2020 GMC SAVANA Owner's Manual

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
216 Vehicle Care
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 053.
If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle
Start 012.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0315.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
Turn the vehicle off before
opening the hood. If the engine is
running with the hood open, you
or others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can
get hot from running the engine.
To help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch
these components until they have
cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening. To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary
release lever under the front
center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever
upward to release.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Vehicle Care 217
3. Lift the hood and release thehood prop rod from its retainer,
in the front of the engine
compartment. Securely insert
the rod end into the slot
marked with an arrow, on the
underside of the hood. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly, and all tools are
removed.
2. Lift the hood and remove the hood prop rod from the
underside of the hood. Return
the prop rod to its retainer. The
prop rod must click into place
when returning it to the retainer
to prevent hood damage.
3. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release
it. Check to make sure the
hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with
additional force if necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the
hood is not latched completely.
The hood could open fully, block
your vision, and cause a crash.
You or others could be injured.
Always close the hood completely
before driving.
Engine Compartment
Overview
For diesel engine vehicles, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
218 Vehicle Care
4.3L V6 Engine

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Vehicle Care 219
1.Battery - North America 0239.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0229.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System 0229.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 229.
5. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0228.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221. 8. Power Steering Fluid
Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid 0235.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0248.
10. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 238.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 236.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
220 Vehicle Care
6.0L V8 Engine

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Vehicle Care 221
1.Battery - North America 0239.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0229.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System 0229.
4. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) 0224 or
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(8-Speed Transmission) 0227.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 229.
8. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0228.
9. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid 0235. 10.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0248.
11. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 238.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 236.
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 0223.
. 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
0217 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-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
222 Vehicle Care
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
4.3L V6 Engine
6.0L V8 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0317.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If the oil level is
above the operating range (i.e.,
the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range), the
engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 217 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Vehicle Care 223
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0312.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty. Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
−29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which