GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 6/29/17
228 Vehicle Care
3. Clean the air cleaner/filtersealing surface and
housing base.
4. Install the engine air cleaner/ filter by aligning the arrow on
one side of the air cleaner/filter
end cap with the arrow on top
of the housing base.
5. Install the housing cover by aligning the arrow on top of the
cover to the arrow on top of the
housing base, and fasten the
two retaining clips.
See Maintenance Schedule 0300 to
determine when to replace the
engine 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 the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L
V8 Engine Similar
1. Radiator Pressure Cap 2. Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of 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.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
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Vehicle Care 229
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 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 0232.
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-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 0308.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 6/29/17
232 Vehicle Care
6. Start the engine and let it rununtil the upper radiator hose
can be felt getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
8. Replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of
the filler neck, reinstall the
pressure 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 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. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 099.
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 0319.
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.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
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Vehicle Care 233
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
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
0 208.
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.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
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Vehicle Care 235
What to UseCaution
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
Lubricants0308.
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308. Always use the
proper fluid. Failure to use the
proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0220 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.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 6/29/17
Index 341
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 160Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Rear Heating System . . . . . . . . . 162
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 322
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Control Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . 99
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 162
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Cruise Control (cont'd)
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 324
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 322
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 328
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 327
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . 30
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Sliding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 314
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 22
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 171
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 173
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Dual Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
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342 Index
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . 252
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 248
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 220
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 99
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Cooling System Messages . . . .114
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 185
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Enhanced Technology Glass . . . . 39
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 327
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 126
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 127
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 129
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 224
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 108
Requirements, California . . . . . 201
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . 252
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 6/29/17
Index 343
Fuses (cont'd)Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 248
G
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature . . . 99
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Warning Lights andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 299
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Glass, Enhanced Technology . . . . 39
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 129
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Headlamps (cont'd)
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 127
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Heater Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 162 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 171
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 162
I
Idle System Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 37
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 116
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 26
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 256
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 127
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 103
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131