2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 fuel additives

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................5-11
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-13
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-14
Hood Release..............................................5-14
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-16
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Coolant.............................................5-32
Engine Overheating.......................................5-36
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-38
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-39
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-53
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Noise Control System.....................................5-57
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-58
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles except those with the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code 2), 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.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. 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 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-8
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the 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, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-45. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-7

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-8

It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline
and E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add less than
three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You should drive
the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to
the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-11.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused
by additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
5-10

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Accessory Power............................................2-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Active Fuel Management™...............................2-28
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-40
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-90
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-7
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-8
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-123
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning......................................3-24, 3-25
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Airbag System................................................1-72
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-90
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-81
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-79
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-84
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-89
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-79Airbag System (cont.)
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-80
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-77
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-75
Airbags
Off Light.....................................................3-38
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-40
Antenna
Fixed Mast................................................3-142
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-142
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-43
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-120
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-118
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-122
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-119
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-116
Finish Care...............................................5-119
Finish Damage..........................................5-121
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-117
Interior Cleaning........................................5-115
Leather....................................................5-117
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-121
1

Engine (cont.)
Coolant......................................................5-32
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-44
Cooling System...........................................5-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-18
Exhaust.....................................................2-55
Fan Noise..................................................5-39
Fast Idle System.........................................2-25
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-38
Overheating................................................5-36
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-20
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Exit Lighting...................................................3-20
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-37
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-16
F
Fast Idle System............................................2-25
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage.............................................5-121
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-142
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-8Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-10
Flat Tire........................................................5-93
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-94
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-110
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-24, 5-27
Power Steering...........................................5-39
Windshield Washer......................................5-40
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-19
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-50
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-37, 5-53
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-51
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-8
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-9
Economy Driving........................................... 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-13
Filling the Tank...........................................5-11
Fuels in Foreign Countries............................5-10
Gage .........................................................3-51
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-7
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-7
Low Fuel Warning Light................................3-52
Fuel Management, Active.................................2-28
6