2008 GMC SIERRA check engine

A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
located on the transfer case, you will need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the ller plug hole. Use care not to overtighten
the plug.
When to Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to change the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired. Active Transfer Case
5-54

Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel,
wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel
nut torque after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km) of driving. For proper
torque and wheel nut tightening information, see
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-93.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer if you rotate the tires periodically,
seeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-81. Also see
Scheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
re. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare) are properly inated.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-74, for
information on proper tire ination.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your vehicle’s
tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inated to the ination
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is signicantly under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a signicantly under-inated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-ination also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
5-76

4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem.
Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure for ve seconds,
or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,
which may take up to 30 seconds to sound,
conrms that the sensor identication code has
been matched to this tire and wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times to
indicate the sensor identication code has been
matched to the driver side rear tire, and that the
TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active.
The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs of
wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-84for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This
will ensure that your vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-84
andWheel Replacement on page 5-88.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also seeDual
Tire Operation on page 5-76.
5-81

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
2500 Series Standard Box 26.0 gal 98.0 L
2500 Series and 3500 Series Long Box 34.0 gal 128.7 L
3500 Series Chassis Cab 50.0 gal 189.0 L
3500 Chassis Cab – Front Tank 27.0 gal 102.0 L
3500 Chassis Cab – Rear Tank 23.0 gal (if equipped) 87.0 L
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement)
Auto 4-Speed Transmission 4L60-E Electronic
Transmission5.0 qt 4.7 L
Auto 4-Speed Transmission 4L70-E Super Duty
Transmission5.0 qt 4.7 L
Auto 6-Speed Transmission 6L80-E 6.0 qt 5.7 L
Auto 6-Speed Transmission 6L90-E 6.3 qt 6.0 L
Auto 6-Speed Transmission Allison 7.4 qt 7.0 L
Transfer Case Fluid 1.6 qt 1.5 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.
5-131

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using the Maintenance Schedule......................6-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine).........6-4
Additional Required Services
(Gasoline Engine).......................................6-7
Maintenance Footnotes (Gasoline Engine)..........6-9
Owner Checks and Services..........................6-11At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km).......................6-11
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month.................................6-12
At Least Once a Year...................................6-13
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-15
Maintenance Replacement Parts.....................6-17
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................6-18
Maintenance Record.....................................6-19
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a
gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the maintenance schedule section in the
DURAMAX
®Diesel manual.
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance might not be covered
by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Using the Maintenance Schedule
We want to help you keep your vehicle in good working
condition. But we do not know exactly how you will
drive it. You might drive very short distances only a few
times a week. Or you might drive long distances all
the time in very hot, dusty weather. You might use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you might drive it to
work, to do errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You might need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer/retailer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-36.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
SeeOff-Road Driving on page 4-12.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 5-6.The services inScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-4should be performed when
indicated. SeeAdditional Required Services (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-7andMaintenance Footnotes
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-9for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your dealer/retailer to have a qualied
technician do the work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 5-5.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
When you go to your dealer/retailer for your service
needs, you will know that trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work using genuine parts.
6-3

If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-11tells you what
should be checked, when to check it, and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15andMaintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-17. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure
these are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.
Scheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine)
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a
gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the maintenance schedule section in the DURAMAX
®
Diesel manual.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced 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 engine oil
life system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service technicians who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
appears, certain services, checks, and inspections are
required. Required services are described in the
following for “MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.”
Generally, it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII,
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
6-4