2005 GMC SIERRA coolant level

If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant sensor,
and the LOW COOLANT LEVEL message comes
on and stays on, it means you are low on engine
coolant. See “LOW COOLANT LEVEL” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-54.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-14for more
information on location.
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 3-42.
In addition, you will nd an ENGINE OVERHEATED
and a REDUCED ENGINE POWER message in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) on the instrument
panel. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54.
5-37

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do
not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should
be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak and your vehicle is
equipped with an electric engine cooling fan, with the
engine on check to see if the cooling fan is running. If it
is not, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
If there seems to be no leak and your vehicle is
equipped with an engine-driven cooling fan, start the
engine again and see if the fan speed increases when
idle speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator
pedal down. If it does not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine.
5-41

Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only) on page 5-39for information
on driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
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
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank for Gasoline Engines
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-35for more information.If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
5-42

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the FULL COLD mark.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
5-44

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Engine Oil with Filter
4300 V6
4800 V8; 5300 V8; 6000 V8
8100 V84.5 qt
6.0 qt
6.5 qt4.3 L
5.7 L
6.1 L
Fuel Tank
Short Bed and 2500 LD
Long Bed and Chassis Cab (Pickup Box Delete)
Chassis Cab 3500 and 3500HD — front
Chassis Cab 3500 and 3500HD — rear26.0 gal
36.0 gal
27.0 gal
23.0 gal98.0 L
136.0 L
102.0 L
87.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 140 ft lb 190Y
After rell, the level must be rechecked. Add enough engine coolant so that the uid is within the proper
operating range.
5-132

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20.
Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-23.An Emission Control Service.••
Allison Transmission
®only: Replace external control-main lter only at the rst
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator (if equipped). If necessary,
replace lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.An Emission Control
Service. See footnotes † and (p).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-72.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
6-5

At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000
Miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000km)
Check dual wheel nut torque. For proper torque, see
Capacities and Specications on page 5-130.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-20for further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-35for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-72for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. Push, pull and then try to turn the spare tire.
If it moves, tighten it. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-92.
6-11

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.........................................5-67
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-25
Chains, Tire...................................................5-90
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-44
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-119
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-39
Infants and Young Children...........................1-35
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers
for Children (LATCH System).....................1-47
Older Children.............................................1-33
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Crew Cab)..................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position (Regular
and Extended Cab)..........................1-56, 1-62
Top Strap...................................................1-43
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-45
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-127
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-117
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-113
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Glass Surfaces..........................................5-115
Instrument Panel........................................5-115
Interior Plastic Components.........................5-115
Leather....................................................5-114
Tires........................................................5-118
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Vinyl........................................................5-114
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Dual..........................................................3-22
Dual Automatic............................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-34
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-70
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-30
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-19
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-42
Heater, Engine............................................2-25
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-37
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