Black plate (2,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
2013 GMC Savana Owner ManualM
Vehicle Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Recommended Fluids . . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-12
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
Black plate (5,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Lighting 6-5
The lever returns to its starting
position when released.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly or
does not come on, a signal bulb
may be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If a bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 10‑37.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime
sounds at each flash of the turn
signal and the message TURN
SIGNAL ON also appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Lamp Messages on page 5‑33. To
turn off the chime and message,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The knob for this feature is to the
left of the steering column.
D(Instrument Panel Lights):
Push the knob to extend and then
turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to brighten or dim the instrument
panel lights and the radio display.
This only works if the headlamps or
parking lamps are on.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps come on when any
door is opened. They turn off after
all the doors are closed.
The instrument panel brightness
knob extends when
Dis pressed.
To manually turn on the dome
lamps, press
Dthen turn the knob
clockwise to the farthest position. In
this position, the dome lamps
remain on whether a door is opened
or closed.
Dome Lamp Override
TheEDOME OFF button is above
the instrument panel
brightness knob.
Black plate (48,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
9-48 Driving and Operating
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand tothe left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:
Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑29.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
Black plate (1,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-8
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . 10-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Noise Control System . . . . . . 10-28
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-29
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-30
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32 Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . 10-35
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-36
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Floor Console Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Black plate (31,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-31
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 thewindshield.
2. Push the release lever (2) todisengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (1) out of the
blade assembly (3).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely on the wiper arm until
the release lever clicks into
place.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, see Replacement Bulbs on
page 10‑36.
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.
Black plate (32,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-32 Vehicle Care
Headlamps
Composite Headlamp
1. High-Beam Headlamp
2. Low-Beam Headlamp
To remove the headlamp assembly
from the vehicle and access the
bulbs:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood on
page 10‑4.2. 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.5. Disconnect the electricalconnector.
6. Turn the bulb counterclockwise one-quarter turn to remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
7. Install the new bulb into the headlamp assembly and connect
the electrical connector.
Black plate (33,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-33
8. Reverse the steps to reinstall theheadlamp assembly.
To prevent headlamp vibration
and shortened bulb life, be sure
to insert the headlamp assembly
tabs in the slots at the lower
portion of the housing.
Sealed-Beam Headlamp
1. Headlamp retainer screws
2. Headlamp retainer
3. Sealed-beam headlamp bulb To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the four screws (1) from
the headlamp retainer (2).
Pull the retainer (2) out and set it
aside.
2. Pull the bulb (3) forward to gain access to the electrical
connector.3. Disconnect the electricalconnector (2) and remove the
headlamp bulb (1).
4. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall the headlamp.
Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps
1. Front Parking and TurnSignal Lamp
2. Front Sidemarker Lamp
To replace the front turn signal,
sidemarker, and/or parking lamp
bulb(s):
Black plate (34,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-34 Vehicle Care
1. Use a small tool to unlatch theoutboard clip on the lamp by
pushing inboard and prying the
lamp assembly forward.
2. Remove the lamp from the grille.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise one-quarter
turn and remove it from the lamp
assembly.
4. Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out.
5. Replace the bulb.
6. Turn the bulb socket clockwise to reinstall it in the lamp
assembly.
7. Reinstall the lamp assembly into the grille until the outboard clip
snaps into place.Taillamps
To replace a taillamp/turn signal
lamp or back-up lamp bulb:
1. Remove the two inboard nuts
from the inside of the taillamp
assembly.
2. The third nut (3) is under theapplique piece (2) above the
lamp. Remove the two inboard
applique nuts. Pull the
applique (2) straight rearward
slightly to clear the studs. Then
rotate the applique (2) just far
enough to gain access to the
outer push pins (1).
3. Carefully disconnect the push pins (1) from the applique
bracket.
4. Remove the third nut (3) from the upper outboard side of
the lamp.