tires GMC SIERRA 2008 Repair Manual

Description Usage
Swirl Remover PolishRemoves swirl marks, ne
scratches, and other light
surface contamination.
Cleaner WaxRemoves light scratches
and protects nish.
Foaming Tire Shine Low
GlossCleans, shines, and
protects tires. No wiping
necessary.
Wash Wax ConcentrateMedium foaming
shampoo. Cleans and
lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot LifterQuickly removes spots
and stains from carpets,
vinyl, and cloth
upholstery.
Odor EliminatorOdorless spray odor
eliminator used on fabrics,
vinyl, leather and carpet.Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Certication/Tire and Service Parts labels
and the certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code. This
code helps you identify your vehicle’s engine,
specications, and replacement parts. SeeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-130for your vehicle’s
engine code.
5-121

MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
on within 10 months since the vehicle was purchased
or MaintenanceIIwas performed.MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on
10 months or more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-15.
Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-18.An Emission
Control Service.••
Allison Transmission
®only: Replace external transmission lter at the rst
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator (if equipped). If
necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines) on
page 5-19.See footnote (p).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-81and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-12.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
6-5

Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-28.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-74. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-92.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-81.
6-12

Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles operated on
a non-public roadway or highway, nes, impound towing
caused by a violation of local, Municipal, State,
Provincial, or Federal law, and mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
GMC and General Motors of Canada Limited reserve
the right to make any changes or discontinue the
Roadside Assistance program at any time without
notication.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service, contact
your dealer/retailer and request an appointment.
By scheduling a service appointment and advising your
service consultant of your transportation needs, your
dealer/retailer can help minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service
department immediately, keep driving it until it can be
scheduled for service, unless, of course, the problem is
safety-related. If it is, please call your dealership/retailer,
let them know this, and ask for instructions.If the dealer/retailer requests that you simply drop the
vehicle off for service, you are urged to do so as early in
the work day as possible to allow for the same day repair.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and our
participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy
Transportation, a customer support program for vehicles
with the Bumper to Bumper (Base Warranty Coverage
period in Canada) and extended powertrain warranty
in both the U.S. and Canada.
Several courtesy transportation options are available to
assist in reducing your inconvenience when warranty
repairs are required.
Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. A separate booklet entitled “Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information” furnished with each
new vehicle provides detailed warranty coverage
information.
7-9

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-43
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-85
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-122
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Conditioning..............................3-25, 3-27, 3-28
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-39
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-41
Readiness Light..........................................3-38
Airbag System................................................1-68
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-75
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-73
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-71
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-85
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-76
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-74
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-80
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-84
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-74
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-126Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-126
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-45
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-115
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-120
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-114
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Finish Damage..........................................5-119
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces
...............................................5-115
Interior Cleaning........................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-119
Tires........................................................5-119
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-120
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-24
Audio System.................................................3-80
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-124
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-126
1

Audio System (cont.)
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-112
Radio Reception........................................3-125
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-122
Setting the Clock.........................................3-81
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-123
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-126
Audio System(s).............................................3-84
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-19
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................5-22, 5-25
Operation...................................................2-28
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-20
B
Battery..........................................................5-45
Electric Power Management..........................3-22
Run-Down Protection...................................3-23
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-42
System Warning Light..................................3-44
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-59Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp............................................5-61
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-59
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-56
Headlamps.................................................5-60
License Plate Lamps....................................5-64
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-62
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-65
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-62
Buying New Tires...........................................5-84
C
Calibration.............................................2-55, 2-57
California Fuel.................................................. 5-7
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-130
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-53, 4-31, 4-55
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-115
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-22
Cargo Management System.............................2-78
CD, MP3 ............................................3-102, 3-106
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-76
2

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-61
Center Seat...................................................1-12
Chains, Tire...................................................5-90
Charging System Light....................................3-43
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-48
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-120
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................1-58, 1-62, 1-66
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-114
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-115Cleaning (cont.)
Interior.....................................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Tires........................................................5-119
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Climate Control System...........................3-25, 3-27
Dual Automatic............................................3-28
Outlet Adjustment........................................
3-33
Clock, Setting.................................................3-81
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass...............................................2-55, 2-57
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-46
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-30
Cooling System..............................................5-34
Cruise Control................................................3-14
Cruise Control Light........................................3-52
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-75
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
3

Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-9
Time, Setting..................................................3-81
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-47
Tires.............................................................5-66
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning...............................................5-118
Buying New Tires........................................5-84
Chains.......................................................5-90
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-92
Cleaning...................................................5-119
Different Size..............................................5-86
Dual Tire Operation.....................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-91
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-74
Inspection and Rotation................................5-81
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-98
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-78
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-76
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-98
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-93
Secondary Latch System............................5-105
Spare Tire................................................5-112
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..........5-108
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-67
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-86
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-88Tires (cont.)
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-88
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-84
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-34
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-53
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-50
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-55
Your Vehicle...............................................
4-50
Traction
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-6
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-94
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic..................................5-22, 5-25
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-28
Trip Odometer................................................3-36
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-47
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-9
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............2-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-86
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-68
Operation...................................................2-69
Using this Manual............................................... iii
13