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The transmission dipstick is nearthe center of the enginecompartment and will be labeledwith the graphic shown.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview0218for more information onlocation.
1. COLD Range
2. WARM Range
3. HOT Range
1. Flip the handle up, pull out thedipstick, and wipe it with aclean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, waitthree seconds, and pull it backout again.
3. Check both sides of thedipstick, and read the lowerlevel. The fluid level must be inthe COLD (1) range for a coldcheck, transmissiontemperature 27 °C to 32 °C(80 °F to 90 °F); between theCOLD (1) and HOT (3) rangefor a WARM (2) check, 50 °C to60 °C (122 °F to 140 °F); or inthe HOT (3) cross-hatchedrange for a hot check, 71 °C to93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F). Besure to keep the dipstickpointed down to get anaccurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in theacceptable range, push thedipstick back in all the way;then flip the handle down tolock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer toRecommended Fluids andLubricants0305to determine whatkind of transmission fluid to use.
1. WARM Range
2. HOT Range
Using a funnel, add fluid down thetransmission dipstick tube only afterchecking the transmission fluidwhile it is warm or hot. A cold checkis used only as a reference. If thefluid level is low, add only enough ofthe proper fluid to bring the level upto the middle of the WARM (1) orHOT (2) range depending on theambient temperature and priordriving conditions. Refer to“How toCheck Automatic TransmissionFluid”earlier in this section forinstructions on driving to achievewarm or hot transmission fluid.It does not take much fluid,generally less than 0.5 L (1 pt). Donot overfill.
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Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants0305.
.After adding fluid, recheck thefluid level as described under“How to Check AutomaticTransmission Fluid,”earlier inthis section.
.When the correct fluid level isobtained, push the dipstick backin all the way; then flip thehandle down to lock the dipstickin place.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The air cleaner/filter assembly is onthe front of the engine compartmenton the driver side of the vehicle.SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0218.
When to Inspect the Engine AirCleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing andinspecting the engine air filter, seeMaintenance Schedule0297.
How to Inspect the Engine AirCleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have theengine running with the engine airfilter housing open. Before removingthe engine air filter, make sure thatthe engine air filter housing andnearby components are free of dirtand debris. Remove the engine airfilter. Lightly tap and shake theengine air filter (away from thevehicle) to release dust and dirt.Inspect the engine air filter fordamage, and replace if damaged.Do not clean the engine air filter orcomponents with water orcompressed air.
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L
V8 Engine Similar
1. Retaining Clips
2. Housing Base
3. Housing Cover
To i n s p e c t a n d r e p l a c e t h e f i l t e r :
1. Unlock the two retainingclips (1) on the sides of thehousing cover (3) and on thehousing base (2) and pull thecover off.
2. Remove the air cleaner/filterfrom the housing base. Takecare to dislodge as little dirt aspossible.
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3. Clean the air cleaner/filtersealing surface andhousing base.
4. Install the engine air cleaner/filter by aligning the arrow onone side of the air cleaner/filterend cap with the arrow on topof the housing base.
5. Install the housing cover byaligning the arrow on top of thecover to the arrow on top of thehousing base, and fasten thetwo retaining clips.
SeeMaintenance Schedule0297todetermine when to replace theengine air cleaner/filter.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows theengine to maintain the correctworking temperature.
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L
V8 Engine Similar
1. Radiator Pressure Cap
2. Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan can
start even when the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine
cooling fan.
{Warning
Heater 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.
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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
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle isfilled with DEX-COOL®enginecoolant. This coolant is designed toremain in the vehicle for 5 years or240 000 km (150,000 mi), whicheveroccurs first.
The following explains the coolingsystem and how to check and addcoolant when it is low. If there is aproblem with engine overheating,seeEngine Overheating0230.
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
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-COOLcoolant. If using this mixture,nothing else needs to be added.This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection downto✓37 °C (✓34 °F), outsidetemperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to129 °C (265 °F), enginetemperature.
.Protects against rust andcorrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper enginetemperature.
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
Lubricants0305.
Never dispose of engine coolant byputting it in the trash, pouring it onthe ground, or into sewers, streams,
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or bodies of water. Have the coolantchanged by an authorized servicecenter, familiar with legalrequirements regarding usedcoolant disposal. This will helpprotect the environment and yourhealth.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe coolant recovery tank. If thecoolant inside the coolant recoverytank is boiling, do not do anythingelse until it cools down. If coolant isvisible but the coolant level is not ator above the COLD FILL mark, adda50/50mixtureofclean,drinkablewater and DEX-COOL coolant at thecoolant recovery tank, but be surethe cooling system is cool beforethis is done.
The coolant recovery tank cap hasthis symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolantlevel should be at or above theCOLD FILL mark. If it is not, therecould be a leak in the coolingsystem.
If the coolant is low, add the coolantor take the vehicle to a dealer forservice.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank for Gasoline
Engines
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e b u r n e d i f y o u s p i l l
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 properDEX-COOL coolant mixture at thecoolant 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.
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If coolant is needed, add the propermixture directly to the radiator, butbe sure the cooling system is coolbefore this is done.
1. Remove the radiator pressurecap when the cooling system,including the radiator pressurecap and upper radiator hose, isno longer hot. Turn thepressure cap slowlycounterclockwise until it firststops. Do not press down whileturning the pressure cap.
If a hiss is heard, wait for thatto stop. A hiss means there isstill some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap,but now push down as you turnit. Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the properDEX-COOL coolant mixture, upto the base of the filler neck.SeeRecommended Fluids andLubricants0305for moreinformation about the propercoolant mixture.
4. Fill the coolant recovery tank tothe COLD FILL mark.
5. Reinstall the cap back on thecoolant recovery tank, butleave the radiator pressurecap off.
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6. Start the engine and let it rununtil the upper radiator hosecan be felt getting hot. Watchout for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant levelinside the radiator filler neckmay be lower. If the level islower, add more of the properDEX-COOL coolant mixturethrough the filler neck until thelevel reaches the base of thefiller neck.
8. Replace the pressure cap. Atany time during this procedureif coolant begins to flow out ofthe filler neck, reinstall thepressure cap.
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 dieselsupplement.
The vehicle has an indicator to warnof engine overheating.
There is an engine coolanttemperature gauge on the vehicle'sinstrument cluster. SeeEngineCoolant Temperature Gauge098.
If the decision is made not to lift thehood when this warning appears,but instead get service help rightaway, seeRoadside AssistanceProgram0316.
If the decision is made to lift thehood, make sure the vehicle isparked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the enginecooling fans are running. If theengine is overheating, the fanshould be running. If it is not, do notcontinue to run the engine and havethe vehicle serviced.
See if the engine cooling fan speedincreases when idle speed isdoubled by pushing the acceleratorpedal down. If it does not, thevehicle needs service. Turn off theengine.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
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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 isdisplayed but no steam can be seenor heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the enginecan get a little too hot when thevehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.To w s a t r a i l e r . S e e“Driving onGrades”underTr a i l e rTo w i n g0205.
If the overheat warning is displayedwith no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to thehighest temperature and to thehighest fan speed. Open thewindows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull offthe road, shift to P (Park) orN(Neutral) and let theengine idle.
If the engine coolant temperaturegauge is no longer in the overheatzone or an overheat warning nolonger displays, the vehicle can bedriven. Continue to drive the vehicleslowly for about 10 minutes. Keep asafe vehicle distance from the
vehicle in front. If the warning doesnot come back on, continue to drivenormally and have the coolingsystem checked for proper fill andfunction.
If the warning continues, pull over,stop, and park the vehicleright away.
If there is still no sign of steam,push down the accelerator until theengine speed is about twice as fastas normal idle speed for at leastthree minutes while parked. If thewarning is still on, turn off theengine until it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift thehood, get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched enginecooling fan. When the clutch isengaged, the fan spins faster toprovide more air to cool the engine.In most everyday driving conditions,the fan is spinning slower and theclutch is not fully engaged. Thisimproves fuel economy and reducesfan noise. Under heavy vehicleloading, trailer towing, and/or high