GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
218 Vehicle Care
1.Battery - North America 0236.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0226.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System 0226.
4. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) 0221 or
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(8-Speed Transmission) 0224.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0218.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0218.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 226.
8. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0225.
9. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid 0233. 10.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0247.
11. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 235.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 233.
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 0220.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0215 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
236 Vehicle Care
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light 0105.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0301.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0215.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0308.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0215 for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
(Continued)
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
Vehicle Care 237
Warning (Continued)
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0212 and the back
cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0284 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt. Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check rear axle fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem. Have it
inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
For axles with the fill plug located
on the back cover of the rear axle,
the proper level is 15 mm to 40 mm
(0.59 to 1.57 in) below the bottom of
the fill hole.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
248 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
3 Right trailer stoplamp/Turnlamp
4 –
5 –
6 Fuel system control module/Ignition
7 Body control module 5
8 Body control module 7
9 Body control module 4
10 Instrument cluster
11 Trailer wiring
12 –
13 Interior rear vision camera module
14 Windshield washer Fuses
Usage
16 Horn
17 Transmission
18 A/C
19 Engine control module battery
20 Cutaway/Left stoplamp/Turnlamp
21 Left trailer stoplamp/Turnlamp
22 Cutaway/Right stoplamp/Turnlamp
23 –
24 Fuel pump
25 Auxiliary power outlet
26 Body control module 3
27 Special equipment option Fuses
Usage
28 Airbag
29 Steering wheel sensor
30 Engine control module Ignition
31 Transmission control module
Ignition
32 Transmission control module 1
battery/Engine
control module
battery power (gas
6 cyl)
33 Rear parking aid module
34 –
35 –
36 Fuel system control module battery
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
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Vehicle Care 249
FusesUsage
41 Transmission control 2 module
battery power
42 Trailer wiring
43 –
44 Starter solenoid
45 Engine control module/Powertrain
46 AC DC inverter
47 Cooling fan –low
51 Left high-beam headlamp
52 Right high-beam headlamp
53 Left low-beam headlamp
54 Right low-beam headlamp Fuses
Usage
55 Wipers
56 Canister vent solenoid
58 Body control module 2
59 Body control module 1
61 Engine oil solenoid
62 O2 sensor 2
63 –
64 Mass air flow/ Canister vent
65 Ignition/Injectors –odd
66 Daytime running lamps 2
67 Daytime running lamps 1 Fuses
Usage
68 Auxiliary stoplamps
69 External power for trailer
70 Upfitter stoplamps
71 Fuel heater/Flex fuel sensor
72 Body control module 6
73 Lighter/Data link connector
74 Front blower
75 V6 fuel injectors
76 –
77 O2 sensor 1
78 Engine control module/Powertrain
79 Ignition/Injectors –even
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
284 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery - North
America 0236.
If the vehicle battery has run down,
you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
HANDLING.For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0212 and the back
cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
. They contain acid that can
burn you.
. They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
. They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to the vehicle
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Trying to start
the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage
the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can
reach, but be sure the vehicles
are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause a
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
Vehicle Care 285
ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking
brake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
3. Turn the ignition off on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlet. Turn
off the radio and all lamps that
are not needed. This will avoid
sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the
radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations of the other
vehicle.
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to an unpainted metal
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11374214) -
2018 - CRC - 2/2/18
286 Vehicle Care
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
dead battery because this can
cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+)cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery.
Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
7. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the
good battery. Use a remote
negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the
negative (−) cable does not go
to the dead battery. It goes to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal on the vehicle with the
dead battery. On your van, use
the unpainted radio antenna
bracket as a remote
negative (−) terminal.
8. Connect the other end of the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal location
on the vehicle with the dead
battery. On your van, use the
unpainted radio antenna
bracket as a remote
negative (−) terminal.
Caution
The vehicle uses the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (-) terminal.
Move the antenna coaxial cable
(Continued)