2007 GMC SIERRA check engine

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel
Fuel Requirements and Fuel System” in the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please
read this.
Gasoline
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 607.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN
Code 0) or the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3),
you can use either regular unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85);
also seeFuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 491.
In all other gasoline engines, use only regular
unleaded gasoline.
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Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If
you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 490for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See
the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is
not available in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 260. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
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Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan can start
even when the engine is not running.
To avoid injury, always keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any engine
cooling fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 505.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline
Engines) on page 505.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 520andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 516.
D. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 532.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 531.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 500.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 508.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 532.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 500.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 520.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 526.
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 528.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 612.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 527.
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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, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 267. You should check the
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 498
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.
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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
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you
must change your 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.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message coming on, reset the system.Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset
the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in PARK (P) to access this
display. SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With
DIC Buttons) on page 268orDIC Operation
and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on
page 275.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on
the DIC, or the trip odometer reset stem if
your vehicle does not have DIC buttons,
for more than ve seconds. The oil life will
change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when you start your vehicle, the
Engine Oil Life System has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
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5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
7. Reset the air lter restriction indicator, if
the vehicle has one, by pressing the top button
on the indicator.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the
transmission uid level. The only reason for uid
loss is a transmission leak or overheating the
transmission. If you suspect a small leak, then use
the following checking procedures to check the
uid level. However, if there is a large leak, then it
may be necessary to have the vehicle towed to
a dealership service department and have it
repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 635.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
the Maintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 623.Be
sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 635.
508

How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
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.
Before checking the uid level, prepare your
vehicle as follows:
1. Start the engine and park your vehicle on a
level surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift
lever in PARK (P).3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, move the shift lever back to PARK (P).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for
at least one minute. Slowly release the brake
pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the
Trip/Fuel button or trip odometer reset
stem until TRANS TEMP (Transmission
Temperature) displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine
and perform the appropriate check procedure.
If the TRANS TEMP reading is not within
the required temperature ranges, allow
the vehicle to cool, or operate the vehicle until
the appropriate transmission uid temperature
is reached.
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