2012 GMC SAVANA PASSENGER radiator

Black plate (7,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Battery on page 10‑30.
B. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 10‑18.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System on page 10‑18.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑11 or
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on
page 10‑14.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑7. F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑17.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑25.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid on
page 10‑28.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑10.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

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.

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.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-21
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank for Gasoline
Engines
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the
coolant recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator, but
be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
1. Remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise
until it first stops. Do not press
down while turning the
pressure cap.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-22 Vehicle Care
If a hiss is heard, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn
it. Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the properDEX-COOL coolant mixture, up
to the base of the filler neck.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 for
more information about the
proper coolant mixture.
4. Fill the coolant recovery tank to
the COLD FILL mark.
5. Reinstall the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but leave
the radiator pressure cap off.6. Start the engine and let it rununtil the upper radiator hose can
be felt getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the
filler neck.

Black plate (37,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-37
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑42.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps
Composite Headlamp
A. High‐Beam Headlamp
B. Low‐Beam Headlamp
To remove the headlamp assembly
from the vehicle and access the
bulbs:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on page 10‑4 for more
information.2. Remove the two bolts from the headlamp assembly.
3. Lift the headlamp assembly to release the lower tabs from the
radiator support.
4. Turn the headlamp forward and upward to remove it from the
grille.