Page 284 of 424

Black plate (18,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-18 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan can
start even when the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine
cooling fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Page 285 of 424

Black plate (19,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-19
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
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 10‑23.
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
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.
Page 290 of 424

Black plate (24,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-24 Vehicle Care
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. See“Driving on
Grades” underTrailer Towing on
page 9‑50.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary. 3. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone or
an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
push down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while you are parked.
If the warning is still on, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood, get service help right away.
Page 294 of 424

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.
Page 299 of 424

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.
Page 311 of 424
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)
Page 312 of 424
Black plate (46,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-46 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuse Usage67 Daytime Running
Lamps 1 (UPLVL
+V22) (If
Equipped)
68 Auxiliary Stop
Lamps
69 Trailer Stop Lamps
70 Spare
71 Fuel Heater/Flex
Fuel Sensor
72 Body Control
Module 6
73 Lighter/Data Link
Connection
75 V6 Fuel Injectors
76 Spare
77 Oxygen Sensor
2 (Pre) Mini Fuse Usage
78 Engine Control
Module Powertrain
79 Even Ignition/
Injectors
J‐Case Fuse Usage 1 ABS Motor
2 ABS Module
41 Spare
42 Trailer Wiring
43 Fan High
44 Starter Solenoid
45 Engine Control
Module/Powertrain
46 Spare
47 Fan Lo
74 Front Blower Relay
Usage
15 Run/Crank
37 Spare
38 Fuel Pump
39 Crank
40 Air Conditioning
Compressor
48 Fan High
49 Powertrain
50 Spare
57 Fan Low
60 Fan Control
Floor Console Fuse Block
The floor console fuse block is
located under the driver seat.
Page 314 of 424
Black plate (48,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-48 Vehicle Care
Mini‐Fuse UsageF9 Outside Rearview
Mirror Switch
F10 Airbag/Automatic
Occupant Sensing
F11 OnStar
®
(If Equipped)
F12 Empty
F13 Heating, Ventilation
and Air
Conditioning 2
F14 Heating, Ventilation
and Air
Conditioning 1
F15 Empty Mini‐Fuse Usage
F17 Outside Rearview
Mirror Heater
F18 Rear Window
Defogger
F19 Compass
F20 Radio/Chime/XM™
Satellite Radio
(If Equipped)
F21 Remote Function
Actuator/Tire
Pressure Monitor Mini‐Fuse Usage
F22 Ignition Switch/
Discrete Logic
Ignition
Sensor (PK3)
F23 Instrument Panel
Cluster
F25 Heating, Ventilation
and Air
Conditioning
Control
F26 Auxiliary/Trailer
Backup
F27 Taillamps Backup