GMC SAVANA 2017 Owner's Manual

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 6/29/17
220 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L V8 Engine Similar

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Vehicle Care 221
1.Battery - North America 0238.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0228.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System 0228.
4. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid 0224.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0221.
7. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0227.
8. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid 0234.
9. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 236.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 235.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:
. 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 0223.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0220 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

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222 Vehicle Care
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and
Specifications 0312.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 220 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap. Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.

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Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. See
Engine Oil Messages
0115.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life

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224 Vehicle Care
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:1. Turn the ignition key to ON/ RUN with the engine off. 2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal slowly three
times within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The only
reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, use the following
procedures to check the fluid level.
However, if there is a large leak, it
may be necessary to have the
vehicle towed to a dealer and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further. Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in
Maintenance
Schedule 0300, and be sure to use
the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be
difficult, it is recommended to have
this check done at your dealer,
which can monitor the transmission
temperature. The transmission fluid
level increases with temperature. To
obtain a highly accurate fluid level
check, the transmission temperature
must be measured.
If it is decided to check the fluid
level, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or a false reading
on the dipstick may occur.
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the
(Continued)

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Vehicle Care 225
Caution (Continued)
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes with the
engine off, before checking the
transmission fluid level if the vehicle
has been driven:
. In hot weather, when outside
temperatures are above 32 °C
(90 °F).
. The vehicle is heavily loaded.
. At high speed for quite a while in
hot weather.
. In heavy traffic and hot weather.
. While pulling a trailer.
After driving under these conditions,
a hot check can be performed. The
fluid should be hot, which is 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F). A cold fluid level check can be
performed after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more
with the engine off, but this is used
only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if the
outside temperature is between
15 °C to 32 °C (60 °F to 90 °F).
Should the fluid level be low during
this cold check, the fluid must be
checked warm or hot before adding
fluid. If the outside temperature is
colder than 15 °C (60 °F) or hotter
than 32 °C (90 °F), a cold check
cannot be performed.
A warm fluid level check can be
performed by driving the vehicle
under lightly loaded conditions and
outside temperatures between 10 °C
to 27 °C (50 °F to 80 °F). The
vehicle should be driven for at least
24 km (15 mi) before performing a
warm check. Checking the fluid
warm or hot will give a more
accurate reading of the fluid level
than a cold check.
Because the vehicle is equipped
with a high-efficiency air-to-oil
cooler, the transmission fluid
temperature may not reach therequired hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly
loaded driving vehicle conditions.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With a foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through
each gear range, pausing for
about three seconds in each
range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1
through M3. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the
engine, use the steps that follow.

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The transmission dipstick is near
the center of the engine
compartment and will be labeled
with the graphic shown.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0 220 for more information on
location.
1. COLD Range
2. WARM Range
3. HOT Range
1. Flip the handle up, pull out the dipstick, and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel. 2. Push it back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in
the COLD (1) range for a cold
check, transmission
temperature 27 °C to 32 °C
(80 °F to 90 °F); between the
COLD (1) and HOT (3) range
for a WARM (2) check, 50 °C to
60 °C (122 °F to 140 °F); or in
the HOT (3) cross-hatched
range for a hot check, 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F). Be
sure to keep the dipstick
pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way;
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308 to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use.
1. WARM Range
2. HOT Range
Using a funnel, add fluid down the
transmission dipstick tube only after
checking the transmission fluid
while it is warm or hot. A cold check
is used only as a reference. If the
fluid level is low, add only enough of
the proper fluid to bring the level up
to the middle of the WARM (1) or
HOT (2) range depending on the
ambient temperature and prior
driving conditions. Refer to “How to
Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid” earlier in this section for
instructions on driving to achieve
warm or hot transmission fluid.

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Vehicle Care 227
It does not take much fluid,
generally less than 0.5 L (1 pt). Do
not overfill.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308.
. After adding fluid, recheck the
fluid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in
this section.
. When the correct fluid level is
obtained, push the dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The air cleaner/filter assembly is on
the front of the engine compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 220.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air filter, see
Maintenance Schedule 0300.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
filter housing open. Before removing
the engine air filter, make sure that
the engine air filter housing and
nearby components are free of dirt
and debris. Remove the engine air
filter. Lightly tap and shake the
engine air filter (away from the
vehicle) to release dust and dirt.
Inspect the engine air filter for
damage, and replace if damaged.
Do not clean the engine air filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L V8 Engine Similar
1. Retaining Clips
2. Housing Base
3. Housing Cover
To inspect and replace the filter:
1. Unlock the two retaining clips (1) on the sides of the
housing cover (3) and on the
housing base (2) and pull the
cover off.
2. Remove the air cleaner/filter from the housing base. Take
care to dislodge as little dirt as
possible.

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228 Vehicle Care
3. Clean the air cleaner/filtersealing surface and
housing base.
4. Install the engine air cleaner/ filter by aligning the arrow on
one side of the air cleaner/filter
end cap with the arrow on top
of the housing base.
5. Install the housing cover by aligning the arrow on top of the
cover to the arrow on top of the
housing base, and fasten the
two retaining clips.
See Maintenance Schedule 0300 to
determine when to replace the
engine air cleaner/filter.
{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.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
6.0L V8 Engine Shown, 4.8L
V8 Engine Similar
1. Radiator Pressure Cap 2. Coolant Recovery Tank
3. 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.
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.

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Vehicle Care 229
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
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 0232.
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.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0308.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,