GMC SAVANA 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (29,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and/or fuel
operated heater parts,
if equipped. If the vehicle has a
diesel engine and a fuel operated
heater, see “Fuel Operated
Heater (FOH)” in the diesel
engine supplement. The fluid will
burn if the engine is hot enough.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑3.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-30 Vehicle Care
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.

Black plate (31,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-31
Battery
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for battery location.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑84 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.

Black plate (32,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-32 Vehicle Care
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, some lubricant
will need to be added. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler plug hole. Use
care not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug hole, some lubricant
may need to be added.
When the differential is cold, add
enough lubricant to raise the level to
10 mm (3/8 in) below the fill
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating
temperature (warm), add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the fill plug hole.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-33
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If you have the 1500 Series, the
proper level is from 15 mm (5/8 in) to
40 mm (1 5/8 in) below the bottom of
the fill plug hole. The proper level
for the 2500 and 3500 Series is
from 0 to 6 mm (1/4 in) below the
bottom of the fill plug hole. Add only
enough fluid to reach the proper
level.
What to Use
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to
compliance with federal noise
emission standards for vehicles with
a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of more than 4 536 kg
(10,000 lbs). The Maintenance
Schedule provides information on
maintaining the noise control system
to minimize degradation of the noise
emission control system during the
life of the vehicle. The noise control
system warranty is given in the
vehicle warranty booklet.
These standards apply only to
vehicles sold in the United States.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
Federal law prohibits the following
acts or the causing thereof:
1. The removal or renderinginoperative by any person,
other than for purposes of
maintenance, repair or
replacement, of any device or
element of design incorporated
into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control, prior to
its sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element of design has
been removed or rendered
inoperative by any person. Among those acts presumed to
constitute tampering are the acts
listed below.
Insulation:
.Removal of the noise shields or
any underhood insulation.
Engine:
.Removal or rendering engine
speed governor, if the vehicle
has one, inoperative so as to
allow engine speed to exceed
manufacturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:
.Removal of fan clutch, if the
vehicle has one, or rendering
clutch inoperative.
.Removal of the fan shroud, if the
vehicle has one. Air Intake:
.Removal of the air cleaner
silencer.
.Modification of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:
.Removal of the muffler and/or
resonator.
.Removal of the exhaust pipes
and exhaust pipe clamps.
Fuel Operated Heater
(FOH) —Diesel Engine:
.Removal of the muffler.

Black plate (35,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-35
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑36.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts. 3. Try to start the engine in each
gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface. 2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑36.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-36 Vehicle Care
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (37,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-37
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑3 for more information on
wiper blade inspection.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. To remove the type
with a release clip, do the following:
1. Lift the wiper arm until it locks into a vertical position.
2. Press down on the blade
assembly pivot locking tab. Pull
down on the blade assembly to
release it from the wiper
arm hook.
3. The insert has two notches at one end that are locked by
bottom claws of the blade
assembly. At the notched end,
pull the insert from the blade
assembly. 4. To install the new wiper insert,
slide the notched end last, into
the end with two blade claws.
Then slide the insert all the way
through the blade claws at the
opposite end.
5. Make sure that the notches are locked by the bottom claws.
Make sure that all other claws
are properly locked on both
sides of the insert slot.
6. Put the blade assembly pivot in the wiper arm hook. Pull it up
until the pivot locking tab locks
in the hook slot.
7. Carefully lower the wiper arm and blade assembly into the
windshield.

Black plate (38,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2011
10-38 Vehicle Care
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑43.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps
Composite Headlamp
A. High‐Beam Headlamp
B. Low‐Beam Headlamp To remove the headlamp assembly
from the vehicle and access the
bulbs:
1. Open the hood. See
Hood on
page 10‑4 for more information.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
headlamp assembly.
3. Lift the headlamp assembly to release the lower tabs from the
radiator support.
4. Turn the headlamp forward and upward to remove it from the
grille.