
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Vehicle Care 197
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.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake linings are worn and
new linings are needed. The sound can come
and go or can be heard all the time when
the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash. When the
brake wear warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
linings could result in costly brake
repairs.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up following several
applications. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake linings for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0258.
Brake pads should be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts with
new, approved replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not work
properly. The braking performance can
change in many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled
with DOT 3 brake fluid. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0180 for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake
fluid level in the reservoir may go down:

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
250 Service and Maintenance
help the longevity and efficient operation of
the air conditioning system. This service can
be complex. See your dealer.
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.
SeeTire Rotation 0220.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change engine
oil and filter, and reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0184 and
Engine Oil Life System 0186.
.Check engine coolant level. See Cooling
System 0191.
.Check windshield washer fluid level. See
Washer Fluid 0196.
.Check tire inflation pressures, including
the spare. See Tire Pressure0216.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection
0 220.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0189.
.Inspect brake system. See Exterior Care
0 241.
.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 Care0241.
.Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
.Visually inspect halfshafts and drive
shafts for excessive wear, lubricant leaks,
and/or damage including: tube dents or
cracks, constant velocity joint or universal
joint looseness, cracked or missing boots,
loose or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness, loose or
missing fasteners, and axle seal leaks.
.Check restraint system components. See
Safety System Check 035.
.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 0241.
.Check starter switch. See Starter Switch
Check 0200.
.Check automatic transmission shift lock
control function. See Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check 0201.
.Check ignition transmission lock. See
Ignition Transmission Lock Check 0201.
.Check parking brake and automatic
transmission park mechanism. See Park
Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 201.
.Check accelerator pedal for damage, high
effort, or binding. Replace if needed.
.Lubricate the steering linkage (greasable
joints). See Normal and Severe
Maintenance Schedules. For severe
commercial use vehicles, see Special
Application Services 0253.
.Visually inspect the spare tire to ensure
that it is tightly stowed under the vehicle.
Push, pull, and try to turn the tire. If the
spare tire moves, tighten as necessary.
See Tire Changing 0228.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Service and Maintenance 255
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 the maintenance schedule section in
the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not listed here, 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.
Chassis Lubrication, Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis 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
0 191.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0184.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer. Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid. See your dealer. Rear Axle See your dealer.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Index 283
CompartmentsStorage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Control Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . 147
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 267
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Customer Information Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 269
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 262
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Door Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sliding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Driving
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 160
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
E
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 206
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 76
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
284 Index
Engine (cont'd)Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Enhanced Technology Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . 95
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . 186, 189
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . .154
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 160
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Fuel (cont'd)
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 206
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
G
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 70
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Index 285
General Information (cont'd)Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Glass, Enhanced Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 91
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Heater Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 121, 122
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 29 HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 121, 122
I
Idle System
Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . 201
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 47
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . 236
K
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Lamps
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 95
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Malfunction Indicator (Check
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Lamps, Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 58
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Lighter, Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Lights
Airbag On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74