2012 GMC SAVANA engine

Black plate (28,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-28 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added,
it can spill on the engine and/or
fuel operated heater parts,
if equipped. If the vehicle has a
diesel engine and a fuel operated
heater, see “Fuel Operated
Heater (FOH)” in the diesel
engine supplement. The fluid will
burn if the engine is hot enough.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.

Black plate (29,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-29
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-30 Vehicle Care
Battery
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for battery location.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑84 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant. See Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-33
Federal law prohibits the following
acts or the causing thereof:
1. The removal or renderinginoperative by any person,
other than for purposes of
maintenance, repair or
replacement, of any device or
element of design incorporated
into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control, prior to
its sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element of design has
been removed or rendered
inoperative by any person. Among those acts presumed to
constitute tampering are the acts
listed below.
Insulation:
.Removal of the noise shields or
any underhood insulation.
Engine:
.Removal or rendering engine
speed governor, if the vehicle
has one, inoperative so as to
allow engine speed to exceed
manufacturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:
.Removal of fan clutch, if the
vehicle has one, or rendering
clutch inoperative.
.Removal of the fan shroud, if the
vehicle has one. Air Intake:
.Removal of the air cleaner
silencer.
.Modification of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:
.Removal of the muffler and/or
resonator.
.Removal of the exhaust pipes
and exhaust pipe clamps.
Fuel Operated Heater
(FOH) —Diesel Engine:
.Removal of the muffler.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-34 Vehicle Care
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑34.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts. 3. Try to start the engine in each
gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface. 2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑34.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.

Black plate (35,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-35
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-43
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The fuse block is located in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.

Black plate (45,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-45
Mini Fuse Usage17 Transmission
18 Air Conditioning
Compressor
19 Engine Control
Module Battery
20 Spare
21 Left Stop/Turn
Trailer
22 Spare
23 Spare
24 Fuel Pump
25 Auxiliary Power
Outlet
26 Body Control
Module 3
27 Special Equipment
Option
28 Airbag
29 Steering Wheel
Sensor Mini Fuse Usage
30 Engine Control
Module Ignition/
Glow Plug Module
31 Transmission
Control Module
Ignition
32 Transmission
Control Module
Battery
33 Spare
34 Spare
35 Fuel Operated
Heater Module
36 Fuel System
Control Module
Battery
51 Left High‐Beam
Headlamp
52 Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
53 Left Low‐Beam
Headlamp Mini Fuse Usage
54 Right Low‐Beam
Headlamp
55 Wiper
56 Canister Vent
Solenoid
58 Body Control
Module 2
59 Body Control
Module 1
61 Spare
62 Oxygen Sensor 2
(Post), EV Fan
(Diesel)
63 Spare
64 Mass Air Flow/
Canister Vent
65 Odd Ignition/
Injectors
66 Daytime Running
Lamps 2
(LOLVL‐V22)
(If Equipped)