Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Vehicle Care 10-25
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
If the vehicle has rear drum brakes,
they do not have wear indicators,
but if a rear brake rubbing noise is
heard, have the rear brake linings
inspected immediately. Rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing.
Drum brakes have an inspection
hole to inspect lining wear during
scheduled maintenance. When the
front brake pads are replaced, have
the rear brakes inspected, too. Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes
—for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5 for the location of the
reservoir.
Black plate (63,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Vehicle Care 10-63
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure on page 10‑55
andVehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑15.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), if the vehicle
has one. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑58.
Check that the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is stored
properly. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. See
“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑72.Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new,
or whenever a wheel, wheel bolt,
or wheel nut is replaced, check the
wheel nut torque after
160, 1 600, and 10 000 km (100,
1,000, and 6,000 mi) of driving. For
proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, see
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing on page 10‑72.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup
generally wears faster than the
inner tire. Tires last longer and wear
more evenly if they are rotated. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑61 and
Tire Rotation on page 10‑61. Also
see Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Black plate (69,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Vehicle Care 10-69
road, the tires and wheels might
need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Some aluminum wheels can be
repaired. See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset and be
mounted the same way as the one it
replaces.Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.{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. Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt,
or wheel nut is replaced on a dual
wheel setup, check the wheel nut
torque after 160, 1 600 and
10 000 km (100, 1,000 and 6,000 mi)
of driving. For proper torque, see
“Wheel Nut Torque”
under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑70 for more information.
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.
Black plate (79,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Vehicle Care 10-79
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
13. Tighten the nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown, by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
For vehicles with dual wheels, have
a technician check the wheel nut
tightness of all wheels with a torque
wrench after the first 160 km
(100 mi) and then 1600 km
(1,000 mi) after that. Repeat this
service whenever you have a tire
removed or serviced. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for more information. When reinstalling the regular wheel
and tire, also reinstall either the
center cap, or bolt-on hub cap,
depending on what the vehicle is
equipped with. For center caps,
place the cap on the wheel and tap
it into place until it seats flush with
the wheel. The cap only goes on
one way. Be sure to line up the tab
on the center cap with the
indentation on the wheel. For
bolt-on hub caps, align the plastic
nut caps with the wheel nuts and
then tighten by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten.
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.
Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
11-8 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services —Severe
(1) Extreme service. For vehicles
mainly driven off-road in four-wheel
drive or used in farming, mining,
forestry, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), or snow plowing.
(2) Check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing, and condition. Check that
the purge valve, if the vehicle has
one, works properly. Replace as
needed.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. (4)
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case output seals. High
pressure water can overcome the
seals and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer
case and should be replaced.
(5) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System on
page 10‑16.
(6) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first.
(7) Inspect for fraying, excessive
cracking, or damage; replace,
if needed.Special Application
Services
.Vehicles with Dual Wheels:
Check dual wheel nut torque at
160 km/100 mi, 1 600 km/
1,000 mi and 9 700 km/6,000 mi.
.Severe Commercial Use
Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis
components every 5 000 km/
3,000 mi.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed once a year.
Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
12-4 Technical Data
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Transmission Fluid - Manual (Drain and Refill)
1500 Series 4.4 L 4.6 qt
3500 Series 3.5 L 3.7 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.
Engine Specifications
Engine VIN CodeSpark Plug Gap
4.3L V6 (LU3) X1.52 mm (0.060 in)
4.8L V8 (L20) A1.02 mm (0.040 in)
5.3L V8 FlexFuel with Active Fuel Management™ (Iron
Block) (LMG) 0
1.02 mm (0.040 in)
5.3L V8 FlexFuel with Active Fuel Management™(Aluminum
Block) (LC9) 7
1.02 mm (0.040 in)