
•If you spill brakefluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintfinish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakefluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedalfirmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes arefirst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-15.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Notice:If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all the lamps that aren’t needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations of the other vehicle.
Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump
starting terminal and a remote negative (−) jump
starting terminal. You should always use these
remote terminals instead of the terminals on the
battery.
The remote positive (+) terminal is located behind a
red plastic cover near the engine accessory drive
bracket. To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal,
open the red plastic cover.
The remote negative (−) terminal is located on the
engine drive bracket on all V8 and diesel engines,
and on the thermostat housing on the 8.1L
engine. On V8 engines it is marked″GND.″
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don’t need to add water to the ACDelco
®
battery installed in your new vehicle. But if a
battery hasfiller caps, be sure the right
amount offluid is there. If it is low, add water
to take care of thatfirst. If you don’t, explosive
gas could be present.
Batteryfluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin,flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
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All-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. However, there are two additional systems that
need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeePart C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections on page 6-14.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of thefiller plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of thefiller plug hole.
Use care not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
(A) Fill Plug (B) Drain Plug
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2003 - Sierra Denali

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off. See“Changing a Flat
Tire”in the Index.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining. Some
commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear
indicators.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
•You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
•You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
•The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
•The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
•The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Fuses Usage
IGN 1 Ignition Relay
PCM 1 Powertrain Control Module
ETC/ECMElectronic Throttle Control,
Electronic Brake Controller
IGN EInstrument Panel Cluster, Air
Conditioning Relay, Turn
Signal/Hazard Switch, Starter
Relay
RTD Ride Control
TRL B/U Backup Lamps Trailer Wiring
PCM BPowertrain Control Module,
Fuel Pump
F/PMP Fuel Pump (Relay)
B/U LPBack-up Lamps, Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock
Control System
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
HDLP-HI Headlamp High Beam Relay
PRIME Not Used
02B Oxygen Sensors
SIRSupplemental Inflatable
Restraint System
FRT PARKFront Parking Lamps,
Sidemarker Lamps
DRLDaytime Running Lamps
(Relay)Fuses Usage
SEO IGN Rear Defog Relay
TBC IGN1 Truck Body Controller Ignition
HI HDLP-LT High Beam Headlamp-Left
LH HID Not Used
DRL Daytime Running Lamps
IPC/DICInstrument Panel
Cluster/Driver Information
Center
HVAC/ECAS Climate Control Controller
CIG LTR Cigarette Lighter
HI HDLP-RT High Beam Headlamp-Right
HDLP-LOW Headlamp Low Beam Relay
A/C COMP Air Conditioning Compressor
A/C COMPAir Conditioning Compressor
Relay
RR WPR Not Used
RADIO Audio System
SEO B1Mid Bussed Electrical Center,
Rear Heated Seats,
HomeLink
LO HDLP-LT Headlamp Low Beam-Left
BTSIBrake Transmission Shift
Interlock System
CRANK Starting System
LO HDLP-RT Headlamp Low Beam-Right
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-10At Least Once a Year
...................................6-11
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.........6-14
Steering and Suspension Inspection
................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
............................6-14
Fuel System Inspection
..................................6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
...................6-14
Transfer Case and Front Axle (All-Wheel
Drive) Inspection
.......................................6-15
Brake System Inspection
................................6-15
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
. . . .6-15
Part E: Maintenance Record
...........................6-17
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
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2003 - Sierra Denali

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided intofive parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services”explains
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you
should let your GM dealer’s service department do these
jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported service
people that will perform the work using genuine GM
parts.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a qualified technician do the work.
If you want to get the service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-9.“Part B: Owner Checks and Services”tells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”explains
important inspections that your dealer’s service
department can perform for you.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”lists
some recommended products necessary to help
keep your vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their equivalents, should be used whether you do
the work yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record”is a place for you to
record and keep track of the maintenance performed on
your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty
repairs.
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
This part contains engine oil and chassis lubrication
scheduled maintenance which explains the engine oil life
system and how it indicates when to change the
engine oil andfilter. Lubricate chassis components with
each oil change. Also, listed are scheduled maintenance
services which are to be performed at the mileage
intervals specified.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good condition. But we don’t know exactly how
you’ll drive it. You may drive very short distances only
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances in
very hot, dusty weather. You may use your vehicle in
making deliveries. Or you may drive it to work, to
do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer.This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs,
you’ll know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The properfluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:•carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You willfind these limits on your vehicle’s
Certification/Tire label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-47.
•are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
•are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
SeeOperating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads on page 4-18.
•use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-4.
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2003 - Sierra Denali