2007 GMC Sierra Owners Manual

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Rear Wheels) (Manual) 6.6L V8 Diesel (Dual Rear Wheels) (Automatic) *Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. *Trailer rating limited to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) with weight distributing hitch.

23,500 lbs (10 659 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)

15,100 lbs (6 849 kg)

14,900 lbs (6 759 kg)

16,400 lbs (7 439 kg)

15,100 lbs (6 849 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

4.10

3.73

3.73

3.73

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GCWR

4.10
4.10
4.10
4.10
3.73

Maximum Trailer Weight

K-3500 Regular Cab (4WD)* Axle Ratio 6000 V8 Single Rear Wheel 6000 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Single Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 6.6L V8 Single Rear Wheel 6.6L V8 Dual Rear Wheel (Manual) 6.6L V8 Dual Rear Wheel (Automatic) *Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. *Trailer rating limited to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) with weight distributing hitch.

10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg) 15,600 lbs (7 076 kg) 15,400 lbs (6 985 kg) 15,400 lbs (6 985 kg)

16,000 lbs (7 257 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

15,200 lbs (6 895 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

16,700 lbs (7 575 kg)

23,500 lbs (10 659 kg)

3.73

3.73

K-3500 Extended Cab (4WD)* Axle Ratio 6000 V8 Single Rear Wheel 6000 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Single Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 6.6L V8 Single Rear Wheel

4.10
4.10
4.10
4.10
3.73

Maximum Trailer Weight

9,600 lbs (4 354 kg) 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,200 lbs (6 895 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)

GCWR

16,000 lbs (7 257 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

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Maximum Trailer Weight

K-3500 Extended Cab (4WD)* Axle Ratio 6.6L V8 Dual Rear Wheel (Manual) 6.6L V8 Dual Rear Wheel (Automatic) *Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. *Trailer rating limited to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) with weight distributing hitch.

14,800 lbs (6 713 kg)

16,300 lbs (7 394 kg)

GCWR

3.73

3.73

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

23,500 lbs (10 659 kg)

GCWR

Axle Ratio

4.10
4.10
4.10
4.10

Maximum Trailer Weight

9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 9,200 lbs (4 173 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg) 14,800 lbs (6 713 kg)

K-3500 Crew Cab (4WD)* 6000 V8 Single Rear Wheel 6000 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Single Rear Wheel 8100 V8 Dual Rear Wheel 6.6L V8 Diesel Single Rear Wheel 6.6L V8 Diesel Dual Rear Wheel (Manual) 6.6L V8 Diesel Dual Rear Wheel (Automatic) *Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. *Trailer rating limited to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) with weight distributing hitch.

16,000 lbs (7 264 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 264 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

14,700 lbs (6 668 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

14,500 lbs (6 557 kg)

22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)

16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)

23,500 lbs (10 659 kg)

3.73

3.73

3.73

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The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be exceeded. You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet. In Canada, write to:

General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communications Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you have a lot of options, equipment, passengers or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 409 for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

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for your vehicle. See “Weight of the Trailer”, and “Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering” in this section. Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight on the rear axle. After you have loaded the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right by moving some items around in the trailer. Trailering may be limited by the vehicle’s ability to carry tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating). The effect of additional weight may reduce your trailering capacity more than the total of the additional weight.

The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a maximum of 600 lbs (272 kg) for the 1500 or 2500 series, and up to a maximum of 750 lbs (340 kg) for the 2500 HD or 3500 series with a weight carrying hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a maximum of 1,000 lbs (453 kg) for the 1500 series and up to a maximum of 1,500 lbs (680 kg) for the 2500, 2500 HD or 3500 series with a weight distributing hitch. Fifth wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 to 25 percent of the trailer weight up to the maximum amount speciﬁed in the trailering chart

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Consider the following example: A vehicle model base weight is 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs (1 270 kg) at the front axle and 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear axle. It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg), a RGAWR of 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) and a GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). The trailer rating should be:

But let’s say your speciﬁc vehicle is equipped with some of the latest options and you have a front seat passenger and two rear seat passengers with some luggage and gear in the vehicle as well. You may add 300 lbs (136 kg) to the front axle weight and 400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle weight. Your vehicle now weighs:

You can expect tongue weight to be at least 10 percent of trailer weight (850 lbs (386 kg)) and because the weight is applied well behind the rear axle, the effect on the rear axle will be greater than just the weight itself, as much as 1.5 times as much. The weight at the rear axle could be 850 lbs (386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg). Since the rear axle already weighs 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg), adding 1,275 lbs (578 kg) brings the total to 3,975 lbs (1 803 kg). This is very close to, but within the limit for RGAWR as well. The vehicle is set to trailer up to 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).

Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you may think that you should subtract 700 additional pounds (318 kg) from your trailering capacity to stay within GCWR limits. Your maximum trailer would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go further and think you must limit tongue weight to less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid exceeding GVWR. But, you must still consider the effect on the rear axle. Because your rear axle now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only put 900 lbs (408 kg) on the rear axle without exceeding RGAWR.

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The effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you with being able to handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight. Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent of total loaded trailer weight, you can expect that the largest trailer your vehicle can properly handle is 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg). It is important that you make sure your vehicle does not exceed any of its ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure you are not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh your vehicle and trailer.

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inﬂated to the upper limit for cold tires. You’ll ﬁnd these numbers on the Certiﬁcation label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or see Loading Your Vehicle for more information. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, or the GAWR, including the weight of the trailer tongue. If you use a weight distributing hitch, make sure you don’t go over the rear axle limit before you apply the weight distribution spring bars. Hitches It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.

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Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight Carrying Hitches

A: Body to Ground Distance

B: Front of Vehicle When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch must be adjusted so the distance (A) remains the same both before and after coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

If you use a step-bumper hitch, the bumper could be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure there is ample room when turning to avoid contact between the trailer and the bumper. If you will be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh more than 5,000 lbs (2 270 kg) be sure to use a properly mounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This equipment is very important for proper vehicle loading and good handling when driving. Always use a sway control if the trailer will weigh more than these limits. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers can be used with many pickup models. These trailers place a larger percentage of the weight (kingpin weight) on the tow vehicle than conventional trailers. Make sure this weight does not cause the vehicle to exceed GAWR or GVWR. Fifth wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 to 25 percent of the trailer weight up to the maximum amount speciﬁed in the trailering chart for your vehicle. See “Weight of the Trailer” in this section for more information.

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The hitch should be located in the pickup bed so that it’s centerline is over or slightly in front of the rear axle. Take care that it is not so far forward that it will contact the back of the cab in sharp turns. This is especially important for short box pickups. Trailer pin box extensions and sliding ﬁfth wheel hitch assemblies can help this condition. There should be at least six inches of clearance between the top of the pickup box and the bottom of the trailer shelf that extends over the box. Make sure the hitch is attached to the tow vehicle frame rails. Do not use the pickup box for support. Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. If you are towing a trailer up to 5,000 lbs (2 271 kg) with a factory-installed step bumper, you may attach the safety chains to the attaching points on the bumper. If you are towing a trailer up to your vehicle’s trailer rating limit you may attach the safety chains to the attaching point on the hitch platform. If you are 450

towing with an aftermarket hitch follow the trailer or hitch manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety chains. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg) loaded, then it needs its own brakes – and they must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. Your trailer brake system can tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system only if: (cid:127) The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi

(20 650 kPa) of pressure.

(cid:127) The trailer’s brake system will use less than

0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of ﬂuid from your vehicle’s master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.

If everything checks out this far, make the brake tap at the port on the master cylinder that sends the ﬂuid to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing for this. If you do, it will bend and ﬁnally break off. Use steel brake tubing.

Driving with a Trailer

{CAUTION:

If you have a rear-most window open and you pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or death. See Engine Exhaust on page 174. To maximize your safety when towing a trailer:

(cid:127) Have your exhaust system inspected for leaks, and make necessary repairs before starting on your trip.

(cid:127) Keep the rear-most windows closed.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

CAUTION:

(Continued)

(cid:127) If exhaust does come into your vehicle

through a window in the rear or another opening, drive with your front, main heating or cooling system on and with the fan on any speed. This will bring fresh, outside air into your vehicle. Do not use the climate control setting for maximum air because it only recirculates the air inside your vehicle. See Climate Control System on page 230.

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

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Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. While towing a trailer or when exposed to long periods of sunshine, the ﬂoor of the truck bed may become very warm. Avoid putting items in the truck bed that might be affected by high ambient temperatures. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns.

Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. Making Turns Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering. When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer The arrows on your instrument panel will ﬂash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also ﬂash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument panel will ﬂash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working. Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well. If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the transmission to lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).

You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the transmission shifts too often. See Tow/Haul Mode Light on page 264. If you have a 5-speed manual transmission and you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear). When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following: Engine coolant at or near sea level will boil at a lower temperature than at higher altitudes. If you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground, with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a few minutes before turning the engine off. For manual transmissions, let the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground, with the transmission out of gear and the parking brake applied, for a few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat warning, see Engine Overheating on page 505.

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Parking on Hills

{CAUTION:

You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it: 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into PARK (P) yet for an automatic transmission, or into gear for a manual transmission.

2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer

wheels.

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release

the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.

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4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission.

5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear and not in NEUTRAL.

6. Release the regular brakes.

{CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

CAUTION:

(Continued)

Always put the automatic transmission shift lever fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. If you have a manual transmission, turn the engine off and ﬁrmly set the parking brake. If the transfer case on four-wheel-drive vehicles is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your automatic transmission shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL.

When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal

down while you: (cid:127) Start your engine (cid:127) Shift into a gear (cid:127) Release the parking brake

2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the

chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the

chocks.

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Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See Scheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617 for more information. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission ﬂuid (don’t overﬁll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you ﬁnd them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections before you start your trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight. Trailer Wiring Harness Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in camper. Basic Trailer Wiring All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups have an eight-wire trailer towing harness.

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For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty trailering, the harness is clipped to the vehicle’s frame behind the spare tire mount. The harness requires the installation of a trailer connector, which is available through your dealer. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you can get a jumper harness (electric trailer brake control) with a trailer battery feed fuse from your dealer. If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a standard four-way round pin connector, you can also get an adapter from your dealer.

Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness Package

For vehicles equipped with heavy duty trailering, the harness is connected to the trailer mounted to the hitch platform. The eight-wire harness contains the following trailer circuits: (cid:127) Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal (cid:127) Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal (cid:127) Brown: Taillamps (cid:127) White: Ground

(cid:127) Light Green: Back-up Lamps (cid:127) Light Blue: CHMSL* (cid:127) Red: Battery Feed** (cid:127) Dark Blue: Trailer Brake *The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) wire is tied next to the trailer wiring harness for use with a trailer, slide-in camper or cap. **If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the tow/haul mode button located at the end of the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system voltage and properly charge the battery. If the trailer is too light for tow/haul mode, you can turn on the headlamps as a second way to boost the vehicle system voltage and charge the battery.

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Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package The eight-wire camper harness is located under the front edge of the pickup box on the driver’s side of the vehicle, attached to the frame bracket. A connector will have to be added to the wiring harness which connects to the camper. The eight-wire harness contains the following camper/trailer circuits: (cid:127) Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal (cid:127) Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal (cid:127) Brown: Taillamps (cid:127) White: Ground (cid:127) Light Green: Back-up Lamps (cid:127) Light Blue: Center High-Mounted Stoplamp

(CHMSL)

(cid:127) Red: Battery Feed (cid:127) Dark Blue: Trailer Brake

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If your vehicle is equipped with the “Heavy-Duty Trailering” option, please refer to “Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package” earlier in this section. When the camper-wiring harness is ordered without the heavy-duty trailering package, an eight-wire harness with a seven-pin connector and separate CHMSL connector are located at the rear of the vehicle and are tied to the vehicle’s frame.

Electric Brake Control Jumper

{CAUTION:

Be sure to use only the correct trailer brake harness, the one intended for use on your vehicle. If you use some other trailer brake harness, even if it seems to ﬁt, your trailer brakes may not work at all. You could have a crash in which you or others could be injured. Use only the trailer brake harness intended for your vehicle. If it is no longer available to you, be sure to get a proper replacement from your dealer.

This harness is included with your vehicle as part of the heavy-duty trailer wiring package. This harness is for an electric brake controller and includes a trailer battery feed fuse. It should be installed by your dealer or a qualiﬁed service center.

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Auxiliary Battery The auxiliary battery provision can be used to supply electrical power to additional equipment that you may choose to add, such as a slide-in camper.

If your vehicle has this provision, this relay will be located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, next to the auxiliary battery.

When using this provision, connection should only be made to the upper stud (A) of the relay. Do not make connections to the lower stud (B) of the relay. The auxiliary battery circuit is protected by a megafuse located behind the auxiliary battery. Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions that are included with any electrical equipment that you install.

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Notice: Leaving electrical equipment on for extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn off electrical equipment when not in use and do not use equipment that exceeds the maximum amperage rating for the auxiliary battery provision. Power Winches If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only use it when your vehicle is stationary or anchored.

Trailer Recommendations You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached, so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place. You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes. For more information, see Towing a Trailer on page 429.

Power Take-Off (PTO) Before using a Power Take-Off (PTO), if equipped, refer to the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions. To engage a PTO on a vehicle with a manual transmission do the following: 1. Hold the clutch pedal down. 2. Set the parking brake. 3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 4. Engage the PTO. Refer to the manufacturer’s

or installer’s for instructions on electrically engaged PTOs.

5. For mobile operations, shift the transmission

into the gear you want, apply the regular brakes and release the parking brake. For stationary operations, leave the parking brake applied.

6. Release the clutch and regular brakes as you normally would. When the clutch is released, the PTO will start.

7. Turn the PTO rotary switch to ON.

To engage a PTO on a vehicle with an automatic transmission do the following: 1. For stationary use shift the transmission into

PARK (P).

2. Turn the PTO rotary switch ON. 3. If the engine speed is below the PTO engage

speed limit, the PTO will start. The blinking LED on the PTO control switch indicates PTO engage is requested. When PTO engages the LED will switch from blinking to a steady light.

To use PTO speed control in Preset Mode (Factory Setting) do the following: 1. Engage the PTO. 2. Select PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) range.

Apply the parking brake if NEUTRAL (N) is selected. Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) is not available in NEUTRAL (N) and is available only in PARK (P) when engine speed is above 1,100 rpm.

3. Make sure your foot is off the brake pedal

(and off the clutch on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission).

4. Select the desired engine speed for PTO

operation. Read the following preset mode information regarding operation.

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Preset Mode: PTO speed control mode is used for stationary applications. (PTO will remain engaged while mobile in the preset mode, however PTO set and resume speed controls will be inoperative.) This mode provides a default standby speed of 800 or 850 rpm (depending on the engine/transmission combination) and two default PTO control speeds which follow: 1. PTO Set Speed of 1,250 rpm, or 2. PTO Resume Speed of 1,700 rpm. Please note that the standby speed (800/850 rpm) is not to be used as a PTO control speed. Vehicles not equipped with cruise control will not have the resume speed capability. To use PTO speed control in variable mode (while mobile) do the following: 1. Engage the PTO. 2. Vehicle speed must be greater than 5 mph. 3. Make sure your foot is off the brake pedal

(and off the clutch for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission).

4. Select the desired engine speed by using the foot pedal, and select SET on the PTO switch or the cruise control.

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To use PTO speed control in variable mode (while stationary) do the following: 1. Engage the PTO. 2. Vehicle speed must be less than 5 mph. 3. Make sure your foot is off the brake pedal

(and off the clutch for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission).

4. Select the desired engine speed by using the foot pedal, and select SET on the PTO switch or the cruise control.

Variable Mode: PTO speed control mode can be used for both stationary and mobile applications. This mode allows PTO to be controlled in a fashion similar to how cruise control sets vehicle speed. The operator can set to an rpm (between 800 and 2,200) with the cruise control feature or with the SET position on the PTO switch. The operator is then able to increase rpm in increments of 100, or “tap up” with the resume position on the cruise control. The operator can also decrease rpm in increments of 100 with the SET switch on the PTO or the cruise control. Vehicles not equipped with cruise control will not have the “tap up” capability.

All engine speed values listed above are factory preset values. With the exception of the TCC lockup speed (1,100 rpm) and the “tap” increment (100 rpm), all of these values are programmable and can be adjusted by your dealer or body upﬁtter. If the PTO software settings do not match the settings shown here, then they may have already been altered in order to satisfy the requirements of the installed PTO system and body equipment. When the PTO switch is turned on, the engine is limited to 2,200 rpms. If there are no accessories installed on the vehicle, make sure the PTO switch is turned off.

Step-Bumper Pad Your vehicle has a rear step bumper with a rear step pad at the center of the bumper.

If you will be using the bumper to tow a trailer, and your step-bumper has three cutout circles, you must push out the center cutout circle to install the trailer ball.

If your step-bumper has only one cutout circle, you will have to cut out the circle, then remove it to install the trailer ball.

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✍ NOTES

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Section 5

Service and Appearance Care

Service ........................................................ 468
Accessories and Modiﬁcations ................... 468
California Proposition 65 Warning .............. 469
Doing Your Own Service Work .................. 469
Adding Equipment to the Outside of

Your Vehicle .......................................... 470
Fuel ............................................................. 470
Gasoline Octane ........................................ 470
Gasoline Speciﬁcations .............................. 471
California Fuel ........................................... 471
Additives ................................................... 472
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) ............................ 473
Fuels in Foreign Countries ........................ 474
Filling the Tank ......................................... 474
Filling a Portable Fuel Container ............... 477
Checking Things Under the Hood .............. 478
Hood Release ........................................... 479
Engine Compartment Overview .................. 480
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) .................... 486
Engine Oil Life System

(Gasoline Engine) .................................. 489

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

(Gasoline Engines) ................................. 491

Automatic Transmission Fluid

(Allison Transmission®) .......................... 494

Automatic Transmission Fluid

(Except Allison Transmission®) ............... 497
Manual Transmission Fluid ........................ 500
Hydraulic Clutch ........................................ 501
Engine Coolant .......................................... 502
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap ............ 505
Engine Overheating ................................... 505
Overheated Engine Protection

Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only) ........ 508
Cooling System ......................................... 508
Engine Fan Noise ..................................... 514
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 515
Windshield Washer Fluid ........................... 516
Brakes ...................................................... 517
Battery ...................................................... 520
Jump Starting ............................................ 521
Rear Axle .................................................... 527
Four-Wheel Drive ........................................ 528
Front Axle ................................................... 529

465

Section 5

Service and Appearance Care

Noise Control System ................................. 531

Tampering with Noise Control System

Prohibited .............................................. 531
Bulb Replacement ....................................... 532
Halogen Bulbs ........................................... 532
Headlamps ................................................ 533
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and

Daytime Running Lamps ........................ 534
Roof Marker Lamps ................................... 535
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)

and Cargo Lamp .................................... 537

Pickup Box Identiﬁcation and Fender

Marker Lamps ........................................ 538

Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and

Back-up Lamps ...................................... 539
License Plate Lamp ................................... 541
Replacement Bulbs ................................... 541
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ....... 542
Tires ............................................................ 543
Tire Sidewall Labeling ............................... 544
Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions ............... 548
Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ............................. 551
Dual Tire Operation ................................... 552

466

Tire Inspection and Rotation ...................... 553
When It Is Time for New Tires .................. 555
Buying New Tires ...................................... 556
Different Size Tires and Wheels ................ 558
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..................... 559
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ............ 560
Wheel Replacement .................................. 560
Tire Chains ............................................... 562
If a Tire Goes Flat .................................... 563
Changing a Flat Tire ................................. 564
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools .......... 566
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing

the Spare Tire ....................................... 571
Secondary Latch System ........................... 580
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ...... 584
Spare Tire ................................................. 588
Appearance Care ........................................ 589
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle .......... 589
Fabric/Carpet ............................................. 590
Leather ...................................................... 591
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other

Plastic Surfaces ..................................... 591
Care of Safety Belts .................................. 592
Weatherstrips ............................................ 592

Section 5

Service and Appearance Care

Washing Your Vehicle ............................... 592
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................ 593
Finish Care ............................................... 593
Windshield and Wiper Blades .................... 594
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ......... 594
Tires ......................................................... 595
Sheet Metal Damage ................................. 595
Finish Damage .......................................... 596
Underbody Maintenance ............................ 596
Chemical Paint Spotting ............................ 596
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ............ 597
Vehicle Identiﬁcation .................................. 598
Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ........... 598
Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label ............... 598

Electrical System ........................................ 599
Add-On Electrical Equipment ..................... 599
Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................ 599
Power Windows and Other Power

Options .................................................. 599
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 600
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ..................... 600
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ......... 602
Underhood Fuse Block .............................. 603
Capacities and Speciﬁcations .................... 609

467

Service Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

Accessories and Modiﬁcations When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance and safety, including such things as, airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control. Some of these accessories may even cause malfunction or damage not covered by warranty. GM Accessories are designed to complement and function with other systems on your vehicle. Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and supported service technicians will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.

468

California Proposition 65 Warning Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems (including some inside the vehicle), many ﬂuids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals.

Doing Your Own Service Work

{CAUTION:

You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it.

(cid:127) Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,

experience, the proper replacement parts, and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. CAUTION:

(Continued)

CAUTION:

(Continued)

(cid:127) Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts,

and other fasteners. English and metric fasteners can be easily confused. If you use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt.

If you want to do some of your own service work, you will want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 657. Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to do your own service work, see Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 108. You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work you perform. See Maintenance Record on page 634.

469

Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can affect the airﬂow around it. This may cause wind noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check with your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle. Fuel If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX® Diesel Supplement. For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this. Gasoline Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, GM recommends the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.

The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number that identiﬁes your engine. You will ﬁnd the VIN at the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) on page 598. If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z), you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also see Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 473. In all other gasoline engines, use only regular unleaded gasoline.

Gasoline Octane For all vehicles, except those with the 6.0L V8
engine (VIN Code N), use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.

470

California Fuel If your vehicle is certiﬁed to meet California Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California speciﬁcations. See the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal speciﬁcations, but emission control system performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 258. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.

If your vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code N), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you may notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.

Gasoline Speciﬁcations At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM speciﬁcation D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). General Motors recommends against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See Additives on page 472 for additional information.

471

Notice: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage the plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under your warranty. Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors recommends against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of the emission control system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for service.

Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that will help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing your emission control system to work properly. In most cases, you should not have to add anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean, or if your vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also, your GM dealer has additives that will help correct and prevent most deposit-related problems. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area. General Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they comply with the speciﬁcations described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels.

472

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number that identiﬁes your engine. You will ﬁnd the VIN at the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) on page 598. If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z only), you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also see Fuel on page 470. In all other engines, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Gasoline Octane on page 470. Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z) may use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). General Motors encourages the use of E85
in vehicles that are designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from renewable sources such as corn and other crops. Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department of Energy has an alternative fuels website (www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/ locator.html) that can help you ﬁnd E85 fuel.

Those stations that do have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content is greater than 85%. At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Speciﬁcation D 5798. To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel must be formulated properly for your climate according to ASTM speciﬁcation D 5798. If you have trouble starting on E85, it may be because your E85 fuel is not properly formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may improve starting. For good starting and heater efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as possible — do not add less than ﬁve gallons (18.9 L) when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.

473

E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you will need to reﬁll your fuel tank more often when using E85 than when you are using gasoline. See Filling the Tank on page 474. Notice: Some additives are not compatible with E85 fuel and may harm your fuel system. Damage caused by additives would not be covered by your new vehicle warranty. Do not use additives with E85 fuel. Notice: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage the plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under your warranty.

Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to ﬁnd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by your warranty.

474

To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you will be driving.

Filling the Tank

{CAUTION:

Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel ﬁre can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the pump island. Turn off your engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, ﬂames, and smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when refueling your vehicle. This is against the law in some places. Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.

{CAUTION:

If you spill fuel and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.

If your vehicle is a dual fuel tank chassis cab model, and it runs out of fuel, refuel the front fuel tank ﬁrst to ensure a quick restart. Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overﬁll the tank and wait a few seconds after you have ﬁnished pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your Vehicle on page 592.

475

The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If the vehicle has E85 fuel capability, a yellow cap with the words ″E85 or gasoline″ can be seen. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on the last turn as you loosen it.

When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on the last turn as you tighten it. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 258. The TIGHTEN FUEL CAP message will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not properly installed. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 270 for more information.

{CAUTION:

If a ﬁre starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ﬂow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant. Leave the area immediately.

If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to

Notice: get the right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not ﬁt properly. This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 258.

476

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

{CAUTION:

Never ﬁll a portable fuel container while it is in your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

(cid:127) Dispense gasoline only into approved

containers.

(cid:127) Do not ﬁll a container while it is inside

a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on any surface other than the ground.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

(cid:127) Bring the ﬁll nozzle in contact with the inside of the ﬁll opening before operating the nozzle. Contact should be maintained until the ﬁlling is complete.

(cid:127) Do not smoke while pumping

gasoline.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

477

Checking Things Under the Hood

{CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

{CAUTION:

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a ﬁre. These include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake ﬂuid, windshield washer and other ﬂuids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.

478

Hood Release To open the hood do the following:

1. Pull the handle with this symbol on it. It is located inside the vehicle to the lower left of the steering wheel.

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up

on the secondary hood release located near the center of the grille.

3. Lift the hood.

Before closing the hood, be sure all the ﬁller caps are on properly. Then pull down the hood and close it ﬁrmly.

479

Engine Compartment Overview When you open the hood on the 4.3L V6 engine, here is what you will see:

480

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air

Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See

Engine Coolant on page 502 and Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.

C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).

See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”

under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick

(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmission®) on page 494 or Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission®) on page 497.

F. Engine Cooling Fan. See Cooling System on

page 508.

G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine

Oil” under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power

Steering Fluid on page 515.

I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See

Jump Starting on page 521.

J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump

Starting on page 521.

K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under

Brakes on page 517.

L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See

Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.

M. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse

Block on page 603.

N. Battery. See Battery on page 520. O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 516.

481

When you open the hood on the 5.3L V8 engine (4.8L and 6.0L V8 engines similar), here is what you will see:

482

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air

Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See

Engine Coolant on page 502 and Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.

C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).

See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”

under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick

(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmission®) on page 494 or Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission®) on page 497.

F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine

Oil” under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

G. Engine Cooling Fan. See Cooling System on

page 508.

H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See

Jump Starting on page 521.

I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power

Steering Fluid on page 515.

J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump

Starting on page 521.

K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under

Brakes on page 517.

L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See

Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.

M. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse

Block on page 603.

N. Battery. See Battery on page 520. O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 516.

483

When you open the hood on the 8.1L V8 engine, here is what you will see:

484

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air

Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See

Engine Coolant on page 502 and Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 505.

C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).

See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on page 491.

D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”

under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick

(If Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmission®) on page 494 or Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission®) on page 497.

F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine

Oil” under Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.

G. Engine Cooling Fan. See Cooling System on

page 508.

H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See

Jump Starting on page 521.

I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump

Starting on page 521.

J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power

Steering Fluid on page 515.

K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under

Brakes on page 517.

L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See

Hydraulic Clutch on page 501.

M. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse

Block on page 603.

N. Battery. See Battery on page 520. O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 516.

485

Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine Oil” in the DURAMAX® Diesel Engine Supplement. If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the instrument cluster, except vehicles that have the 4.3L engine, it means you need to check the engine oil level right away. For more information, see Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 265. You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.

Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 480
for the location of the engine oil dipstick. 1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.

2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper

towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.

486

When to Add Engine Oil

All Except 8.1L Engine

Notice: Do not add too much oil. If 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.

See Engine Compartment Overview on page 480 for the location of the engine oil ﬁll cap.

8.1L Engine

If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, you will need to add at least one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Speciﬁcations on page 609.

Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are through.

487

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use

These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.

Oils meeting these requirements should also have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certiﬁed by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Look for two things: (cid:127) GM6094M

Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M. (cid:127) SAE 5W-30

As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle.

488

You should look for this information on the oil container, and use only those oils that are identiﬁed as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol on the front of the oil container. Notice: Use only engine oil identiﬁed as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American Petroleum Institute Certiﬁed For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by your warranty. GM Goodwrench® oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle.

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature falls below −20°F (−29°C), it is recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide easier cold starting and better protection for the engine at extremely low temperatures. Engine Oil Additives Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good performance and engine protection.

Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) When to Change Engine Oil Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and ﬁlter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 270. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, 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 GM-trained service people who will perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level. If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.

489

What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain elements that may 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 trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your dealer, a service station, or a local recycling center for help.

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change the engine oil and ﬁlter based on vehicle use. Any time the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs where you change the oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset the system. To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the following: 1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the

engine off.

2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal

three times within ﬁve seconds. If the OIL LIFE RESET message displays for 10 seconds, the system is resetting.

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes back on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure. If it still does not reset, see your dealer for service.

490

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Pickup Models” under “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in the DURAMAX® Diesel Supplement for the correct inspection and replacement procedures.

See Engine Compartment Overview on page 480 for the location of the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter and the air ﬁlter restriction indicator, if the vehicle has one.

When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter If your vehicle has an air ﬁlter restriction indicator, it lets you know when the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter needs to be replaced. On vehicles with a restriction indicator, you should inspect the air ﬁlter restriction indicator at every oil change and replace the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter when the indicator tells you to. On vehicles without an air ﬁlter restriction indicator, inspect the air cleaner/ﬁlter at the Maintenance II intervals and replace it at the ﬁrst oil change after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See Scheduled Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617 for more information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the ﬁlter at each engine oil change.

491

How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Vehicles With an Air Filter Restriction Indicator Locate the air ﬁlter restriction indicator on the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter cover. When the indicator turns black or is in the red/orange “change” zone, replace the ﬁlter and reset the indicator. See the steps following to replace the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter and to reset the air ﬁlter restriction indicator. Vehicles Without an Air Filter Restriction Indicator To inspect the air cleaner/ﬁlter, remove the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter from the vehicle using the steps following. When you have the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter removed, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt. If the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter remains caked with dirt, a new ﬁlter is required.

492

Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter and Resetting the Air Filter Restriction Indicator

1. Locate the air cleaner/ﬁlter assembly on the

front corner of the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

2. Loosen the screws on the cover of the

housing and lift up the cover.

3. Remove the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter from the

housing. Care should be taken not to dislodge dirt in the air cleaner.

4. Clean the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter sealing

surfaces and the housing.

5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/ﬁlter.

6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws. 7. Reset the air ﬁlter restriction indicator, if

the vehicle has one, by pressing the button at the end of the indicator.

{CAUTION:

Operating the engine with the air cleaner/ﬁlter off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop ﬂames if the engine backﬁres. If it is not there and the engine backﬁres, you could be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be careful working on the engine with the air cleaner/ﬁlter off.

493

Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmission®) When to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid A good time to check your automatic transmission ﬂuid level is when the engine oil is changed. Change the ﬂuid and ﬁlter at the intervals listed in Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on page 621, and be sure to use the transmission ﬂuid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

494

Notice: Too much or too little ﬂuid can damage your transmission. Too much can mean that some of the ﬂuid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a ﬁre. Too little ﬂuid could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission ﬂuid. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission ﬂuid level if you have been driving: (cid:127) When outside temperatures are above

90°F (32°C).

In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.

(cid:127) At high speed for quite a while. (cid:127) (cid:127) While pulling a trailer. Checking the Fluid Level Prepare your vehicle as follows: 1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the

engine running.

2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift

lever in PARK (P).

4. If the ﬂuid level is within the COLD CHECK

band, the transmission may be operated until the ﬂuid is hot enough to perform a hot check. If the ﬂuid level is not within the COLD CHECK band, add or drain ﬂuid as necessary to bring the level into the middle of the COLD CHECK band.

5. Perform a hot check at the ﬁrst opportunity

after the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached. 6. If the ﬂuid level is in the acceptable range,

push the dipstick back in all the way.

3. With your foot on the brake pedal, run the engine for at least once minute and shift to DRIVE (D). Then shift to NEUTRAL (N) and then REVERSE (R) to ﬁll the hydraulic system. Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).

4. Allow the engine to run at idle (500–800 rpm).

Slowly release the brake pedal.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: Cold Check Procedure The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the transmission has enough ﬂuid to be operated safely until a hot check can be made. The ﬂuid level rises as ﬂuid temperature increases. Do not ﬁll above the COLD CHECK band if the transmission ﬂuid is below normal operating temperatures. 1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean

rag or paper towel.

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds

and then pull it back out again.

3. Check the ﬂuid level reading. Repeat the

check procedure to verify the reading.

495

Hot Check Procedure The ﬂuid must be hot to ensure an accurate check. The ﬂuid level rises as the temperature increases. 1. Operate the transmission in DRIVE (D) range

until the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.

2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean

rag or paper towel.

3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds

and then pull it back out again. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading.

4. Safe operating level is within the

HOT RUN band on the dipstick. The width of the HOT RUN band represents approximately 1.06 quart (1.0 liter) of ﬂuid at normal operating temperature.

5. If the ﬂuid level is not within the

HOT RUN band, add or drain ﬂuid as necessary to bring the ﬂuid level to within 3 the HOT RUN band.

6. If the ﬂuid level is in the acceptable range,

push the dipstick back in all the way.

How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission ﬂuid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. Add ﬂuid only after checking the transmission ﬂuid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If the ﬂuid level is low, add only enough of the proper ﬂuid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take much ﬂuid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overﬁll. Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission ﬂuid may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by your warranty. Always use the automatic transmission ﬂuid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. (cid:127) After adding ﬂuid, recheck the ﬂuid level as described under “How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.

(cid:127) When the correct ﬂuid level is obtained, push

the dipstick back in all the way.

496

Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison Transmission®) When to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid A good time to check your automatic transmission ﬂuid level is when the engine oil is changed. Change the ﬂuid and ﬁlter at the intervals listed in Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on page 621, and be sure to use the transmission ﬂuid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

Notice: Too much or too little ﬂuid can damage your transmission. Too much can mean that some of the ﬂuid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a ﬁre. Too little ﬂuid could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission ﬂuid. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission ﬂuid level if you have been driving: (cid:127) When outside temperatures are above

90°F (32°C).

In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.

(cid:127) At high speed for quite a while. (cid:127) (cid:127) While pulling a trailer. To get the right reading, the ﬂuid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C). Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), drive the vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.

497

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

The transmission dipstick handle with this graphic is located at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

See Engine Compartment Overview on page 480
for more information on location. 1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds

and then pull it back out again.

A cold ﬂuid check can be made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off, but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for ﬁve minutes if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more. If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the ﬂuid level be low during this cold check, you must check the ﬂuid hot before adding ﬂuid. Checking the ﬂuid hot will give you a more accurate reading of the ﬂuid level. Checking the Fluid Level Prepare your vehicle as follows: 1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the

engine running.

2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift

lever in PARK (P).

3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P). 4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes

or more.

498

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the

lower level. The ﬂuid level must be in the COLD area, below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched area for a hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to get an accurate reading.

4. If the ﬂuid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way; then ﬂip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.

How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission ﬂuid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. Add ﬂuid only after checking the transmission ﬂuid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If the ﬂuid level is low, add only enough of the proper ﬂuid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take much ﬂuid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overﬁll. Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission ﬂuid may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by your warranty. Always use the automatic transmission ﬂuid listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 629. (cid:127) After adding ﬂuid, recheck the ﬂuid level as described under “How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.

(cid:127) When the correct ﬂuid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way; then ﬂip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.

499

Manual Transmission Fluid When to Check Manual Transmission Fluid A good time to have your manual transmission ﬂuid checked is when the engine oil is changed. See Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine) on page 621 to ﬁnd out when to change your transmission ﬂuid. How to Check Manual Transmission Fluid Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading. Notice: Too much or too little ﬂuid can damage your transmission. Too much can mean that some of the ﬂuid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a ﬁre. Too little ﬂuid could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to

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2007 GMC Sierra Owners Manual