2022 GMC SAVANA engine overheat

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Driving and Operating 159
5. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply theparking brake and shift into P (Park).
6. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer from the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0245. 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 0187.
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-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
172 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . 173
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 173
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 176
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 194
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 199
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . 209 Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . 212
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 212
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 217
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 219
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 219
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 220
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
184 Vehicle Care
6.6L V8 Engine
1. Radiator Pressure Cap
2. Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for
5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine Overheating 0187.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Vehicle Care 185
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant recovery tank. If the coolant inside
the coolant recovery tank is boiling, do not
do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the indicated mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant recovery
tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
The coolant recovery tank cap has this
symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at or above the COLD FILL mark.
If it is not, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take
the vehicle to a dealer for service.
How to Add Coolant to the Recovery
Tank for Gasoline Engines
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Steam 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,(Continued)

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
186 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the coolant
recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
{Warning
Steam 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, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If coolant is needed, add the proper mixture
directly to the radiator, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is done.
1. Remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system, including the
radiator pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise until it first
stops. Do not press down while turning
the pressure cap.
If a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the
pressure cap. 3. Fill the radiator with the proper mixture,
up to the base of the filler neck. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0251 for more information about the
proper coolant mixture.
4. Remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and fill to the COLD FILL mark.
5. Reinstall the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but leave the radiator
pressure cap off.
6. Start the engine and let it run until the upper radiator hose can be felt getting
hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Vehicle Care 187
7. By this time, the coolant level inside theradiator filler neck may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the filler neck.
8. Replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the
pressure cap.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away. The vehicle has an indicator to warn of
engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant temperature
gauge on the vehicle's instrument cluster.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
0 74.
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but instead get
service help right away, see Roadside
Assistance Program 0261.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
See if the engine cooling fan speed increases
when idle speed is doubled by pushing the
accelerator pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
If Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam 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
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be 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.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
188 Vehicle Care
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam: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.
3. 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 engine coolant temperature 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, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed for
at least three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the engine until
it cools down. If the decision is made not to lift the hood,
get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched engine cooling
fan. When the clutch is engaged, the fan
spins faster to provide more air to cool the
engine. In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully engages,
so an increase in fan noise may be heard.
This is normal and should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra
shifts. It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when starting
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0176 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering fluid unless there is a leak
suspected in the system or an unusual noise
is heard. A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Vehicle Care 199
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause the lamps
to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. Have the headlamp wiring
checked right away if the lamps go on and
off or remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the windshield wipers will stop
until the motor cools and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected from
electrical overload, overload due to heavy
snow or ice may cause wiper linkage
damage. Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an electrical
problem and not snow or ice, be sure to get
it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit breakers.
This greatly reduces the chance of damage
caused by electrical problems.
{Danger
Fuses and circuit breakers are marked
with their ampere rating. Do not exceed
the specified amperage rating when
replacing fuses and circuit breakers. Use
of an oversized fuse or circuit breaker can
result in a vehicle fire. You and others
could be seriously injured or killed.
{Warning
Installation or use of fuses that do not
meet GM’s original fuse specifications is
dangerous. The fuses could fail, and result
in a fire. You or others could be injured
or killed, and the vehicle could be
damaged.
See Accessories and Modifications 0173 and
General Information 0173.
To check or replace a blown fuse, see
Electrical System Overload 0198.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The fuse block is in the engine compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle.
Vehicles with Upfitter Content
See www.gmupfitter.com for upfitter
provisions and best practices.
Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may damage
it. Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.