
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Climate Controls 231
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be
controlled.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the Silverado/Sierra eAssist supplement.
1. Driver Temperature Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Fan Control
5. Defrost
6. Passenger Temperature
Control 7. SYNC (Synchronized
Temperature)
8. Rear Window Defogger
9. Power Button
10. Air Recirculation
11. AUTO (Automatic Operation)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Climate Controls 235
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
. Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter reduces the dust, pollen,
and other airborne irritants from
outside air that is pulled into the
vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
See Maintenance Schedule 0438.
To find out what type of filter to use,
see Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0449.
1. Open the lower glove box door
completely.
2. Remove the four screws from around the lower glove box.
The door does not need to be
removed to access the screws.
3. Close the lower glove box doorand pull it from its frame to
remove the entire unit.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
236 Climate Controls
4. Release the two tabs holdingthe service door. Open the
service door and remove the
old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door and secure the tabs.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional
assistance is needed.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained
and certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should
never be repaired or replaced by
one from a salvage vehicle.
It should only be replaced by a new
evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants
should be reclaimed with proper
equipment. Venting refrigerants
directly to the atmosphere is harmful
to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite,
or other health-based concerns.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 339
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 340
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 341
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 351
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 352
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 354
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 355
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 360
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362 Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Battery - North America . . . . . . 366
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 370
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 371
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 371
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 372
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 372
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Electrical System Overload . . . 376
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 385
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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344 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0418.
2. Battery - North America 0366.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0356.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0355.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0352
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0354.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location. See Jump Starting - North
America 0418.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0356.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0365.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0363.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
346 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0418.
2. Battery - North America 0366.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0356.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0355.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0352
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0354.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0418.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0356.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0363.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0365.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
348 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0418.
2. Battery - North America 0366.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0356.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0355.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0352
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0354.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0348.
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0356. 9. Remote Negative (–) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0418.
10. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) 0363
or Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) 0363.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0363.
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0365.
13. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped). SeeBattery - North
America 0366.
14. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0376.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra supplement.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
. Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0351.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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352 Vehicle Care
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message and it
comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the OIL LIFE
REMAINING 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
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
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
Lubricants 0447.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 438. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0447.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level,
prepare the vehicle: 1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface.
Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about
three seconds in each range.
Then, move the shift lever back
to P (Park).