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ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning)
TURNED OFF
This message will display when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 234. To avoid added strain on a
hot engine, the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioning
compressor will turn back on. You can continue
to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the
system repaired by your GM dealer as soon
as possible to avoid damage to your engine.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor and the oil
level in the vehicle is low, this message will
display. 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.
This message will clear itself after 10 seconds,
until the next ignition cycle. SeeEngine Oil
on page 438for additional information.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 452for more
information.
This message will display when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the
vehicle to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 234.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 454for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
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ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating on page 452for more
information.
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will
display and a chime will sound. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message will clear when the
engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message will display and a chime will sound
when the cooling system temperature gets too
hot and the engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 452for further information.This message will also display when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Reduced engine
power can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no reduction
in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at
a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your GM dealer for service as soon as
possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will display
and a chime will sound. Refuel as soon as
possible. SeeFuel Gage on page 243and
Fuel on page 428for more information.
HOOD OPEN
If the hood is not fully closed, this message will
display and a chime will sound. Stop and turn off
the vehicle, check the hood for obstructions, and
close the hood again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
257
Page 418 of 608

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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
a 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. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” earlier in this section for more information.
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. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 452.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brake, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
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Page 437 of 608

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 443.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 443.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 455andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 451.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 467.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 466.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 438.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 445.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 467.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 438.
J. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 455.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 461.
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 463.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 543.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 462.
437
Page 451 of 608

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 436for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark.
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 436for more
information on location.
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Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s){CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If possible, 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.
5.3L Engine (4.8L and 6.0L Similar)
455
Page 456 of 608

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.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 454for 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.
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Page 457 of 608
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
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 449for 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.
457