engine coolant GMC SIERRA 2004 User Guide

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Allison
Transmission
ž) ..........................................5-28
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-31
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-32
Engine Coolant.............................................5-33
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-36
Engine Overheating.......................................5-36Cooling System............................................5-39
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-44
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-45
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-46
Brakes........................................................5-48
Battery........................................................5-52
Jump Starting...............................................5-53
Rear Axle.......................................................5-59
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-60
Noise Control System.....................................5-62
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-62
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-64
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-64
Headlamps..................................................5-64
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-66
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-67
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp.............................................5-69
Pickup Box Identi®cation and Fender Marker
Lamps.....................................................5-70
Taillamps.....................................................5-71
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-74
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a ®re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake ¯uid, windshield washer and
other ¯uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood do the following:
1. Pull the handle inside
the vehicle located
under and to the left of
the steering wheel.
5-10

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.
G. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
I. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-13

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-33.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Except Allison
Transmissionž) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (Allison Transmissionž)on
page 5-28.
F. Engine Oil Fill. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Fan. See
Cooling System on page 5-39.H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal (GND). See
Jump
Starting on page 5-53.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-53.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-45.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 5-48.
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic
Clutch on page 5-32.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-126.
N. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-52.
O. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
5-17

How to Check and Add Fluid
The proper ¯uid should be added if the level does not
reach the bottom of the diaphragm when it's in place in
the reservoir. See the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
žextended 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
Engine Overheating on
page 5-36.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-33

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOLžcoolant 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 such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not 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 do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-34

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is
located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12
for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap Ð even a little Ð when the engine and
radiator are hot.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark.
If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant sensor,
and the LOW COOLANT LEVEL message comes
on and stays on, it means you're low on engine coolant.
See ªLow Coolant Levelº under
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
{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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
5-35

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
more information on
location.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-46. In addition, you will
®nd a ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message in the Driver Information
Center on the instrument panel. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-55.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ®ring groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a loss in power and engine performance.
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency. Driving extended miles (km)
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
5-36

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch ®re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº under
Engine Overheating on page 5-36
for information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches ®re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº under
Engine
Overheating on page 5-36for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
5-37