oil level GMC SIERRA 2009 Owner's Manual

A reading outside the normal operating range can be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or some other
problem causing low oil pressure. Check the vehicle’s oil
as soon as possible. See “OIL PRESSURE LOW” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66andEngine
Oil on page 5-15.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This light comes on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
3-49

OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
This message displays if low oil pressure levels
occur. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and
do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure
has been corrected. Check the oil as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
PARK ASSIST OFF
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, after the vehicle has been started, this
message displays to remind the driver that the URPA
system has been turned off. Press the set/reset button
or the trip odometer reset stem to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. To turn the
URPA system back on, seeUltrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) on page 2-62.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the front
passenger door is not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message still appears on
the DIC.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-5andDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-53orDIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-59for more
information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. The battery needs to be
replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-5.
3-70

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-65.
Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel?
Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-26

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
The tow/haul mode may be used if the transmission
shifts too often. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-51.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-34.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged. When possible, always park
the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4-79

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-28.
C. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-44.
D.Battery on page 5-43.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission) on page 5-21orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) on
page 5-24.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-44.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
I. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-28.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-38.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.L.Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-126.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil” in the
DURAMAX®Diesel manual.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended
oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-129.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when you are through.
5-16

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system
must be reset every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-18

3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter from the
housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/lter sealing surfaces
and the housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-7and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
5-21

Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15for more information.Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL
COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is done.
5-31

Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake uid by looking at the brake uid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14.
The uid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid from a sealed container.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-117.
5-41