Page 262 of 424

Black plate (54,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
9-54 Driving and Operating
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3 for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the
total loaded trailer weight (B), up to
a maximum of 181 kg (400 lbs) with
a weight carrying hitch. The trailer
tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent to 15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B), up to a
maximum of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) with
a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings
—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the vehicle and trailer.
Page 289 of 424

Black plate (23,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-23
8. Replace the pressure cap. Atany time during this procedure if
coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the
pressure cap.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating. There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the vehicle's
instrument panel. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5‑14 for more information.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
but instead get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑5.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced. See if the engine cooling fan speed
increases when idle speed is
doubled by pushing the accelerator
pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice:
Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, the vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Page 302 of 424
Black plate (36,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-36 Vehicle Care
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type and
length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑14. Notice:
Allowing the wiper arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
allow the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the
windshield.
A. Wiper Arm
B. Release Lever
C. Blade Assembly 2. Push the release lever (B) to
disengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (A) out of the
blade assembly (C).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely on the wiper arm until
the release lever clicks into
place.
Page 307 of 424

Black plate (41,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-41
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) is located above the rear
doors at the center of the vehicle.
To replace a bulb:
1. Remove the two screws from theCHMSL assembly.
2. Remove the CHMSL assembly. 3. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise one quarter
turn to remove it from the lamp
assembly.
4. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push the new
bulb into the socket.
5. Turn the bulb socket clockwise one quarter turn to install it in the
lamp assembly.
6. Reinstall the CHMSL assembly and two screws.
Do not block or damage the CHMSL
when items are loaded on the roof
of the vehicle.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
A. Bulb Socket
B. License Plate Bulb Assembly
C. Screws
1. Remove the screws (C) that secure the license plate bulb
assembly (B).
2. Turn the bulb socket (A) counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
Page 337 of 424

Black plate (71,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-71
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Notice: The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire
or tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension, or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
crash. To help avoid damage to
the vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle. Do not
spin the vehicle's tires. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
Notice: Use tire chains only
where legal and only when you
must. Use chains that are the
proper size for the tires. Install
them on the tires of the rear axle.
Do not use chains on the tires of
the front axle. Tighten them as
tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
If you can hear the chains
contacting the vehicle, stop and
retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
Page 340 of 424
Black plate (74,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-74 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
Equipment needed for a cargo van
or a passenger van is located in the
passenger side rear corner of the
vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and
lift it off of the mounting bracket.Equipment needed for a
15‐passenger seating arrangement
is secured on the rear floor on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and
lift it out of the mounting bracket to
access the equipment.
The tools you will be using include:
A. Jack
B. Jack Handle
C. Hoist Extension
D. Jack Handle Extension
E. Wheel Wrench
The spare tire is mounted in the rear
underbody of the vehicle.
Use the hoist extension, jack handle
extensions, and the wheel wrench
to remove the underbody‐mounted
spare tire.
Page 347 of 424

Black plate (81,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-81
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem pointed down.
2. Pull the retaining bar through thecenter of the wheel, making sure
it is properly attached.
3. Pull the wheel toward the rear of the vehicle, keeping the cable
tight.
4. Put the chisel end of the hoist extension on an angle through
the hole in the rear door frame,
above the bumper.
5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle.
Continue turning the wheel
wrench until the tire is secure
and the cable is tight. The spare
tire hoist cannot be
overtightened.
6. Make sure the tire is storedsecurely. Push, pull (A), and then
try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire
moves, use the wheel wrench to
tighten the cable.
Two clicks mean the the tire is
up all the way.
7. Return the jacking equipment to the proper location. Secure the
items and replace the jack cover.
Page 357 of 424

Black plate (91,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-91
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
All‐Wheel‐Drive Vehicles
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels
off the ground.
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components.
Do not tow an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with any of its wheels on
the ground.Dolly Towing
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground) –Two‐Wheel‐Drive
Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow
the vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly. 3. Firmly set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on page 9‑34
for more information.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. If the tow vehicle will not be
started or driven for six weeks or
more, remove the battery cable
from the negative terminal (post)
of the battery to prevent the
battery from draining while
towing.