GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the ignition on and then off.
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
. The key is in the ignition.
. The hood is open.
. The hazard warning flashers
are on.
. There is an emission control
system malfunction. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 092.
. The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote starts or a start with
an extension have already been
provided.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park).
To turn on or off, see Vehicle
Personalization 0104.Door Locks
{Warning
.
Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a
door is locked, the handle
will not open it. The chance
of being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are
not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
seat belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
. Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by
extreme heat and can suffer
permanent injuries or even
death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle
whenever leaving it.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
To lock the door from the inside,
slide the manual lever on the door
down. To unlock the door, slide the
manual lever up.
From the outside, use the key.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
78 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 79
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 79
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 80
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . 88
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . 90
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 92
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . 92
Brake System Warning Light . . . 94
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 96
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . 96
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 98
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 104
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 104
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 104
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
88 Instruments and Controls
.The gauge does not go back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
The oil pressure gauge shows the
engine oil pressure in psi (pounds
per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals)
when the engine is running.
Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the
normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone
may be caused by a dangerously
low oil level or other problem
causing low oil pressure.
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Instruments and Controls 97
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0177.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0262. When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0264.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
200 Driving and Operating
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule0304. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 234.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly. The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Vehicle Care 213
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 214
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 215
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 224
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 227
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 228
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 235
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Battery - North America . . . . . . 239
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 240
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 241
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 242
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 243
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 243
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 244
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 244
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . 246
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 247
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 247 Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 248
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . 252
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 256
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Dual Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 273
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
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.