2004 GMC SIERRA oil temperature

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

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

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper ¯uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it's in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
žextended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-36.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-33

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
more information on
location.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-46. In addition, you will
®nd a ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message in the Driver Information
Center on the instrument panel. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-55.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ®ring groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a loss in power and engine performance.
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency. Driving extended miles (km)
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
5-36

Electrical System (cont.)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-126
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-126
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-126
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-44
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-51
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-23
Battery.......................................................5-52
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-49
Coolant......................................................5-33
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-46
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-44
Oil .............................................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-36
Starting......................................................2-23
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-68
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-35
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-21
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-68
Entertainment System
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-131
DVD Distortion..........................................3-129
Entry Lighting.................................................3-19
Environmental Concerns..................................4-24
Event Data Records (EDR)..............................7-10Exit Lighting...................................................3-19
Express Down Windows..................................2-17
Extended Cab................................................1-58
Extended Cab and Crew Cab...........................1-55
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering................4-90
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XMŸ).......................3-80, 3-92, 3-105
Finding a Station..................3-75, 3-78, 3-90, 3-103
Finish Care..................................................5-120
Finish Damage.............................................5-122
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines)........................................2-31
Five-Speed (VORTECŸ 6000 V8 Engine)...........2-30
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-131
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-95
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-96
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-25, 5-28
Manual Transmission....................................5-31
Power Steering...........................................5-45
6

Fluid (cont.)
Windshield Washer......................................5-46
FM Stereo....................................................3-129
Fog Lamps....................................................3-17
Folding the Rear Seat....................................... 1-9
Following Distance..........................................4-92
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-35, 5-60
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-53
Front Axle......................................................5-61
Front Axle Locking Feature...............................2-35
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Front Storage Area.........................................2-67
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.........................................................3-54
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-54
Fuel Information Button....................................3-58
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-68
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-126
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-126G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-46
Fuel..........................................................3-54
Oil Pressure...............................................3-52
Speedometer..............................................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Transmission Temperature.............................3-47
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-42
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-24
Glove Box.....................................................2-66
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamps....................................................5-64
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-64
7