2007 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC oil level

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

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Engine Coolant on page 502andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline
Engines) on page 491.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
®) on page 494orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
®) on page 497.
F. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 508.G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 515.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 521.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 521.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 517.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 603.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 520.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 516.
481

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Engine Coolant on page 502andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline
Engines) on page 491.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
®) on page 494orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
®) on page 497.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 508.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 521.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 515.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 521.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 517.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 603.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 520.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 516.
483

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Engine Coolant on page 502andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline
Engines) on page 491.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
®) on page 494orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
®) on page 497.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486.G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 508.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 521.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 521.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 515.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 517.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 603.
N. Battery. SeeBattery on page 520.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 516.
485

Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Oil” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Engine Supplement.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, except vehicles that have the
4.3L engine, it means you need to check the
engine oil level right away.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 265. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an added
reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 480
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
486

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the
tip of the dipstick, you will need to add at least
one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This section explains what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 609.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the cross-hatched area that shows the
proper operating range, the engine could be
damaged.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 480for the
location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range. Push
the dipstick all the way back in when you are
through.
All Except 8.1L Engine
8.1L Engine
487

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will
provide easier cold starting and better protection
for the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine)
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 270. Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system may not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important
to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
489

Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine)
on page 621, and be sure to use the transmission
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 629.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
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 parts 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:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
494