2022 GMC SIERRA engine coolant

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Instruments and Controls 125
The light may also flash when ABS is active.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) 0245.
Trailer Sway Control Light (Uplevel
Cluster)
This light will flash when Trailer Sway
Control is active. See Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) 0327.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature warning
light indicates that the vehicle has
overheated. Driving with this light on can
damage the engine and it may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating 0356.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on when the engine has
overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. See Engine
Overheating 0356.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Normal Mode is
selected.
This light comes on when Sport Mode is
selected.
This light comes on when Snow Mode is
selected.
This light comes on when Terrain Mode is
selected.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
132 Instruments and Controls
Brake Pad Life :Displays an estimate of the
remaining life of the front and rear brake
pads. Messages will display based on brake
pad wear and the state of the system. Reset
the Brake Pad Life display after replacing the
brake pads. See Brake Pad Life System
0 359.
Air Filter Life : Shows an estimate of the
remaining engine air filter’s life and the
state of the system. Engine Air Filter Life
95% means 95% of the current air filter life
remains. Messages will display based on the
engine air filter life and the state of the
system. When the REPLACE SOON message
displays, the engine air filter should be
replaced at the earliest convenience.
The Air Filter Life display must be reset after
the engine air filter replacement. To reset,
see Engine Air Filter Life System 0351.
Trailer Brake : On vehicles with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC)
system, the trailer brake display appears in
the DIC.
TRAILER GAIN shows the trailer gain setting.
This setting can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with either a trailer connected or
disconnected. OUTPUT shows the power output to the
trailer any time a trailer with electric brakes
is connected. Output is displayed as a bar
graph. Dotted lines may appear in the
OUTPUT display if a trailer is not connected.
Off Road :
If equipped, displays vehicle pitch
and roll information, road wheel angle, and
four-wheel drive (4WD) status. If the vehicle
has low traction, a low traction indicator
and the wheels affected will display amber
in the Off-Road page.
Engine Hours (Hourmeter) : Shows the total
number of hours the engine has run. This
display also shows the engine idle hours.
Average Speed : Displays the average
vehicle speed in kilometers per hour (km/h)
or miles per hour (mph). This average is
based on the various vehicle speeds
recorded since the last reset. Reset the
average speed by pressing the thumbwheel
while this display is active to show a
confirmation window to select Yes or No.
Transmission Fluid Temperature : Shows the
temperature of the automatic transmission
fluid in either degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F). Coolant Temperature :
Shows the engine
coolant temperature in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Oil Temperature : Shows the engine oil
temperature in either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Oil Pressure : Shows the current oil pressure
in either kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds per
square inch (psi).
Info Page Options : Scroll to choose which
info pages appear on the DIC. Press the
thumbwheel to select or deselect.
Blank Page : Shows no information.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{Warning
If the HUD image is too bright or too
high in your field of view, it may take
you more time to see things you need to
see when it is dark outside. Be sure to
keep the HUD image dim and placed low
in your field of view.
If equipped with HUD, some information
about the operation of the vehicle is
projected onto the windshield. The image is
projected through the HUD lens on top of

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Driving and Operating 311
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 the 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 0356.
Viewing Systems
If equipped, the viewing systems on the
vehicle can improve visibility while hitching,
backing, and driving with a trailer. See
Driver Assistance Systems 0282.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Driving and Operating 339
Caution
If the vehicle does not have the snow
plow prep package, RPO VYU, adding a
plow can damage the vehicle, and the
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Unless the vehicle was
built to carry a snow plow, do not add
one to the vehicle. If the vehicle has RPO
VYU, then the payload the vehicle can
carry will be reduced when a snow plow
is installed. The vehicle can be damaged
if either the front or rear axle ratings or
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
are exceeded.
The plow the vehicle can carry depends on
many things, such as:
.The options the vehicle came with, and
the weight of those options.
.The weight and number of passengers to
be carried.
.The weight of items added to the vehicle,
like a tool box or truck cap.
.The total weight of any additional cargo
to be carried.
To safely carry a snow plow on the vehicle:
.With a snow plow attached, the engine
coolant temperature gauge may show a
higher temperature than while driving
without one. The snow plow could block
the airflow to the radiator. This could be
more noticeable as vehicle speed
increases. At speeds above 72 km/h
(45 mph), this may cause the engine
coolant to overheat. Move or angle the
snow plow blade to allow increased
airflow to the radiator.
.To increase the airflow, move the snow
plow blade position.
.If driving more than 24 km/h (15 mi),
angle the plow blade position.
.Make sure the weight on the front and
rear axles does not exceed the axle rating
for each.
.Follow the snowplow manufacturer’s
recommendations for any rear ballast that
may be required. Rear ballast may be
required to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio even though the
actual weight at the front axle may be
less than the front axle rating.
.The snowplow manufacturer or installer
can assist in determining the amount of
rear ballast required to ensure that the
vehicle with the attached snowplow does not exceed the GVW rating, the front and
rear axle ratings, or the front and rear
weight distribution ratio (refer to the GM
Upfitter Manual).
Front axle reserve capacity is the difference
between the Front Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) and the front axle weight of
the vehicle with full fuel, passengers, and
any other cargo. This is the amount of
weight that can be added to the front axle
before reaching the Front GAWR.
To calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to
the front axle, use this formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory
is adding to the front axle.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
346 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0407.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0407.
3. Battery - North America 0361.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0370.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0352.
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0348.
7. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0348.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0352.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0351.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 360.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0358.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Vehicle Care 347
5.3L V8 Engine (L84) Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine (L87) Similar
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. See Jump
Starting - North America 0407.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0407.
3. Battery - North America 0361.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0370. 5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0348.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0352.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0348. 8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System 0352.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0351.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 360.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Vehicle Care 353
2.7L L4 Engine (L3B)
5.3L V8 Engine (L84) Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine(L87) Similar
1. Engine Electric Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{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, radiator, a/c pipes
or 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, see
Engine Overheating 0356.
What to Use
{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.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. 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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
354 Vehicle Care
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.
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, or by 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 coolant surge tank is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview
0 345.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
All Engines
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, wait until it
cools down. The coolant level should be at
or above the indicated mark. If it is not,
there may be a leak in the cooling system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the indicated mark, see the
following sections on how to add coolant to
the coolant surge tank following.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions (L3B Engine)
This feature assists in filling and removing
air from the cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is added after
being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process: 1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap; slowly
counterclockwise about one full turn. 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 slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the indicated mark.
4. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
5. Set the ignition to service mode, see Ignition Positions 0222.
6. Turn off the air conditioning.
7. Set the parking brake.