cooling GMC SIERRA 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (102,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-102 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Short Box (c) 4.8L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 309 kg (9,500 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 3.422 903 kg (6,400 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.734 717 kg (10,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.732 223 kg (4,900 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.422 631 kg (5,800 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (c) 3.082 858 kg (6,300 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 445 kg (9,800 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)

Black plate (103,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-103
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Long Box (b) 5.3L V8 (c) 3.082 631 kg (5,800 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (c) 3.082 948 kg (6,500 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 218 kg (9,300 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
3 629 kg (8,000 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
2500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box HD (d) 6.0L V8 3.734 445 kg (9,800 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.0L V8 —Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lbs) 9 299 kg (20,500 lbs)
6.0L V8 —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 486 kg (14,300 lbs) 9 299 kg (20,500 lbs)
2500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Standard Box HD (d) 6.0L V8 3.734 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.0L V8 —Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lbs) 9 299 kg (20,500 lbs)
6.0L V8 —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 441 kg (14,200 lbs) 9 299 kg (20,500 lbs)

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-19
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-25
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-29
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Noise Control System . . . . . . 10-38
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-39
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-40
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-41
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Pick-Up Box Identification and Fender Marker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-48
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑19.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑20.
C. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10‑98.
D. Battery on page 10‑34.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10‑98.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑7. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑7.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑20.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑29.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid on
page 10‑32.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑50.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax Diesel Supplement.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine
oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity grade.
See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 10‑11.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
Replacing the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
1. Locate the air cleaner/filterassembly. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing and lift up
the cover.
3. Remove the engine aircleaner/filter from the housing.
Take care to dislodge as little
dirt as possible.
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.
{WARNING
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. Use caution
when working on the engine
and do not drive with the air
cleaner/filter off.
Cooling System
If the vehicle has the Duramax®
Diesel engine, see the Duramax®
Diesel Supplement for more
information.
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
5.3 L Engine Shown (4.3 L, 4.8 L,6.0 L and, 6.2 L Engines Similar)
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
can start even when the engine
is not running. To avoid injury,
always keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any engine
cooling fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Do not run the engine if there is
a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑25.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature
.Gives boiling protection
up to 129°C (265°F), engine
temperature
.Protects against rust and
corrosion
.Will not damage aluminum parts
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.

Black plate (23,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
Notice:If extra inhibitors
and/or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system,
the vehicle could be damaged.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8 for more
information.
Never dispose of engine coolant
by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located
in the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for more information
on location.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant surge tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
The coolant level should be at or
above the FULL COLD mark. If it is
not, there may be a leak in the
cooling system.

Black plate (24,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see“Cooling System” in the
Duramax Diesel Supplement for
the proper coolant fill procedure.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the coolant surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap. If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
3. Fill the coolant surge tankwith the proper mixture to the
FULL COLD mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90°C (195°F). By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1 through 6.
Notice: If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has the Duramax®
Diesel engine, see the Duramax
Diesel Supplement for more
information.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge on the vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑17.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) on the
instrument panel. See Engine
Cooling System Messages on
page 5‑44 andEngine Power
Messages on page 5‑45.