2018 GMC SIERRA DENALI oil temperature

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
360 Vehicle Care
6.0L V8 Engine
1. Coolant Surge Tank
2. Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
3. Engine Belt-Driven Cooling
Fan (Out of View)
{ Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan. { WarningDo not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving 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 0 363 . What to Use
{ WarningPlain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an 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. 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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 361.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
CautionDo not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health. Checking Coolant The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 345 .
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
5.3L V8 Shown, 4.3L V6, 6.0L V8,
and 6.2L V8 Similar
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, wait until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above the full cold mark. If it is not, there
may be a leak in the cooling
system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the full cold
mark, see “ How to Add Coolant to
the Coolant Surge Tank for Gasoline
Engines, ” following.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see “ Cooling System ” in the
Duramax diesel supplement for the
proper coolant fill procedure.
{ Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
362 Vehicle Care
{ WarningPlain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{ WarningSteam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool. WarningFailure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant.
Light-Duty
Coolant Surge
Tank
Pressure Cap Heavy-Duty
Coolant Surge
Tank
Pressure Cap
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper mixture to the full
cold mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90 °C (195 °F).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
full cold mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap
tightly.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
364 Vehicle Care If there is an engine overheat
warning, but no steam is 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 Trailer Towing
0 307 .
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn the air conditioning 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 temperature overheat 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 and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message displays, an
overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps to prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Caution
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 365Caution (Continued)attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0 350 .
Engine Fan If the vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan, when the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch disengages.
This fan noise may also be heard
when starting the engine. It will go
away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
If the vehicle has electric cooling
fan(s), the fans may be heard
spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
high outside temperatures,
or operation of the air conditioning
system, the fans may change to
high speed and an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and indicates that the cooling
system is functioning properly. The
fans will change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
The electric engine cooling fans
may run after the engine has been
turned. off. This is normal and no
service is required. Power Steering Fluid
(1500 Series) The vehicle has electric power
steering and does not use power
steering fluid.
Power Steering Fluid
(2500/3500 Series)
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 345 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
440 Vehicle Care Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
1500 Series vehicles, at least every
other oil change lubricate the outer
tie rod ends.
2500/3500 Series vehicles, at least
every other engine oil change
lubricate the upper and lower
control arm ball joints. Control arm
ball joints on 1500 series vehicles
are maintenance-free.
2500/3500 Series vehicles equipped
with steering linkage, at least every
other engine oil change lubricate the
tie rod ball joints, idler arm pivot
shaft bearings, idler arm socket, and
pitman arm socket. CautionLubrication of applicable steering/
suspension points should not be
done unless the temperature is
− 12 °C (10 °F) or higher,
or damage could result.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.
Body Component Lubrication Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect. If equipped
with power assist steps, extend
them and then use a high pressure
wash to clean all joints and gaps.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
494 Index D Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 472
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 478
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 477
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Diagnostics
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 464
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 288
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158, 160
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 292
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Driving (cont'd)
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 33
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 245
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 247
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
E E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 381
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385, 386
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358 Engine (cont'd)
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 345
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 143
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 265
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 477
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 176

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Index 495Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 178
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
F Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 180
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 126
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Fluid
Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 354, 357
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Four-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 Fluid (cont'd)
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 294
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 272, 370
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 153
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 65
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 156
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 264
Requirements, California . . . . . 300 Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 381
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385, 386
G Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Gauges
Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 143
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Transmission Temperature . . . . 145
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 446
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303