octane GMC SIERRA 2005 Owner's Manual

If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on page 5-10. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-6. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
3-46

Service............................................................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol).................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling Your Tank..........................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-20
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Except Allison Transmission
®) ....................5-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Allison Transmission
®) ...............................5-30
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-33
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-34Engine Coolant.............................................5-35
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (V8 Engines Only)............................5-39
Cooling System............................................5-40
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-45
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-48
Brakes........................................................5-49
Battery........................................................5-52
Jump Starting...............................................5-53
Rear Axle.......................................................5-58
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-58
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-61
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-61
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-62
Headlamps..................................................5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-64
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-65
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow 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 Diesel Engine
Supplement.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline Octane
For all except vehicles with the 6000 V8 (VIN Code N)
engine, use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you
may get 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. A little pinging noise when you accelerate or drive
uphill is considered normal. This does not indicate a
problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel is necessary.
If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane fuel and hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
If you have the 6000 V8 (VIN Code N) engine, use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also
use middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration
may be slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87,
you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If this occurs, use gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage
your engine.
5-6

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 does
not recommend 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.
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication Number
(VIN) on page 5-120.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 (E-85);
also seeFuel on page 5-6. In all other engines, including
the 5.3L V8 (VIN Code T), use only regular unleaded
gasoline.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code Z)
may use 85% ethanol fuel (E-85). General Motors
encourages the use of E-85 in vehicles that are designed
to use it. The ethanol in E-85 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
(E-85) pump available. The U. S. Department of
Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://www.afdc.doe.gov/refueling_mapsite.shtml) that
can help you nd E-85 fuel. Those stations that do have
E-85 should have a label indicating ethanol content.
Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content isgreaterthan
85%. Your vehicle may not operate properly if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%.
5-8

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the tire and
loading information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-50.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
SeeOff-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle on page 4-20.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-6.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-8for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer to have a
qualied technician do the work.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer do these jobs.
When you go to your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for your
service needs, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM parts.
If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10tells you what
should be checked, when to check it and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
6-3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-121
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-124
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-122
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-122
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-122
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-125
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-121
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-52
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-44
Coolant......................................................5-35
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-45
Oil .............................................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-39
Overheating................................................5-37
Starting......................................................2-23
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finish Damage.............................................5-118
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-127
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-91
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-92
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-109
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................5-27, 5-30
Manual Transmission....................................5-33
Power Steering...........................................5-46
Windshield Washer......................................5-48
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-37, 5-58
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-48
Front Axle......................................................5-60
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Storage Area.........................................2-71
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E-85 (85% Ethanol)....................................... 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling Your Tank..........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage.........................................................3-49
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
5

Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-7
Low Warning Light.......................................3-50
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-124
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-122
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-122
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-125
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-121
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-42
Fuel..........................................................3-49
Oil Pressure...............................................3-47
Speedometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Transmission Temperature.............................3-43
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-38
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-66
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-7
Glove Box.....................................................2-70
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-8
Headlamps............................................3-13, 5-63
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-15
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-62
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps...........................5-64
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-62
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-69
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-65
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...................................................3-21, 3-22
Heater...........................................................3-25
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-48
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-42
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-42
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-66
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-67
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
6