2016 GMC SIERRA coolant temperature

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
324 Driving and Operating
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering. When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear
before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0292. When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see
Engine Overheating 0375.Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 373
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 0375.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding 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
(Continued)
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 0463.
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.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 375
Light-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure CapHeavy-Duty
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. 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 slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark. 4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90 °C (195 °F).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1-6.
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 the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0135.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
0 154 andEngine Power
Messages 0155.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
376 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance
Program0476.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L
V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
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 (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem. If there is an engine overheat
warning, but no steam is seen or
heard, the problem may not be 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 Trailer
Towing 0325.
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. Turn the air conditioning 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 temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 377
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 it
cools down.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
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil 0363.
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
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch disengages.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 379
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0463. Always use the
proper fluid.
Caution
Use of the incorrect fluid may
damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the correct fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0463.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes on
when the washer fluid is low. The
message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0358 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
(Continued)

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
498 Index
California (cont'd)Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .355, 382, 434
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 118
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 140 Check
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 387
Malfunction Indicator
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 88
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 108
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246, 248
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . 246, 248
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246, 248
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 479
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488 Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Engine Temperature Gauge . . 135
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 475 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 481
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Index 499
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 479
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 484
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 471
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 309
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148, 150
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 312
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 30 Driving (cont'd)
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 266
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 268
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395, 397
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Engine (cont'd)
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 358
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Cooling System Messages . . . 154
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 134
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 286
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 484
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 174
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 176