2022 GMC SIERRA engine overheat

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
Vehicle Care 355
8. At the same time, press the acceleratorand the brake for automatic vehicles for
two seconds, then release.
9. Listen for pump activation and movement of the control valves while
watching the level of the coolant in the
surge tank. Add fluid as the level drops
below the indicated mark on the surge
tank. Allow 15 minutes for the fill and air
removal process to complete.
10. Reinstall the surge tank cap.
If the tank empties, turn the ignition off,
allow the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to
go to sleep, about two minutes, refill to the
indicated mark, and repeat Steps 5–9.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank for Gasoline Engines
Except L3B
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“Cooling System” in the Duramax diesel
supplement for the proper coolant fill
procedure.
{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,
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 no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant.
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 full cold mark.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
356 Vehicle Care
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure capoff, start the engine and let it run until
the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates approximately 90 °C (195 °F).
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the indicated mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the coolant is cold.
If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
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 the Duramax 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 several indicators to warn of
engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature gauge in the
vehicle's instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0115.
In addition, there are ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 445.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface. 2.7L L4, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, the
fans should be running. If they are not, do
not continue to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
If the engine or transmission detects an
impending hot fluid condition, then the
transmission may force upshifts to limit
temperatures. Downshifts may also be
prevented in this instance. Normal operation
may continue unless the display indicates
there is a hot condition and engine should
be idled.
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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
Vehicle Care 357
If No Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or
the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious problem.
The 2.7L L4 engine will shut down
automatically if the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE message displays.
If there is an engine overheat warning, but
no steam is 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; seeTrailer Towing0313.
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or
the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of steam, try
this for a minute or so: 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 temperature overheat 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 and the
vehicle is equipped with an engine driven
cooling fan, push down the accelerator until
the engine speed is about twice as fast as
normal idle speed for at least five minutes
while the vehicle is parked. If the warning is
still there, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine
for five minutes while parked. If the warning
is still displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and
the ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message
displays, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps to
prevent engine damage. In this mode, a loss
in power and engine performance will be
noticed. This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Driving extended distances and/
or towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
If the engine or transmission detects an
impending hot fluid condition, then the
transmission may force upshifts to limit
temperatures. Downshifts may also be
prevented in this instance. Normal operation
may continue unless the display indicates
there is a hot condition and engine should
be idled.
Caution
After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, the engine oil
will be severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is cool may
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
464 Index
Door (cont'd)Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . 128, 130
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 309
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198E
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 370
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . 373, 375
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 119
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . 125
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Overheated ProtectionOperating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Engine (cont'd)
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . .154
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-15883563) - 2022 - CRC - 11/19/21
468 Index
Navigation (cont'd)Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Navigation Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . 454
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Operating Mode Overheated Engine Protection . . . . . . . . . 357
Operation Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Outlets
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 157 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 228
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283, 291
Parking Brake and P (Park) MechanismCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . 118
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . 202
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Phone
Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182, 183
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174, 175, 178
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . . . . 340
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Positioning Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Problems with Route Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361, 407, Back Cover