2004 GMC SIERRA automatic transmission fluid

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-28
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-31
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-32
Engine Coolant.............................................5-33
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-36
Engine Overheating.......................................5-36Cooling System............................................5-39
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-44
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-45
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-46
Brakes........................................................5-48
Battery........................................................5-52
Jump Starting...............................................5-53
Rear Axle.......................................................5-59
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-62
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-62
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-64
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-64
Headlamps..................................................5-64
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-66
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-67
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp.............................................5-69
Pickup Box Identi®cation and Fender Marker
Lamps.....................................................5-70
Taillamps.....................................................5-71
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-74
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.
G. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
I. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-17

Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
ž)
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter 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 90ÉF (32ÉC) 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 ¯uid and ®lter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
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 ¯uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the ¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a ®re.
Too little ¯uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission ¯uid level if you have been driving:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·At high speed for quite a while.
·In heavy traffic ± especially in hot weather.
·While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the ¯uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180ÉF to 200ÉF
(82ÉC to 93ÉC).
5-25

SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The ¯uid 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. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to
get an accurate reading.
4. If the ¯uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ¯ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission ¯uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
Add ¯uid only after checking the transmission ¯uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper ¯uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L).
Don't over®ll.
Notice:
We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
DEXRONž-III, because ¯uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by ¯uid other than DEXRON
ž-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
·After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under
How to Check.
·When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ¯ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
5-27

Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
ž)
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter every 25,000 miles
(41 500 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
·In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) 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 ¯uid and ®lter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
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 ¯uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the ¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a ®re.
Too little ¯uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission ¯uid level if you have been driving:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·At high speed for quite a while.
·In heavy traffic ± especially in hot weather.
·While pulling a trailer.
5-28

4. Safe operating level is within the HOT RUN band
on the dipstick. The width of the HOT RUN band
represents approximately 1.06 quart (1.0 liter)
of ¯uid at normal operating temperature.
5. If the ¯uid level is not within the HOT RUN band,
add or drain ¯uid as necessary to bring the ¯uid
level to within the HOT RUN band.
6. If the ¯uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the ¯uid level at least twice using the
procedures described previously. Consistency
(repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper
¯uid level. If inconsistent readings persist, check the
transmission breather to be sure it is clean and
unclogged. If readings are still inconsistent, contact your
dealer.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission ¯uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
Add ¯uid only after checking the transmission ¯uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper ¯uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L).
Don't over®ll.
Notice:
We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
DEXRONž-III, because ¯uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by ¯uid other than DEXRON
ž-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
·After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under
How to Check.
·When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-30