GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
368 Vehicle Care Replacing Brake System Parts Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 345 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
.
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{ Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0 152 .
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0 448 .
Checking Brake Fluid Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0 345 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 369
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 0 456 .{ WarningThe 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.
CautionIf 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
0 345 for battery location.{ WarningWARNING: 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
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0 343 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
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
370 Vehicle Care Warning (Continued)not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0 426 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.
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to Maintenance Schedule
0 448 to determine when to check
the lubricant. 1. Fill Plug
2. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug (1) hole, located on the
transfer case, some lubricant will
need to be added. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the fill plug (1) hole. Use
care not to overtighten the plug. When to Change Lubricant
Refer to Maintenance Schedule
0 448 to determine how often to
change the lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0 456 to determine what
kind of lubricant to use.
Front Axle When to Check and Change
Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check front axle fluid unless a leak
is suspected, or an unusual noise is
heard. 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.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
374 Vehicle Care .
Removal of the fan shroud,
if equipped.
Air Intake:
.
Removal of the air cleaner
silencer.
.
Modification of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:
.
Removal of the muffler and/or
resonator.
.
Removal of the exhaust pipes
and exhaust pipe clamps.
Starter Switch Check
{ Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Apply both the parking brake
and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each
gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{ Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured. 1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be
ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check While parked and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition off
in each shift lever position.
.
The ignition should turn off only
when the shift lever is in
P (Park).
.
The ignition key should come
out only when the ignition is off.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 375Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{ WarningWhen you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.
To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.
To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and
type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0 458 . CautionAllowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage
the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not allow
the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper
assembly away from the
windshield.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
376 Vehicle Care
2. Press the button (2) in the
middle of the wiper arm
connector, and pull the wiper
blade away from the arm
connector (1).
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Reverse Steps 1 – 3 for wiper
blade replacement.
Windshield Replacement Driver Assistance Systems
If the windshield needs to be
replaced and the vehicle is
equipped with a front camera sensor
for the Driver Assistance Systems, a GM replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement
windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
proper alignment. If it is not, these
systems may not work properly, they
may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for
proper windshield replacement.
Gas Strut(s) This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in
lifting and holding open the hood/
trunk/liftgate system in full open
position.
{ Warning
If the gas struts that hold open
the hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail,
you or others could be seriously
injured. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service immediately.
Visually inspect the gas struts for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to
(Continued) Warning (Continued) make sure the hood/trunk/liftgate
is held open with enough force.
If struts are failing to hold the
hood/trunk/liftgate, do not
operate. Have the vehicle
serviced.
CautionDo not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do
not push down or pull on gas
struts. This may cause damage to
the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0 448 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
378 Vehicle Care
Bulb Replacement For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, or any bulb changing
procedure not listed in this section,
contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{ WarningHalogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting
{ Warning
The High Intensity Discharge
(HID) lighting system operates at
a very high voltage. If you try to
(Continued) Warning (Continued) service any of the system
components, you could be
seriously injured. Have your
dealer or a qualified technician
service them.
After an HID headlamp bulb has
been replaced, the beam might be a
slightly different shade than it was
originally. This is normal.
LED Lighting This vehicle has several LED lamps.
For replacement of any LED lighting
assembly, contact your dealer. Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps
1. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn
Signal Lamp
2. Back-Up Lamp
3. Sidemarker Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the tailgate.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 389
Wheels and Tires Tires Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{ Warning.
Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous..
Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much
flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious
crash. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0 248 .
(Continued) Warning (Continued) .
Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently
to maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold. .
Overinflated tires are
more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact — such
as when hitting a pothole.
Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
.
Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the
tread is badly worn,
replace them.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) .
Replace any tires that
have been damaged by
impacts with potholes,
curbs, etc. .
Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an
authorized tire service
center should repair,
replace, dismount, and
mount the tires. .
Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
All-Season Tires This vehicle may come with
all-season tires. These tires are
designed to provide good overall