2005 GMC SIERRA check transmission fluid

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 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
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, run the engine
for at least once minute and shift to DRIVE (D).
Then shift to NEUTRAL (N) and then REVERSE (R)
to ll the hydraulic system. Then, position the
shift lever in PARK (P).
Allow the engine to run at idle (500–800 rpm).
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
Cold Check Procedure
The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the
transmission has enough uid to be operated safely until
a hot check can be made. The uid level rises as uid
temperature increases. DO NOT ll above the COLD
CHECK band if the transmission uid is below normal
operating temperatures.
1. 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.
5-31

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 does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transmission uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transmission uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. See your maintenance schedule to nd out
when to change your transmission uid.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
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.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transmission case.
5-33

Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the uid level is low, add more
uid as described in the next steps.How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only enough
uid to bring the uid level up to the bottom of the
ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is
fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
lled with hydraulic clutch uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding
uid will not correct a leak.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired. 5-speed for VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines Shown, Other Manual
Transmissions Similar
5-34

(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly (if equipped).
Replace as needed.
(l)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(m)Change automatic transmission uid and lter 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.(n)Vehicles with diesel engine or with GVWR above
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) only: Inspect shields for damage or
looseness. Adjust or replace as required. This is a
Noise Emission Control Service. Applicable only
to vehicles sold in the United States.
(p)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter or change indicator (if equipped) at each
engine oil change.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist
you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
6-10

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-121
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-124
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-122
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-122
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-122
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-125
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-121
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-52
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-44
Coolant......................................................5-35
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-45
Oil .............................................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-39
Overheating................................................5-37
Starting......................................................2-23
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finish Damage.............................................5-118
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-127
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-91
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-92
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-109
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-27, 5-30
Manual Transmission....................................5-33
Power Steering...........................................5-46
Windshield Washer......................................5-48
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-37, 5-58
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-48
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Storage Area.........................................2-71
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E-85 (85% Ethanol)....................................... 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling Your Tank..........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage.........................................................3-49
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
5

Light (cont.)
Traction Off................................................3-41
Up-Shift.....................................................3-39
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-18
Exit...........................................................3-18
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-11
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-19
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-50
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-5
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-11Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-18
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-17
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-14
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-44
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Selectable Ride...................................4-10
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-33
Operation...................................................2-32
Manual Windows............................................2-16
Memory Seat.................................................2-74
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-54
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-58
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-55
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-55
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-63
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-61
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-64
8