2003 GMC SIERRA coolant

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. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
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 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-15
2003 - Sierra Denali

Care of (cont.)
Your CD Player...........................................3-78
Your CDs ...................................................3-78
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-14
CARGO LAMP ON .........................................3-54
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-67
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-10
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-68
CD Changer...................................................3-73
CD Functions.................................................3-74
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.........................................5-52
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................5-94
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-21
Chains, Tires..................................................5-64
CHANGE ENGINE OIL ....................................3-52
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-37
Check Engine Light.........................................3-37
CHECK OIL LEVEL .........................................3-54
CHECK WASHER FLUID .................................3-54
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-37
Checking Coolant............................................5-24
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood
......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-71
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-88
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-35Child Restraints (cont.)
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-40
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-83
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-87
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-85
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-83
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-84
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
.................5-84
Cleaning Leather
............................................5-83
Cleaning the Mirror
.........................................2-30
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
...........5-84
3
2003 - Sierra Denali

Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-86
Cleaning Tires................................................5-87
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-83
Cleaning Wood Panels....................................5-84
Climate Control System
Dual Automatic............................................3-18
Compact Disc Changer Errors..........................3-75
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-70
Compass Calibration.......................................2-30
Compass Variance..........................................2-29
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-13
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-36
Heater, Engine............................................2-18
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-26
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light........................................3-40
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-39
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-10
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
....................................................... 7-3
Customer Assistance Offices
........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-22
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dome Lamps .................................................3-16
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Rear Doors.................................................. 2-9
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-56
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-42
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-42
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-51
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-30
City ...........................................................4-35
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
4
2003 - Sierra Denali

Driving (cont.)
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-38
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-32
Winter........................................................4-40
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-27
Driving Downhill..............................................4-25
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-28
Driving in Water..............................................4-29
Driving On Grades..........................................4-59
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-23
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-40
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-34
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-34
Driving Uphill..................................................4-24
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-58
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-18
E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-42
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Electrochromic Mirror Operation........................2-28
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-39Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
.........................................5-18
Battery
.......................................................5-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............3-37
Compartment Overview
................................5-12
Coolant
......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater
............................................2-18
Coolant Temperature Gage
...........................3-36
Cooling System Inspection
............................6-14
Exhaust
.....................................................2-26
Fan Noise
..................................................5-34
Oil
.............................................................5-13
Overheating
................................................5-26
Starting
......................................................2-17
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
.................................3-52
Engine Coolant Level Check
.............................6-10
Engine Hour Meter Display
...............................3-26
Engine Oil Additives
........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check
...................................6-10
ENGINE OVERHEATED
..................................3-52
Entry Lighting
.................................................3-15
Environmental Concerns
..................................4-20
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons
..............................2-38
Exit Lighting
...................................................3-15
Express-Down Windows
...................................2-12
Extender, Safety Belt
.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps
...............................................3-11
5
2003 - Sierra Denali

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XM™) .............3-61
Finding a Station............................................3-59
Finish Care....................................................5-85
Finish Damage...............................................5-87
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-78
Flash-To-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-64
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-65
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
FM Stereo.....................................................3-76
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-14
Folding the Rear Seat....................................... 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-58
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Axle......................................................5-47
Front Reading Lamps
......................................3-15
Fuel
............................................................... 5-4
Additives
...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel
.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank
........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries
.............................. 5-6
Gage
.........................................................3-41Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-41
System Inspection.......................................6-14
Fuel Information Button....................................3-44
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-54
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-91
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-36
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Oil Pressure...............................................3-40
Speedometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Transmission Temperature.............................3-36
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-33
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-35
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-37
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-20
Glove Box.....................................................2-39
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
6
2003 - Sierra Denali

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-48
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-54
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-51
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heating.........................................................3-22
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-38
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-38
Hitches..........................................................4-57
HomeLink
®Transmitter, Programming................2-35
HomeLink®Transmitter....................................2-35
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn ............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-30
How to Add Fluid............................................5-22
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-57
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-46
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35How to Inspect...............................................5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
Hydroplaning..................................................4-33
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-38
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-38
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-44
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-53
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-42
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-13
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-57
Inspection
Brake System
.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System
................................6-14
Exhaust System
..........................................6-14
Fuel System
...............................................6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance
.......................6-14
Steering and Suspension
..............................6-14
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)
......................................6-15
7
2003 - Sierra Denali

Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-25
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness Control..................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-92
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-11
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-13
Lap Belt........................................................1-22
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-12
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42LATCH System (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-45
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-24
Light
Air Bag Off .................................................3-28
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Battery Warning..........................................3-33
Brake System Warning.................................3-34
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-27
Tow/Haul Mode ...........................................3-41
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-19
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-10
Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-6
Power Door.................................................. 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Loss of Control...............................................4-16
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-52
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-41
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
8
2003 - Sierra Denali

T
Tachometer....................................................3-26
Tailgate.........................................................2-10
Tailgate Removal............................................2-10
Taillamps.......................................................5-54
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-28
Testing the Alarm............................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-75
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-13
Passlock
®...................................................2-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check.........................................6-10
Tires.............................................................5-56
Buying New Tires........................................5-60
Chains.......................................................5-64
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-64
Inflation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-57
Inspection and Rotation................................5-58
Spare Tire..................................................5-82
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................5-62
Wheel Replacement
.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires
......................5-59
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
....................2-18
Tonneau Cover
...............................................2-39
Top Strap
......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location
...............................1-40Torque Lock...................................................2-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-56
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-47
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-53
Your Vehicle...............................................4-46
Traction
Manual Selectable Ride................................. 4-9
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-55
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-52
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-57
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-61
Transfer Case................................................5-45
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Temperature Gage.......................................3-36
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-55
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-19
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-43
Trip Odometer
................................................3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information
....................4-50
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-6
TURN SIGNAL ON
.........................................3-54
14
2003 - Sierra Denali