coolant GMC SIERRA 1999 Owner's Guide

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The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC
 thermostat
is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, 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, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning gages work as they should.

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NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like 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 wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.

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6-30
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't 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 the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªChecking
Coolantº in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger's
side at the rear corner of the engine compartment.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
COLD mark, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to the HOT mark, or a
little higher.

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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even
a little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
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. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.

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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

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Fuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
3 Courtesy Lamps, Cargo Lamp,
Glove Box Lamp, Dome/Reading
Lamps, Vanity Mirrors,
Power Mirrors
4 Instrument Cluster, DRL Relay,
Lamp Switch, Keyless Entry,
Low Coolant Module, Illuminated
Entry Module,
DRAC (Diesel Engine)
5 Not Used
6 Cruise Control
7 Auxiliary Power Outlet
8 Crank
9 License Lamp, Parking Lamps,
Taillamps, Roof Marker Lamps,
Tailgate Lamps, Front
Sidemarkers, Fog Lamp Relay,
Door Switch Illumination,
Fender Lamps, Headlamp
Switch IlluminationFuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
10 Not Used
11 Wiper Motor, Washer Pump
12 A/C, A/C Blower,
High Blower Relay
13 Power Amp, Cigarette Lighter,
Door Lock Relay,
Power Lumbar Seat
14 4WD Indicator, Cluster, Comfort
Controls, Instrument Switches,
Radio Illumination,
Chime Module
15 DRL Relay, Fog Lamp Relay
16 Front and Rear Turn Signals,
Back
-Up Lamps, BTSI Solenoid
17 Radio (Ignition)
18 4WAL/VCM, ABS,
Cruise Control
19 Radio (Battery)

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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150,000 Miles (240 000 km)

Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control Service.

Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle's 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.
Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed previously
and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transmission fluid, change both
the fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
For vehicles with dual wheels, check dual wheel nut
torque. For proper torque, see ªWheel Nut Torqueº in
the Index.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See ªTiresº in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.

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Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine Oil
(Gasoline
Engine)Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines ªStarburstº
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle's engine, see
ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only GM
Goodwrench

DEX-COOL
or
Havoline
DEX-COOL

Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11
Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
-3 Brake Fluid).
USAGEFLUID/LUBRICANT
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Hydraulic Clutch
SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT
-3 Brake Fluid).
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
GC
-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
Manual
Transmission
(5
-Speed with
Low Gear, RPO
MW3)
GM Goodwrench Synthetic
Manual Transmission Fluid (GM
Part No. 12346190
- 1 qt.) or
equivalent SAE 75W
-90 GL-4
Gear Oil.