2010 GMC SAVANA check engine

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-6
California Fuel...............................................6-7
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
Filling the Tank............................................6-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)...........................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission)...........................................6-23Cooling System............................................6-26
Engine Coolant.............................................6-28
Engine Overheating.......................................6-33
Engine Fan Noise.........................................6-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-36
Brakes........................................................6-37
Battery........................................................6-40
Jump Starting...............................................6-41
All-Wheel Drive.............................................
.6-45
Rear Axle.......................................................6-46
Front Axle......................................................6-46
Noise Control System.....................................6-47
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................6-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-49
Headlamps..................................................6-49
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps .....................................................6-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........6-51
Taillamps.....................................................6-52
License Plate Lamp......................................6-53
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-54
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-77.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 7-15.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the
airflow around it. This can cause wind noise and can
affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding equipment
to the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure
gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list of marketers
providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found
at www.toptiergas.com.
6-5

California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. 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
specifications, 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 4-31.
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.
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, nothing should have to be added 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.
6-7

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{WARNING:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
•Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
•Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on
any surface other than the ground.
•Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the inside
of the fill opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the filling
is complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{WARNING:
Things that burn can get on hot engine or fuel
operated heater (FOH) parts and start a fire.
These include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake
fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, 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 or fuel operated heater (FOH).
6-12

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-40.
B. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 6-26.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 6-26.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on page 6-20orAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on page 6-23.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-19.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 6-35.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-37.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-36.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil” in the
DURAMAX®Diesel manual.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. 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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14for
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 this is not done, 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.
6-15

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system
must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44.
Change the oil as soon as possible within the next
1 000 km (600 miles). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system might not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service people
who will perform this work using genuine parts and
reset the system. It is also important to check the oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 miles) since the 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
the engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.
Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where the oil is changed prior to
a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message being turned
on, reset the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
6-18

When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3, and be sure to
use the transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 7-11.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
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.Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C
(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 24 km
(15 miles) when outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), drive the
vehicle in D (DRIVE) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.
6-21

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
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, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
The transmission dipstick
is located near the center
of the engine compartment
and will be labeled with
the graphic shown.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for
a cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched
area for a hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick
pointed down to get an accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-22