radiator GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 Owners Manual

If the transmission continues to operate above
265°F (130°C), contact your nearest dealer or the
GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 644.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to costly repairs
that would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not drive your vehicle while the
transmission temperature gage reading is
above normal. See your dealer for service.
The following situations can cause the
transmission to operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the
auxiliary transmission oil cooler, if equipped.A temporary solution to reduce hotter transmission
operating temperatures may be to let the
transmission cool down. If the transmission is
operated at higher temperatures on a frequent
basis, seeScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for the proper transmission
maintenance intervals.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
258

TRANSMISSION HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC,
you can damage the transmission. This could
lead to costly repairs that would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle with overheated transmission uid
or while the transmission temperature warning
is displayed.
If the transmission uid temperature becomes
high, this message will appear on the DIC display.
When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the
transmission shifting patterns. When the
transmission uid temperature returns to normal,
the display will turn off and the transmission
shifting patterns will return to normal.If the vehicle has the Tow/Haul mode, use this
feature if the transmission is operating at higher
temperatures and/or the following situations
exist, which can cause the transmission to operate
at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Over-loading
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the
auxiliary transmission oil cooler
A temporary solution to hotter transmission
operating temperatures may be to let the
transmission cool down. If the transmission is
operated at higher temperatures on a frequent
basis, seeScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for the transmission
your vehicle is equipped with for the proper
transmission maintenance intervals. Also see
Transmission Temperature Gage on page 257for
more information.
280

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

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 629for more information.
503

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 480for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark.
If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant
sensor and the LOW COOLANT LEVEL message
comes on and stays on, it means you are low
on engine coolant. See “LOW COOLANT LEVEL”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 270.
504

The coolant level should
be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it is not,
you may have a leak at
the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or
somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
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 re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.If your vehicle has an electric engine cooling
fan, check the coolant temperature gage.
If the coolant temperature is approximately
232°F (111°C), the electric cooling fan should be
running. If it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine.
If your vehicle has an engine-driven cooling fan,
start the engine again and see if the fan speed
increases when idle speed is doubled by pushing
the accelerator pedal down. If it does not, your
vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only) on page 508
for information on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
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
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.
510

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
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.
1. You can 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 you hear a hiss, wait
for that to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.
512

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with 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 you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
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. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
513

Maintenance Footnotes
(Gasoline Engine)
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with
a gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine Supplement.
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or
the California Air Resources Board has determined
that the failure to perform this maintenance item
will not nullify the emission warranty or limit
recall liability prior to the completion of the
vehicle’s useful life. We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance services be performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, steering linkage,
transmission shift linkage, and parking brake
cable guides. Control arm ball joints require
lubrication but should not be lubricated unless
their temperature is 10°F (−12°C) or higher, or they
could be damaged. Vehicles used under severe
commercial operating conditions require lubrication
on a regular basis every 3,000 miles (5 000 km).(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Inspect drum brake
linings/shoes for wear or cracks. Inspect other
brake parts, including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect
power steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joints, rubber
boots, and axle seals for leaks.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced
if they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, ttings and clamps; replace with
genuine GM parts as needed. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or
cracking. Replace wiper blades that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.
623

(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