2006 GMC SIERRA coolant level

The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD mark.
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 3-55.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at 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 and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
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.
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.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-43.
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 3-55.
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. Check the coolant
level after the system cools down. Some amount of
coolant may be lost due to overheating.
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 your vehicle is equipped with an electric engine cooling
fan, check the coolant temperature gage. If the coolant
temperature is approximately 232°F (111°C), the electric
cooling fan should be running. If it is not, your vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.
5-41

If 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.
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 your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Cooling
System” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Supplement for
the proper coolant ll procedure.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 of clean, 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.
SeeEngine 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

Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for reservoir
location.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts of
the washer system. Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level
in the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well, or will not
work at all.
5-47

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
8.1L V8 HD Automatic* 25.0 qt 23.7 L
8.1L V8 Automatic* 26.9 qt 25.5 L
8.1 V8 Manual* 27.1 qt 25.6 L
* Engine Fan Driven cooling system
** Electric Cooling Fan system
Engine Oil with Filter
4.3 V6 4.5 qt 4.3 L
4.8 V8; 5.3 V8; 6.0 V8 6.0 qt 5.7 L
8.1 V8 6.5 qt 6.1 L
Fuel Tank
Short Bed and 2500 LD 26.0 gal 98.0 L
Long Bed and Chassis Cab (Pickup Box Delete) 34.0 gal 128.7 L
Chassis Cab 3500 and 3500HD — front 27.0 gal 102.0 L
Chassis Cab 3500 and 3500HD — rear 23.0 gal 87.0 L
Transfer Case Fluid 2.0 qt 1.9 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.
5-134

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 (Gasoline Engines) on page 5-25.
See footnote (p).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-81and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-12.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
6-5

(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, body door hinges,
hood latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, tailgate hinges, tailgate linkage,
tailgate handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge,
locks, and folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal better
and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is over
8600 lbs or 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.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer perform this
service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-35 for what to
use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling system and
pressure cap.(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 to vehicles sold in
the United States and recommended for vehicles sold in
Canada.
6-10