GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
332 Vehicle Care The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0 145 .
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 437 .
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
2.7L L4, 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L
V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{ 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.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem. The 2.7L engine will shut down
automatically if the ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
message displays.
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
0 281 .
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.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Vehicle Care 3333. 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. CautionAfter 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
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0 321 .
Engine Fan 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
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
334 Vehicle Care 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.
Washer Fluid What to Use When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes on
when the washer fluid is low. The
message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0 316 for
reservoir location.
Caution.
Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
(Continued) Caution (Continued) .
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
.
When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.
Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Vehicle Care 365Aspect Ratio :
The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt :
A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead :
The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire :
A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure :
The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 367 . Curb Weight :
The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings :
A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR :
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 209 .
GAWR FRT :
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0 209 . GAWR RR :
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0 209 .
Intended Outboard Sidewall :
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa) :
The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire :
A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index :
An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure :
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
416 Service and Maintenance Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0 376 .
.
Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0 321 and
Engine Oil Life System 0 323 .
.
Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0 327 .
.
Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0 334 .
.
Check tire inflation pressures,
including the spare. See Tire
Pressure 0 367 .
.
Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0 375 .
.
Visually check for fluid leaks.
.
Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 326 . .
Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0 403 .
.
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damage,
including cracks or tears in the
rubber boots, loose or missing
parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See Exterior Care
0 403 . Lubricate the suspension
and steering components at
least every other oil change.
(If equipped with grease fittings)
.
Inspect power steering for
proper attachment, connections,
binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
.
Visually inspect drive shafts for
excessive wear, lubricant leaks
or damage including: tube dents,
cracks, constant velocity joint or
universal joint looseness,
cracked or missing boots, loose
or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness,
missing or loose fasteners. .
Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 0 84 .
.
Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.
Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.
Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0 403 .
.
Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0 343 .
.
Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check 0 343 .
.
Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 343 .
.
Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.
Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Service and Maintenance 425
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts Recommended Fluids and Lubricants This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“ Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ” in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission (6-Speed
Transmission) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (8-Speed
Transmission) DEXRON-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (10-Speed
Transmission) DEXRON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19352619, in
Canada 19352620).
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL coolant.
See Cooling System 0 327 .
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 321 .
Front and Rear Axle Driveshaft
Splines Spline Lubricant, Special Lubricant (GM Part No. 19257121, in
Canada 19257122).
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Index 461Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 148
Check
Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 343
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . 100
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . 117, 120, 121
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 188
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 440
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Connections
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 456
Control
Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Control Light
Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gauge . . 145
Engine Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 190
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 Customer Assistance (cont'd)
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Customer Information
Publications Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
D Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 440
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 446
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 445
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Diagnostics
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 458
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . 250
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
462 Index Door (cont'd)
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 432
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 253
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 160
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . 156
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 260
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 206
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 E E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 152
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 350
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354, 356
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 316
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 144
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 229
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 325
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 445
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 182
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 176
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 178
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185