2010 GMC SIERRA DENALI engine oil

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑22.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 6‑28.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑44.
D. Battery on page 6‑43.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑18.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑24.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of View). See Jump Starting on page 6‑44. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 6‑18.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 6‑28.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See Power Steering Fluid on page 6‑38.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” under Brakes on page 6‑40.
L. Underhood Fuse Block on page 6‑118.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 6‑39.
6-17

Engine Oil
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 6‑16for 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of
the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑122.
Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
6-18

SeeEngine Compartment
Overviewon page 6‑16for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
.GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM6094M.
.SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
.American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst
symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on
the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certified by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature
falls below −20°F (−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide
easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low
temperatures. Always use an oil that meets the required
specification, GM6094M. See “What Kind of Engine Oil
to Use” for more information.
6-19

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.
On some vehicles, when the system has calculated that
oil life has been diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on to indicate that an oil
change is necessary. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑57. 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. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message, An oil change
is needed when the OIL LIFE REMAINING percentage
is near 0%. 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 coming on,
reset the system.
6-20

Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine Oil
Life System on most vehicles:1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in P (Park) to access this display.
See DIC Operation and Displays (Using Trip
Odometer Reset Stem)
on page 4‑44or DIC
Operation and Displays (Using DIC Buttons)on
page 4‑48.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC, or the trip odometer reset stem if the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, for more than five seconds.
The oil life will change to 100%.
On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life System can be reset
as follows: 1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows 100%, the system is reset.
See DIC Operation and Displays (Using Trip
Odometer Reset Stem)
on page 4‑44or DIC
Operation and Displays (Using DIC Buttons)on
page 4‑48. If the vehicle has a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message and it comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the OIL LIFE REMAINING is near 0%,
the Engine Oil Life System has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
6-21

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 6‑16for
the location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Maintenance II
intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 7‑3for more information.
If driving on dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the engine air
cleaner/filter from the vehicle by following Steps 1
through 6. When the engine air cleaner/filter is
removed, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt.
If the engine air cleaner/filter remains caked with dirt, a
new filter is required.
Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
1. Locate the air cleaner/
filter assembly. See
Engine Compartment
Overview
on
page 6‑16.
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing and lift up the cover.
6-22

What to Use
{WARNING:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. The vehicle's coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, the engine could
get too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice: If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle's cooling system, the vehicle could be
damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑11for more information.
6-30

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
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 is
cool before this is done.
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for more
information on location.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it is not, you may have a leak in the
cooling system.
6-31