2012 GMC SAVANA oil level

Black plate (11,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-11
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/RUNwith 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.
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 in Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3 and be sure
to use the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
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. 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.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-15
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.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level
place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through
each gear range, pausing for
about three seconds in each
range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1
through M3. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more. Then, without shutting off the
engine:
The transmission dipstick is located
near the center of the engine
compartment and will be labeled
with the graphic shown.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for 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.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-17
.When the correct fluid level is
obtained, push the dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
located near the center of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for more information on
location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi)
interval. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑3 for more information.
If driving in 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 filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains covered with dirt, a new
filter is required. Never use
compressed air to clean the filter. To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter, do the following:
1. Unhook the retainer clips and
remove the cover.
2. Lift the filter out of the engine air cleaner/filter housing. Care
should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
3. Clean the engine air cleaner/ filter housing.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. Make sure that the
filter fits properly into the
housing.
5. Reinstall the cover and fasten the retaining clips.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-20 Vehicle Care
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 11‑12 for
more information.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.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 recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
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 COLD FILL mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before
this is done.
The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at or above the
COLD FILL mark. If it is not, there
could be a leak in the cooling
system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a dealer for
service.

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 (3,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑57.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑63.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑10.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑63.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑7 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑10.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑92. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑36.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Service and Maintenance 11-9
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required. It is recommended that
your dealer perform these
services—their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best.
Your dealer can also perform a
thorough assessment with a multi‐
point inspection to recommend
when your vehicle may need
attention. The following list is
intended to explain the services and
conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required. Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Technical Data 12-3
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Engine Oil with Filter
4.3L V6 4.3 L 4.5 qt
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8 5.7 L 6.0 qt
Fuel Tank
Cutaway (Optional Tank)* 215.7 L 57.0 gal
Cutaway (Standard Tank) 124.9 L 33.0 gal
Passenger and Cargo 117.3 L 31.0 gal
* 4 039 mm (159 inch) wheelbase or 4 496 mm (177 inch) wheelbase only
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement)
4-SPD 4L60-E 4.7 L 5.0 qt
6-SPD 6L90 6.0 L 6.3 qt
Transfer Case Fluid 1.4 L 1.5 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 190 Y140 ft lb
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.