2011 GMC SAVANA PASSENGER oil temperature

Black plate (11,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
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 a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
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. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5‑34.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval 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 mi)
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
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
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.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-12 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑3 and be
sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be decided to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result.
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid. 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 mi) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third)
until the engine temperature gauge
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be
difficult, it is recommended to have
this check done at the dealer
service department, which can
monitor the transmission
temperature. The transmission
fluid level increases with
temperature. To obtain a highly
accurate fluid level check, the
transmission temperature must be
measured.
If it is decided to check the fluid
level, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or a false reading
on the dipstick may occur.
Notice:Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes with the
engine Off, before checking the
transmission fluid level if the vehicle
has been driven:
.In hot weather, when outside
temperatures are above
32°C (90°F).
.The vehicle is heavily loaded.
.At high speed for quite a while in
hot weather.
.In heavy traffic and hot weather.
.While pulling a trailer.
After driving under these conditions,
a hot check can be performed. The
fluid should be Hot, which is 71°C to
93°C (160°F to 200°F).
A cold fluid level check can be
performed 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 is between 15°C to
32°C (60°F to 90°F). Should the
fluid level be low during this cold
check, the fluid must be checked
Warm or Hot before adding fluid.
If the outside temperature is colder
than 15°C (60°F) or hotter than
32°C (90°F), a cold check cannot be
performed.
A warm fluid level check can be
performed by driving the vehicle
under lightly loaded conditions and
outside temperatures between 10°C
to 27°C (50°F to 80°F). The vehicle
should be driven for at least 24 km
(15 mi) before performing a warm
check. Checking the fluid Warm or
Hot will give a more accurate
reading of the fluid level than a cold
check.
Because the vehicle is equipped
with a high-efficiency air-to-oil
cooler, the transmission fluid
temperature may not reach the
required Hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly
loaded driving vehicle conditions.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑24.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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 −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), 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 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 11‑7 for more
information.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
i-4 INDEX
Driving (cont.)If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Dual Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Electrical System Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Floor Console Fuse Block . . 10-48
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-33
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-27
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Engine Oil
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34 Enhanced Technology
Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-15
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-98
Fluid AutomaticTransmission . . . . . . . 10-12, 10-14

Black plate (5,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-5
Fluid (cont.)Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-43
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-42
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-43
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Fuel Economy
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20 Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Fuses
Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Floor Console Fuse Block . . 10-48
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
G
Gasoline
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Gauges Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glass, Enhanced Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15