2003 GMC SIERRA DENALI transmission fluid

Automatic Transmission Fluid
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 is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page
6-4.
service.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership 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
part
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. 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:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
5-2
1

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F
(1 OOC). If it's colder than 50°F (lO°C), drive the
vehicle
in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature
gage moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the engine
off, but this
is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for
five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F (1 0°C) or
more.
If it's colder than 50°F (1 OOC), you may have to idle
the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during this
cold check, you
must check the fluid hot before adding
fluid. Checking the fluid hot will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK
(P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then, without
shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
The red transmission dipstick handle is located at the
rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger's
side. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for further information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
5-22

~~ 3. Check
both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the
COLD area,
below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in
the HOT area or cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid
to use. See Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page
6-16.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while
it is hot.
(A cold check is used only as a reference.)
If the fluid level is
low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfi//.
Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@
111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@
111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
@ After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check”.
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place.
5-23

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-73
for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil
and filter change.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift
linkage and parking brake cable guides. Ball joints
should not be lubricated unless their temperature is
10°F (-12°C) or higher or they could be damaged.
After the services are performed, record the date,
odometer reading and who performed the service on the
maintenance record pages in Part
E of this schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary. An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62
for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
6-6

22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
CI Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Replace fuel filter. An Emission Control Service. (See
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
footnote
t.)
Control Service.
Ll Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
s
for leaking.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
ea1 S
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary. An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
CI Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(166
000 km).
page 5-62
for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
6-7

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
0 Replace fuel filter. An Emission Control Service. (See
Footnote
t.)
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62
for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
c[I Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Service.
0 Change automatic
transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmission fluid, change
both the fluid and filter.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-24 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
6-9

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 5-88.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly inflation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inflated to
the correct tire inflation 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 wheel
wrenchhatchet to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat
Tire on page 5-69.
Weatherstrip
Silicone grease on
longer, seal better,
Lubrication
weatherstrips will make them last
and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very -cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
lubricants on page
6- 16.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-27. A fluid 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
specified in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, tailgate hinge, tailgate linkage, tailgate handle
pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks and folding
seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to use. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment.
6-1 1

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake
System
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Power Steering
System
~~
Automatic
Transmission Fluid/Lubricant
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
Daae
5- 13.
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on
page
5-24.
Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
GM Optikleen Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No.
U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid. Usage
FluWLubricant
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
Key Lock
Canada 10953474. or eauivalent). Cylinders (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Floor Shift
Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication Lubriplate
Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No.
US. 12346293, in Canada
' 992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl #2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl #2,
Cateaow LB or GC-LB.
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S.
Front Axle 12378261, in Canada 10953455) or
equivalent meeting GM Specification
99861 15.
Synthetic Axle Lubricant; use only
Rear Axle
88901362).
Do not add friction
(Steerable) GM Part
No. 12378557
(in Canada
modifier.
Transfer Case
I Fluid.
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985,
in Canada Rear Driveline
meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Center Spline 88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
CateqorV LB or GC-LB.
6-1 6