2015 GMC SIERRA DENALI check oil

Black plate (6,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-6 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10-87 .
2. Battery on page 10-29 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10-17 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-15 .
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped). See “ How to
Check the Automatic
Transmission Fluid ” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6
Speed Transmission) on
page 10-12 or Automatic
Transmission Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) on page 10-15 . 6. Remote Negative (-) Location.
See Jump Starting on
page 10-87 .
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10-17 .
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under Engine
Oil on page 10-8 .
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil on page 10-8 . 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid on
page 10-25 .
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid on page 10-27 .
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-41 .

Black plate (8,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-8 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10-87 .
2. Battery on page 10-29 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10-17 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-15 .
5. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick. See “ How to Check the
Automatic Transmission Fluid ”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) on
page 10-12 or Automatic
Transmission Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) on page 10-15 .
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil on page 10-8 .
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under Engine
Oil on page 10-8 .
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10-17 . 9. Remote Negative ( – ) Location.
See Jump Starting on
page 10-87 .
10. Power Steering Fluid
Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) on
page 10-24 or Power Steering
Fluid (2500/3500 Series) on
page 10-24 .
11. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid on
page 10-25 .
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid on page 10-27 .
13. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped).
See Battery on page 10-29 .
14. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-41 .
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax diesel supplement. 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 10-11 . .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “ What to Do with
Used Oil ” in this section.

Black plate (9,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Vehicle Care 10-9Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10-5 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
If a low oil message displays on the
DIC, it is important to park on level
ground to accurately measure the
oil level on the dipstick. Idling the
vehicle on steep grades for a long
time can influence the level sensing
accuracy.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading. { WarningThe engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it
with a clean paper towel or cloth,
then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“ Selecting the Right Engine Oil ” in
this section for an explanation of what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12-2 .
{ CautionDo not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10-5 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.

Black plate (10,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-10 Vehicle Care Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 .
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos1 ®
approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos1
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos1
specification. See
www.gmdexos.com. { CautionFailure to use the recommended
engine oil can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Check with your
dealer or service provider on
whether the oil is approved to the
dexos1 specification.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade for
the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines. Use
SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade for the
6.0L V8 engine.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below − 29°C
( − 20°F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used in the 6.0L engine. An oil of this viscosity grade will provide
easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, always
select an oil of the correct
specification. See “ Specification ”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the dexos
specification and displaying the
dexos certification mark are all that
is needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on

Black plate (11,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Vehicle Care 10-11your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system
has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on to
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. See Engine Oil
Messages on page 5-34 . Change
the oil as soon as possible within
the next 1 000 km (600 mi). It is
possible that, if driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change is
not necessary for up to a year. The
engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and,
at this time, the system must be
reset. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed
when the OIL LIFE REMAINING
percentage is near 0%. Your dealer
has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system:
1. Display the OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the DIC. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-27 .
2. Press and hold
V for several
seconds. The oil life will change
to 100%.

Black plate (12,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-12 Vehicle Care The oil life system can also be reset
as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the DIC. If the
display shows 100%, the system
is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message and it
comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the OIL LIFE
REMAINING is near 0%, the engine
oil life system has not been reset.
Repeat the procedure. Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6 Speed
Transmission) When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The only
reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
{ Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
(Continued) Caution (Continued) not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 .
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-3 . Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 .
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
{ Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
(Continued)

Black plate (18,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-18 Vehicle Care
{ WarningHeater 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.
{ Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL ®
can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
(Continued) Caution (Continued) 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 10-21 . What to Use
{ WarningAdding 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.

Black plate (19,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Vehicle Care 10-19Use 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.
{ Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
(Continued) Caution (Continued) mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 .
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health. Checking Coolant The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-5 .
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.