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260 Vehicle Care
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty. 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, it is
recommended to 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 meeting the
dexos1 specification 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
your 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.
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Vehicle Care 261
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.
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 Messages0128.
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 may 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. 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 REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0123.
2. Press and hold
V. The oil life
will change to 100%. 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 REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. If the display
shows 100%, the system is
reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started and/or the
REMAINING OIL LIFE 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
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268 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
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.
Use 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
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 0355.
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
0 255.
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.
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272 Vehicle Care
If the temperature overheat 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 and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until itcools down. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
following.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message displays, an
overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps to prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Caution
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil 0258.
Engine Fan
If 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 high
outside 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
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Vehicle Care 339
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts,
including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, master
cylinder, brake fluid reservoir,
vacuum pipes, electric vacuum
pump including bracket and vent
hose, if equipped.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year. Inspect power steering for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
1500 Series vehicles, at least every
other oil change lubricate the outer
tie rod ends.
2500/3500 Series vehicles, at least
every other engine oil change
lubricate the upper and lower
control arm ball joints. Control arm
ball joints on 1500 series vehicles
are maintenance-free.
2500/3500 Series vehicles equipped
with steering linkage, at least every
other engine oil change lubricate the
tie rod ball joints, idler arm pivot
shaft bearings, idler arm socket, and
pitman arm socket.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable steering/
suspension points should not be
done unless the temperature is
−12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.
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390 Index
Driving (cont'd)For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 24
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 173
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 175
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288, 290
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Engine (cont'd)
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 255
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Cooling System Messages . . . 128
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 109
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 193
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 375 Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 146
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 148
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 150
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Fluid AutomaticTransmission . . . . . . . . . . . 261, 264
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
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Index 391
Fog LampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 200, 277
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 117
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 52
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 121
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 192
Requirements, California . . . . . 224
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Fuses (cont'd)
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288, 290
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 142Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 109
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Transmission Temperature . . . . . 111
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 345
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 150
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 121
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 148
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 122
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 302
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 173
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . 210
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . 118
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392 Index
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 208
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
I
Idle SystemFast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 42
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 129
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 28
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 294
Lamps Auxiliary RoofMounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 149
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . .115
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 221
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 118
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Light Hill Decent Control . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 152
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .116
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 120
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 120
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
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