automatic transmission fluid GMC SIERRA 1999 Owner's Manual

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4-59
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake firmly set.
If the transfer case on four-wheel drive vehicles is
in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to
roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL (N).
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-5 Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Noise Control System
6
-13 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
6
-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-23 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-24 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-26 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-27 Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engine)
6
-28 Thermostat
6
-28 Engine Coolant6
-32 Power Steering Fluid
6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-34 Brakes
6
-38 Battery
6
-39 Bulb Replacement
6
-49 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-50 Tires
6
-61 Appearance Care
6
-61 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-65 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-68 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-69 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-69 Electrical System
6
-75 Replacement Bulbs
6
-76 Capacities and Specifications
6
-78 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-78 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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6-10
ªVORTECº 5000 and 5700 V8 Engine
ªVORTECº 5700 engine shown, locations for other engines similar. When you lift up the hood you'll see:
A. Battery
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
C. Radiator Cap
D. Coolant Recovery Tank
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil DipstickG. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)
H. Fan
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Oil Fill
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
N. Fuse/Relay Center

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6-11
ªVORTECº 7400 V8 Engine
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil DipstickG. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)
H. Engine Oil Fill
I. Fan
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid ReservoirL. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
M. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
N. Fuse/Relay Center

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6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see ªAutomatic
Transmission Fluidº in the Diesel Supplement.
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 or
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If your vehicle's GVWR is not over 8,600 and you
do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the GM service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.

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6-23 How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
while it is 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 HOT area for
a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON
-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º

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.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil
is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.

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6-73
Fuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
20 PRNDL, Automatic Transmission,
Speedometer, Check Gages
Warning Light
21 Security/Steering
22 Not Used
23 Not Used
24 Front Axle, 4WD Indicator Lamp,
TP2 Relay (Gasoline Engine)
A Power Door Lock, Six
-Way Power
Seat, Keyless Entry Module
B Power WindowsUnderhood Fuse/Relay Center
The underhood fuse/relay center is located in the rear of
the engine compartment near the brake fluid reservoir.
Move the retainer clips for the cover to access the
fuse block.
You can remove fuses with a fuse extractor. The fuse
extractor is mounted to the interior fuse block. To
remove fuses if you don't have a fuse extractor, hold the
end of the fuse between your thumb and index finger
and pull straight out.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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50,000 Miles (83 000 km)

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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City 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.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance -- Gasoline Engines
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45,000 Miles (75 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)

Vehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only: Inspect shields and underhood
insulation for damage or looseness. Adjust or replace as required. This is a
Noise Emission Control Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)

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.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE