2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 cooling

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 5-36for
more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage (US-Canada) on page 3-44.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-38for information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
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. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-36
for more information.This message displays and a chime sounds if the engine
cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for
operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled to a safe operating
temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine
further enters the engine coolant protection mode. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-36for further information.
This message also displays 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 dealer/retailer for
service as soon as possible.
3-68

Driving in Water
{CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it is
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding, and ood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving through it.
Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles, or exhaust pipe — you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.
At faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system
and the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get
the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is under water, you
will never be able to start the engine. When going through
water, remember that when the brakes get wet, it might
take longer to stop. SeeDriving in Rain and on Wet
Roads on page 4-27.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on
the underbody, chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage and check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
4-25

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
4-28

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,300 lbs (2 404 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 8,200 lbs (3 720 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L LY5 V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 6 Speed Automatic,
K5L HD Cooling Pkg3.42 9,100 lbs (4 128 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L LY5 V8 6 Speed Automatic,
K5L HD Cooling Pkg3.42 9,200 lbs (4 173 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 7,700 lbs (3 493 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel
Trailer3.42 9,100 lbs (4 128 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
4-55

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Conventional
Trailer3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.73 10,700 lbs (4 853 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Short Box (c)
4.3L V6 3.23 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 3.73 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.42 5,800 lbs (2 631 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (c)
4.8L V8 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
4-56

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 3.42 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 NHT Max
Trailering Pkg3.73 10,600 lbs (4 808 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,100 lbs (3 221 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel
Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Conventional
Trailer3.42 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box (b)
5.3L V8 4 Speed
Automatic — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed
Automatic — Conventional Trailer3.73 7,600 lbs (3 447 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
4-57

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel
Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L
HD Cooling Pkg — Conventional
Trailer3.42 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,900 lbs (3 583 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 — Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10 8,300 lbs (3 765 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 — Conventional Trailer 4.10 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 (c) 3.42 5,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4-58

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 (c) 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,400 lbs (3 810 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.73 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Short Box (c)
4.8L V8 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
4.8L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Short Box (c)
4.8L V8 3.42 5,400 lbs (2 449 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 3.42 6,300 lbs (2 858 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,300 lbs (4 218 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
4-59