2007 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC engine oil

CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil
needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 489,Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486, andScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for more information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this
message will appear on the DIC, a chime will
sound, and the battery warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on. Driving with
this problem could drain the battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have
the electrical system checked by your dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253for
more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil
level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct
it as necessary. You may need to let the vehicle
cool or warm up and cycle the ignition to be
sure this message will clear. Once the problem is
corrected, pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 486for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 516. Adding washer uid to the
windshield washer reservoir will clear the
message. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
272

If your vehicle has a low coolant level sensor, this
message will appear on the DIC if the engine
coolant level is low. Adding coolant to the coolant
recovery tank will clear the message. See
Cooling System on page 508. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
OIL LIFE RESET
This message will appear on the display for about
10 seconds after resetting the change engine
oil message. See “Engine Oil Life System” under
DIC Operation and Displays on page 266and
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486
for more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine oil pressure is low, severe engine
damage may occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486
for more information.
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will
be displayed on the DIC and a chime will
sound. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause of the low
oil pressure has been corrected. Check the oil as
soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
on page 486.
275

TRANSMISSION HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC,
you can damage the transmission. This could
lead to costly repairs that would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle with overheated transmission uid
or while the transmission temperature warning
is displayed.
If the transmission uid temperature becomes
high, this message will appear on the DIC display.
When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the
transmission shifting patterns. When the
transmission uid temperature returns to normal,
the display will turn off and the transmission
shifting patterns will return to normal.If the vehicle has the Tow/Haul mode, use this
feature if the transmission is operating at higher
temperatures and/or the following situations
exist, which can cause the transmission to operate
at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Over-loading
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the
auxiliary transmission oil cooler
A temporary solution to hotter transmission
operating temperatures may be to let the
transmission cool down. If the transmission is
operated at higher temperatures on a frequent
basis, seeScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for the transmission
your vehicle is equipped with for the proper
transmission maintenance intervals. Also see
Transmission Temperature Gage on page 257for
more information.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of the
tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make
you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it does,
your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get
some exercise, or both. For safety, treat
drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
399

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing your signal
when they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can
tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions).You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode
if the transmission shifts too often. SeeTow/Haul
Mode Light on page 264.
If you have a 5-speed manual transmission and
you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to use
FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in FOURTH (4) gear
(or, as you need to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant at
or near sea level will boil at a lower temperature
than at higher altitudes. If you turn your engine off
immediately after towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run while parked, preferably on
level ground, with the automatic transmission in
PARK (P) for a few minutes before turning
the engine off. For manual transmissions, let the
engine run while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission out of gear and the
parking brake applied, for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 505.
453

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617for
more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle
lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following
wiring harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling
a slide-in camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups
have an eight-wire trailer towing harness.For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty
trailering, the harness is clipped to the vehicle’s
frame behind the spare tire mount. The harness
requires the installation of a trailer connector,
which is available through your dealer.
If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you
can get a jumper harness (electric trailer brake
control) with a trailer battery feed fuse from
your dealer.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a
standard four-way round pin connector, you can
also get an adapter from your dealer.
456

Service........................................................ 468
Accessories and Modications................... 468
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 469
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 469
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 470
Fuel............................................................. 470
Gasoline Octane........................................ 470
Gasoline Specications.............................. 471
California Fuel........................................... 471
Additives................................................... 472
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 473
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 474
Filling the Tank......................................... 474
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 477
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 478
Hood Release........................................... 479
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 480
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine).................... 486
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine).................................. 489
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(Gasoline Engines)................................. 491Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission®) .......................... 494
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ............... 497
Manual Transmission Fluid........................ 500
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 501
Engine Coolant.......................................... 502
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 505
Engine Overheating................................... 505
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)........ 508
Cooling System......................................... 508
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 514
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 515
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 516
Brakes...................................................... 517
Battery...................................................... 520
Jump Starting............................................ 521
Rear Axle.................................................... 527
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 528
Front Axle................................................... 529
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
465

E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to rell your fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 474.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and may harm your fuel system.
Damage caused by additives would not be
covered by your new vehicle warranty. Do not
use additives with E85 fuel.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep
sparks, ames, and smoking materials
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel
pump unattended when refueling your
vehicle. This is against the law in some
places. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.
474