open hood GMC SAVANA 2021 Owner's Manual

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
3. Insert the new battery, positive sidefacing down. Replace with a CR2032 or
equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
This vehicle may have a remote start
feature. This feature allows you to start the
engine from outside the vehicle. It may also
start the vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems. See Climate Control Systems 0119.
Laws in some local communities may restrict
the use of remote starters. For example,
some laws may require a person using
remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for
any requirements on remote starting of
vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if the
vehicle is low on fuel. The vehicle may run
out of fuel.
The RKE transmitter range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 08.
/:This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote start.
To start the engine using the remote start
feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release
Qon the transmitter.
3. Immediately press and hold
/until the
turn signal lamps flash. If you cannot see
the lamps, press and hold
/for at least
four seconds.
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on while
the engine is running. The doors will be
locked.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. After 30 seconds, repeat the
steps if a 10-minute extension is desired.
Remote start can be extended only once.
After entering the vehicle during a remote
start, turn the ignition on to drive the
vehicle.
A maximum of two remote starts or a start
with an extension are allowed between
ignition cycles. If the remote start procedure is used again
before the first 10-minute time frame has
ended, the first 10 minutes will immediately
expire and the second 10-minute time frame
will start.
After the engine has been remote started
two times, or a remote start with an
extension, the ignition must be turned on
and then off before the remote start
procedure can be used again.
To cancel a remote start do any of the
following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle
and press
/until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then off.
The remote vehicle start feature will not
operate if:
.The key is in the ignition.
.The hood is open.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.There is an emission control system
malfunction. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 076.
.The engine coolant temperature is
too high.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the side door/rear doors and thehood. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of two ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm. Pressing
Qon the RKE transmitter
a second time will bypass the 30-second
delay and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the
doors are locked with the key or the manual
door lock.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, side door, rear door, or the
hood is opened without first disarming the
system. When the alarm is activated, the
turn signals flash and the horn sounds for
about 30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn chirps and the
lights flash three times, the alarm was
activated while the alarm system was
armed.
If the alarm system has been activated, and
allowed to complete an event
(approximately one minute), a message will
appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) the next time the vehicle is started.
Theft Alarm Notification
To enable e-mail or text notification, see
“Theft Alarm Notification” in OnStarSecurity
0 274.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. Lower the driver window and open the driver door.
2. Press
Qon the RKE transmitter.
3. Close the door and wait for a few seconds.
4. Reach in through the open window, unlock the door with the manual door
lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should but the lamps flash, check to see
if the horn works. The horn fuse may be
blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and
Circuit Breakers 0205.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0270.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle is equipped with the
PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized Automotive
Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive theft deterrent
system.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Driving and Operating 139
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord.
The cord for the engine coolant heater is
on the driver side of the engine
compartment.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was
before to keep it away from moving
engine parts and prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Vehicle Care 179
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 045.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0269.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 44. If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start 010.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 257.Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
Turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the engine is running with the
hood open, you or others could be
injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the lower left side
of the instrument panel.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
180 Vehicle Care
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locatethe secondary release lever under the
front center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever upward to
release.
3. Lift the hood and release the hood proprod from its retainer, in the front of the
engine compartment. Securely insert the
rod end into the slot marked with an
arrow, on the underside of the hood.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly, and all tools are
removed. 2. Lift the hood and remove the hood prop
rod from the underside of the hood.
Return the prop rod to its retainer. The
prop rod must click into place when
returning it to the retainer to prevent
hood damage.
3. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release it. Check to make
sure the hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with additional force
if necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the hood is
not latched completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision, and cause a
crash. You or others could be injured.
Always close the hood completely before
driving.
Engine Compartment Overview
For diesel engine vehicles, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Vehicle Care 195
If Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be seen or heard, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
.Stops after high-speed driving
.Idles for long periods in traffic
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest fan
speed. Open the windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays, the
vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come back on,
continue to drive normally and have the
cooling system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and
park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed for
at least three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the engine until
it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift the hood,
get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched engine cooling
fan. When the clutch is engaged, the fan
spins faster to provide more air to cool the
engine. In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully engages,
so an increase in fan noise may be heard.
This is normal and should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra
shifts. It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when starting
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Vehicle Care 237
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles
rolling, set the parking brake firmly on
both vehicles involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic transmission
in P (Park) or a manual transmission in
Neutral before setting the parking brake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or plugged
in during the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn off or
unplug all accessories on either vehicle
when jump starting.
3. Turn the ignition off on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged
into the cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio and all
lamps that are not needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal
locations of the other vehicle.
On your van, use the unpainted radio
antenna bracket as a remote negative (−)
terminal.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you need
more light.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, flush the place with water and
get medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine parts can
injure you badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts once the engine is
running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) or to a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to an
unpainted metal part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has
one. On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a remote
negative (−) terminal.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a short that
would damage the battery and maybe
other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−)
terminal on the dead battery because
this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Do not let the other end