
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Introduction 3
9:Dispose of Used Components Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock Location
+:Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child Restraints
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers Properly
Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7:Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V: Vehicle Ahead Indicator

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Instruments and Controls 65
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 73
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . 79
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . 81
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment
For vehicles with a tilt steering wheel, the
lever is located on the left side of the
steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever to move the steering wheel up or down into a comfortable
position.
2. Release the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Instruments and Controls 71
Instrument Cluster
English Shown, Metric Similar
1.Engine Oil Pressure Gauge 072
2. Speedometer 071
3. Voltmeter Gauge 073
4. Fuel Gauge 071
5. Driver Information Center (DIC) 081
6. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
073If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement for more
information.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in
kilometers per hour (km/h) and miles per
hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has
been driven, in either kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven since the trip
odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset
through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Driver Information Center (DIC) 081.
Fuel Gauge
Metric

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
72 Instruments and Controls
English
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge
indicates about how much fuel is left in
the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel gauge
pointing to the side of the vehicle the fuel
door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the low
fuel light comes on. There still is a little fuel
left, but the vehicle should be refueled soon.
Here are three things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with
the fuel gauge:
.It takes a little more, or less fuel to fill up
than the gauge indicated. For example,
the gauge may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little
more, or less than half the tank's capacity
to fill the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while turning a
corner, speeding up or braking.
.The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is turned on
and goes back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
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.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Instruments and Controls 73
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.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Metric
EnglishThis gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard the
vehicle is working. During a majority of the
operation, the gauge will read 100 °C (210 °F)
or less. If the vehicle is pulling a load or
going up hills, it is normal for the
temperature to fluctuate and approach the
122 °C (250 °F) mark. If the gauge reaches
the 125 °C (260 °F) mark, it indicates that the
cooling system is working beyond its
capacity.
See
Engine Overheating 0194.
Voltmeter Gauge

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
162 Driving and Operating
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally check
that the cargo and trailer are secure and
that the lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.
Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of the
vehicle and trailer will not accelerate as
quickly and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before returning
to the lane. Pass on level roadways. Avoid
passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine
Overheating 0194.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill:

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Vehicle Care 185
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications 0258.
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 0180 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.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0255. 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

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
186 Vehicle Care
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 include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an engine oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life
has been diminished, it indicates that an oil
change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change is not
necessary for up to a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least once a
year and, at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service peoplewho will perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil
regularly over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine oil is
changed so that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System on most
models:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 81.
2. Press and hold
Von the DIC while the
Oil Life display is active. The oil life will
change to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 81. 2. Fully press and release the accelerator
pedal three times within five seconds.
If the display shows 100%, the system is
reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level. The only reason for
fluid loss is a transmission leak or
overheated transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, use the following procedures to
check the fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, it may be necessary to have the
vehicle towed to a dealer and have it
repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule 0249, and
be sure to use the transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 255.