GMC SAVANA Owner's Manual

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-85.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly ination check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inated to the
correct tire ination pressure, make sure that the spare
tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try to rotate or
turn the tire. If it moves, use the ratchet/wheel wrench to
tighten the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-66.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-18.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmissionuid level; add if needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
Auid loss may indicate a problem. Check the
system and repair if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubrcate all hood hinges, hood prop rod pivot, fuelller
door, rear compartment hinges, latches, locks, hood
latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl and any moving seat hardware. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
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2003 - Savana OM

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-26if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-26if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
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2003 - Savana OM

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water toush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
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2003 - Savana OM

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-10.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chang, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in theoor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-30.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
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2003 - Savana OM

Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Rear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and
add if needed. SeeRear Axle on page 5-47.Auid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the axle and repair it
if needed.
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months, or at engine oil change intervals,
check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary. Auid loss could indicate a problem.
Check and have it repaired, if needed. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and
rotors for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions
result in frequent braking.
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2003 - Savana OM

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name,
part number or specication may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil
on page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22.
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242, or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052884,
in Canada 993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242, or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
BearingsWheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2,
Category GC or GC-LB
(GM Part No. U.S. 1051344,
in Canada 993037, or equivalent).
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2003 - Savana OM

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12378261,
in Canada 10953455) or equivalent
meeting GM Specication 9986115.
Transfer CaseDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
One-Piece
Propshaft Slip
Yoke Spline,
Two-Piece
Propshaft
Slip-in-Tube
SplineSpline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511) or lubricant
meeting requirements of
GM 9985830.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 10953014, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with
Teon, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12371287,
in Canada 10953437, or equivalent).
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2003 - Savana OM

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and
any additional information from“Owner Checks and Services”or“Periodic Maintenance”on the following record
pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
ReadingServiced ByMaintenance Record
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2003 - Savana OM