2016 GMC SAVANA engine overheat

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
226 Vehicle Care
The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at or above the
COLD FILL mark. If it is not, there
could be a leak in the cooling
system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a dealer for
service.
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.
Caution
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
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool. 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.
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.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
228 Vehicle Care
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the vehicle's
instrument cluster. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 097.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
but instead get service help right
away, see Roadside Assistance
Program 0313.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
See if the engine cooling fan speed
increases when idle speed is
doubled by pushing the accelerator
pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Vehicle Care 229
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer. See “Driving on
Grades” underTrailer
Towing 0204.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone or an overheat warning no
longer displays, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the vehicle in front. If the warning does
not come back on, continue to drive
normally and have the cooling
system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
push down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood, get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or highoutside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when
starting the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
in the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0
216 for reservoir location.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Vehicle Care 243
Electrical System
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed. This
greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road and
a fuse needs to be replaced, the
same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The fuse block is located in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
Vehicles with upfitter content
See www.gmupfitter.com for upfitter
provisions and best practices.

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 339
Monitor System, TirePressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
N
Navigation
OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . 234
O
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 219
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . 96
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 65
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 312
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
OnStar System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
OnStar
®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 325 OnStar
®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Operation Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 134
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 318
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131, 133
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 236
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 181
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 213
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 Phone
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 179
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 52
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 321
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 315
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .213, 233, 279
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 319
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
RadiosAM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190