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Vehicle Care 317
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows:1. Display the oil life percentage on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0131 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 133.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
3. If the display changes to 100%, the system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message and it comes back on when
the vehicle is started and/or the oil
life percentage is near 0%, the engine oil
life system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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. This vehicle is not
equipped with a transmission fluid level
dipstick. There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the transmission fluid in these vehicles. Because this procedure is
difficult, this should be done at the dealer.
Contact the dealer for additional information
or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. See
Publication Ordering
Information 0413.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage the
vehicle, and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always
use the correct automatic transmission
fluid. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0398.
Change the fluid and filter at the scheduled
maintenance intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0394. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0398.
Engine Air Filter Life System
This feature provides the engine air filter’s
remaining life and best timing for a change.
The timing to change and engine air filter
depends on driving and environmental
conditions.
When to Change Engine Air Filter
When the Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays a message to replace the engine air
filter at the next oil change, follow this
timing.
When the DIC displays a message to replace
the engine air filter soon, replace the engine
air filter at the earliest convenience.
The system must be reset after the engine
air filter is changed.
If the DIC displays a message to check the
engine air filter system, see your dealer.
How to Reset Engine Air Filter Life
System
To reset:
1. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Display the Air Filter Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 133.
3. Press
Ton the steering wheel, or press
the trip odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have the DIC controls,
to move to the Reset/Disable display
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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322 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 408.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface.
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.
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.
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; see Trailer Towing0280.
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
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Vehicle Care 323
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 operationmay 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
cause engine damage. Allow the engine
to cool before attempting any repair.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change
the oil, and reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil
0314.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
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 0313 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
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396 Service and Maintenance
‐Any vehicle consistently operated in a
high sand or dust environment such as
those used on oil pipelines and similar
applications.
.Vehicles that are regularly used for short
trips of 6 km (4 mi) or less.
The oil life indicator will show you when
to change the oil and filter. Under severe
conditions the indicator may come on
before 12 000 km (7,500 mi).
* Footnote: Under extreme driving
conditions listed above, it may be
necessary to replace your spark plugs at
more frequent intervals. For further
assistance in determining the most
suitable service maintenance intervals for
your vehicle, please contact your
authorized GM Dealer.
Extreme service is for vehicles mainly
driven off-road in four-wheel drive or used
in farming, mining, forestry, or snow
plowing.
Additional Required Services –Severe
Service
Every 40 000 km (25,000 mi)
.Change transfer case fluid, if equipped
with 4WD. Do not directly power wash
the transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water can
overcome the seals and contaminate the
transfer case fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer case
and/or axles and should be replaced.
Every 72 000 km (45,000 mi)
.Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter.
Owner Checks and Services
Every Five Years
.Replace brake fluid.
Every Seven Years
.Replace Air Conditioning Desiccant every
seven years. The air conditioning system
requires maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of the
desiccant to help the longevity and
efficient operation of the air conditioning
system. This service can be complex. See
your dealer.
Multi-Point Vehicle
Inspection (MPVI)
A Multi Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)
completed by a GM dealer technician is a
maintenance assessment of your vehicle.
The benefit of the MPVI is to identify and
inform the customer of service items that
require immediate attention and those that
may require attention in the future.
The technician will perform the following
checks on your vehicle. For a complete list
of checks, inspections, and services, see your
dealer.
Some items may not apply to your vehicle
and/or region.
Diagnostics
.OnStar active, if equipped
.Service history/recall check
Engine Oil and Filter
.Engine oil
.Oil life monitor
‐ Reset oil life monitor
Exterior Lights
.Visual inspection
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Service and Maintenance 397
Windshield and Wipers
.Visual inspection
Battery
.Battery visual inspection
.Battery test results
.Battery cables and connections
Systems, Fluids, and Visible Leak
Inspection
.Engine oil
.Transmission
.Drive axle
.Transfer case
.Engine cooling system
.Power steering, if equipped
.Fuel system
.Windshield washer fluid
Tire Inspection
.Tire pressure, tread depth, and wear
.Rotation, if applicable
.Alignment check, optional
.Reset tire pressure monitor
.Check tire sealant expiration date,
if equipped
.Check spare tire, if equipped
Brakes
.Check brake system
Visible and Functional Inspections
.Seat belt components
.Exhaust system
.Accelerator pedal
.Passenger compartment air filter,
if equipped
.Engine air filter
.Hoses
.Belts
.Shocks and struts
.Steering components
.Axle boots or driveshaft and u-joints
.Compartment lift struts, if equipped
.Floor mats secured, no interference with
pedals
.Horn
.Ignition lock, if equipped
.Starter switch
.Evaporative control system
Lubricate
.Chassis components
Special Application Services
.Vehicles with Dual Wheels: Check dual
wheel nut torque at 160, 1 600, and
10 000 km (100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of
driving. Repeat this service whenever a
tire/wheel is serviced or removed.
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only:
Lubricate chassis components every oil
change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See “Underbody Maintenance”
in Exterior Care 0383.
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398 Service and Maintenance
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“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
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 DEXRON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Chassis Lubrication 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
0 319.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1
full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0314.
Front and Rear Axle Driveshaft Splines See your dealer.
Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive) and Rear Axle See your dealer. Hydraulic Brake System DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid. See Brake Fluid0326.
Hydraulic Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid. See your dealer.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood Hinges, Body Door Hinge Pins, Tailgate Hinge and Linkage, Fuel Door Hinge, Tailgate Handle Pivot Points, Hinges, Latch Bolt, and Linkage Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer.
Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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426 Index
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Assistance SystemsAdvanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Automatic EmergencyBraking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) . . . . . . . . . 266
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 270
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) . . . . . . . . . 263
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 164
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Emergency Braking (AEB) DisabledLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . 163
Axle Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
B
BatteryExterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 152
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . .327, 376
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 164
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171, 174
Brake
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Brakes (cont'd)
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Automatic Emergency (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Front Pedestrian (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . 266
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Buckle To Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 333
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
C
Calibration Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . 310
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 1, 376
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Truck Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
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Index 429
Engine (cont'd)Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Extended Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Filter Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Floor Console
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Fog Lamp Light Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 329
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 276
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273, 275
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Fuel (cont'd)
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 337
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . 341, 342
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Transmission Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 111
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276