check engine light GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 User Guide

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see
it or smell it, so you might not know it is in
your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And
check around again from time to time to
be sure snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
405

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash 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 gearbefore
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. SeeTow/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, seeEngine Overheating on page 505.
453

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617for
more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle
lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd 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.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.
456

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 Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication 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. SeeAdditives
on page 472for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. 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 specications, but emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on and your
vehicle may fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
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.
471

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, seeDriver 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.
SeeEngine 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

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper uid should be added if the level does
not reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it
is in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on
the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 505.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
502

(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also
look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, body door
hinges, hood latch assembly, secondary latch,
pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, tailgate hinges,
tailgate linkage, tailgate handle pivot points,
latch bolt, fuel door hinge, locks, and folding seat
hardware. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) is over 8600 lbs or if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 502 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid if
needed.
624

Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps............................................... 533
License Plate Lamps................................ 541
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...................................... 538
Replacement Bulbs.................................. 541
Roof Marker Lamps................................. 535
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps.............................. 539
Buying New Tires........................................ 556
C
Calibration..........................................176, 180
California Fuel............................................. 471
California Proposition 65 Warning................ 469
Canadian Owners........................................... 3
Capacities and Specications...................... 609
Carbon Monoxide..............127, 174, 402, 429
Care of
Safety Belts............................................. 592
Your Cassette Tape Player....................... 350
Your CD and DVD Player........................ 352
Your CDs and DVDs................................ 352
Cargo Lamp................................................ 228
Center Console Storage Area...................... 202Center Front Passenger Position,
Safety Belts............................................... 37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp...................... 537
Chains, Tire................................................. 562
Check
Engine Light............................................ 258
Checking Things Under the Hood ................ 478
Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 596
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 51
Infants and Young Children........................ 47
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children............................................ 58
Older Children........................................... 44
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position................................. 71
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position..................... 74
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Crew Cab).............. 74
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Regular and
Extended Cab)................................ 78, 85
Where to Put the Restraint........................ 55
Chime Level Adjustment .............................. 353
661

Engine (cont.)
Check and Service Engine Soon Light..... 258
Coolant.................................................... 502
Coolant Heater......................................... 139
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 256
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 633
Engine Compartment Overview................ 480
Exhaust................................................... 174
Fan Noise................................................ 514
Oil ........................................................... 486
Oil Life System........................................ 489
Overheated Protection Operating Mode.... 508
Overheating............................................. 505
Starting.................................................... 137
Entry Lighting.............................................. 227
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 650
Exit Lighting................................................ 227
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 43
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 491
Finish Damage............................................ 596
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................... 353
Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 212Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 216
Flat Tire...................................................... 563
Flat Tire, Changing...................................... 564
Flat Tire, Storing......................................... 584
Fluid
Automatic Transmission...................494, 497
Manual Transmission................................ 500
Power Steering........................................ 515
Windshield Washer.................................. 516
Fog Lamps.................................................. 225
Four-Wheel Drive...............................153, 528
Four-Wheel-Drive Light................................ 263
Front Axle................................................... 529
Front Reading Lamps.................................. 227
Front Storage Area...................................... 202
Fuel............................................................ 470
Additives.................................................. 472
California Fuel.......................................... 471
E85 (85% Ethanol)................................... 473
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 477
Filling Your Tank...................................... 474
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 474
Gage....................................................... 264
Gasoline Octane...................................... 470
Gasoline Specications............................ 471
Low Warning Light................................... 265
664

Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block........ 602
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 600
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 600
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 603
Windshield Wiper..................................... 599
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 256
Fuel......................................................... 264
Oil Pressure............................................. 262
Speedometer........................................... 246
Tachometer.............................................. 246
Transmission Temperature........................ 257
Voltmeter Gage........................................ 253
Garage Door Opener..........................191, 192
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 470
Specications........................................... 471
Glove Box................................................... 202
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 643
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 212
Head Restraints............................................ 18
Headlamps.........................................221, 533
Automatic Headlamp System.................... 223
Bulb Replacement.................................... 532
Daytime Running Lamps.......................... 222
Flash-to-Pass........................................... 216
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps....................... 534
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 532
High/Low Beam Changer......................... 215
On Reminder........................................... 222
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...................................... 538
Roof Marker Lamps................................. 535
Heated Seats................................................ 11
Heater................................................230, 231
Heater......................................................... 235
Highbeam On Light..................................... 263
Highway Hypnosis....................................... 399
Hill and Mountain Roads............................. 400
Hood
Checking Things Under............................ 478
Release................................................... 479
665