GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
336 Driving and Operating Warning (Continued) (20-25 mph) and fully apply
the manual trailer brake
apply lever. Also check that
the trailer brake lamps and
other lamps are functioning
correctly.
.
If the trailer brakes are not
operating properly at any
time, or if a DIC message
indicates problems with the
trailer connections or trailer
brakes, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of
the road when traffic
conditions allow. Conversions and
Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{ WarningThe Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0 150 .
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle ’ s
systems. CautionSome electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0 90 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 90 .
For information on wiring auxiliary
switches, see www.gmupfitter.com
or contact your dealer.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 341
Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 342
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements . . . . . 343
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 353
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 354
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 357
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 358
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 363
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Battery - North America . . . . . . 369
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 373
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 374
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 375
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 375
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 376
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Electrical System High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Electrical System Overload . . . 380
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 381
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Wheels and Tires Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 391
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 343
California Proposition
65 Warning
{ WarningMost motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0 369
and Jump Starting - North America
0 426 and the back cover. California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0 90 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
346 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North America
0 426 .
2. Battery - North America 0 369 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0 359 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0 358 .
5. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“ How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid ” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0 354
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 357 . 6. Remote Negative ( – ) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0 426 .
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System
0 359 .
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 .
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 . 10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0 368 .
11. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid
0 366 .
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0 381 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
348 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North America
0 426 .
2. Battery - North America 0 369 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0 359 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0 358 .
5. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“ How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid ” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0 354
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 357 . 6. Remote Negative ( – ) Location
(Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0 426 .
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System
0 359 .
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 .
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 . 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid
0 366 .
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0 368 .
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0 381 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
350 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North America
0 426 .
2. Battery - North America 0 369 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0 359 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0 358 .
5. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“ How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid ” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) 0 354
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed Transmission)
0 357 .
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 .
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil 0 350 .
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). See Cooling System
0 359 . 9. Remote Negative ( – ) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0 426 .
10. Power Steering Fluid
Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) 0 365 or
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) 0 365 .
11. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid
0 366 .
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0 368 .
13. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped).
See Battery - North America
0 369 .
14. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0 381 .
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 0 353 .
.
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/
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.