GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Vehicle Care 221
Wait at least 30 minutes with the
engine off, before checking the
transmission fluid level if the vehicle
has been driven:
.In hot weather, when outside
temperatures are above 32 °C
(90 °F).
. The vehicle is heavily loaded.
. At high speed for quite a while in
hot weather.
. In heavy traffic and hot weather.
. While pulling a trailer.
After driving under these conditions,
a hot check can be performed. The
fluid should be hot, which is 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F).
A cold fluid level check can be
performed after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more
with the engine off, but this is used
only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if the
outside temperature is between
15 °C to 32 °C (60 °F to 90 °F).
Should the fluid level be low during
this cold check, the fluid must be
checked warm or hot before adding
fluid. If the outside temperature is colder than 15 °C (60 °F) or hotter
than 32 °C (90 °F), a cold check
cannot be performed.
A warm fluid level check can be
performed by driving the vehicle
under lightly loaded conditions and
outside temperatures between 10 °C
to 27 °C (50 °F to 80 °F). The
vehicle should be driven for at least
24 km (15 mi) before performing a
warm check. Checking the fluid
warm or hot will give a more
accurate reading of the fluid level
than a cold check.
Because the vehicle is equipped
with a high-efficiency air-to-oil
cooler, the transmission fluid
temperature may not reach the
required hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly
loaded driving vehicle conditions.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park). 3. With a foot on the brake pedal,
move the shift lever through
each gear range, pausing for
about three seconds in each
range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1
through M3. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the
engine, use the steps that follow.
The transmission dipstick is near
the center of the engine
compartment and will be labeled
with the graphic shown.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 216 for more information on
location.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
232 Vehicle Care
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0216 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0102.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0294.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0216.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
280 Vehicle Care
start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking
brake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlet. Turn off the radio and all lamps that
are not needed. This will avoid
sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the
radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations of the other
vehicle.
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to an unpainted metal
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
300 Service and Maintenance
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0302 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
. Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Index 333
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 211
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 223
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 56
Airbags Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Airbags (cont'd)
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Servicing Airbag-Equipped
Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Antenna Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 187 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Audio Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 131
Audio Players CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Automatic
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 220
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
334 Index
Automatic TransmissionManual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
B
Battery
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Battery - North America . . . . 233, 279
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 237
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 102
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 174
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . 241
Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 242
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .213, 233, 279
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Carbon Monoxide (cont'd)
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 100
Check Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 236
Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 67
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 81
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 157
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
336 Index
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . 247
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 243
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 216
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 97
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Cooling System Messages . . . .112
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 182 Engine (cont'd)
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Enhanced Technology Glass . . . . 38
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 321
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 124
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 126
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 220
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 105
Requirements, California . . . . . 198
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . 247
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 243
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Index 337
G
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . 97
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Warning Lights andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 293
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Glass, Enhanced Technology . . . . 38
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 126
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Headlamps (cont'd)
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 106
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 124
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 157
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 168
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
I
Idle System
Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 36
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 114
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 25
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 250
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 124
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 100
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Lamps, Bulb Replacement . . . . . . 240
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78