maintenance GMC SIERRA 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (68,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-68 Vehicle Care
When you end this high‐speed
driving, return the tires to the cold
inflation pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑25 andTire Pressure on
page 10‑66.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under‐inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a significantly under‐inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under‐inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under‐inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start‐ups as
long as the malfunction exists.

Black plate (70,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and
displays, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑33 and
Tire Messages on page 5‑49.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑25, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see
Tire Pressure on page 10‑66. The TPMS can warn about a
low tire pressure condition but
it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See
Tire Inspection
on page 10‑73, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑73 andTires on
page 10‑57.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using
an incorrect tire sealant is
not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only
the GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer
or included in the vehicle.TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When
the system detects a malfunction,
the low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The
malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause these to come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire.
The spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message
should go off after the road
tire is replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this
section.

Black plate (73,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-73
Tire Inspection
We recommend that you
regularly inspect the vehicle's
tires, including the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, for signs
of wear or damage at least once
a month.
Always remove the tires if any
of the following statements
are true:
.You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
.You can see cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord
or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 miles).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that your vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑76 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑82.
If your vehicle has dual rear
wheels, also see Dual Tire
Rotation on page 10‑75.
If your vehicle has single rear
wheels and the tread design for
the front tires is the same as
the rear tires, use the rotation
pattern shown here when
rotating the tires.

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
The outer tire on a dual wheel
setup generally wears faster than
the inner tire. Your tires will wear
more evenly and last longer if you
rotate the tires periodically, seeTire
Inspection on page 10‑73 andTire
Rotation on page 10‑73. Also see
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
{WARNING
If you operate your vehicle with a
tire that is badly underinflated, the
tire can overheat. An overheated
tire can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Be sure all tires (including
the spare) are properly inflated.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑66,
for information on proper tire
inflation.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading,
and road conditions influence
when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which appear when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining.
Some commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear indicators.
See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑73
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑73
for additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This is also true for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
not being used. Multiple conditions
affect how fast this aging takes
place, including temperatures,
loading conditions, and inflation
pressure maintenance. Tires will
typically need to be replaced due to
wear before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.

Black plate (84,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-84 Vehicle Care
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle's tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have
a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from theaccelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon
as possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part
shows how to use the jacking
equipment to change a flat tire
safely.

Black plate (112,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-112 Vehicle Care
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts
such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan,
and exhaust system even though
they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these
materials from the underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas
where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of the
frame should be loosened before
being flushed. Your dealer or an
underbody car washing system
can do this.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical
fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall
upon and attack painted surfaces
on the vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, we will repair, at no
charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months
or 20 000 km (12,000 miles) of
purchase, whichever occurs first.
Interior Care
The interior will continue to look
its best if it is cleaned often. Dust
and dirt can accumulate on the
upholstery and cause damage
to the carpet, fabric, leather, and
plastic surfaces. Stains should be
removed quickly as extreme heat
could cause them to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may
require more frequent cleaning.
Newspapers and garments that can
transfer color to home furnishings
can also transfer color to the
interior.
Remove dust from small buttons
and knobs with a small brush with
soft bristles.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-1
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . 11-12
General Information
This maintenance section applies
to vehicles with a gasoline engine.
For diesel engine vehicles, see the
maintenance schedule section in
the Duramax Diesel Supplement.
Notice: Maintenance
intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and
lubricants are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good
working condition. Damage
caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
As the vehicle owner, you are
responsible for the scheduled
maintenance in this section.
We recommend having your
dealer perform these services.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps
to keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions for
better air quality. Because of all the different ways
people use vehicles, maintenance
needs vary. The vehicle might need
more frequent checks and services.
Please read the information under
Scheduled Maintenance. To keep
the vehicle in good condition, see
your dealer.
The maintenance schedule is for
vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑25.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Are driven off-road in the
recommended manner.
See Off-Road Driving on
page 9‑7.
.Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑84.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
11-2 Service and Maintenance
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous. Some jobs can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment.
If in doubt, see your dealer to
have a qualified technician do
the work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
At your dealer, you can be
certain that you will receive the
highest level of service available.
Your dealer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as,
up‐to‐date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate
diagnostics. The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑8 and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑11. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and
performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑73.
Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
service is required for the vehicle
as soon as possible, within the next
1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under
the best conditions, the engine oil
life system might not indicate the
need for vehicle service for more
than a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a
year and the oil life system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since
the last service. Reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and
filter. Reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑7
and Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check.
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑22.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection
of hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑108. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑41.
.Tire inflation pressures
check. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑73.
.Rotate tires if necessary.
See Tire Rotation on
page 10‑73.
.Fluids visual leak check
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and
the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑19.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.For vehicles with Allison
Transmission®only: At the first
engine oil change only, replace
external transmission filter.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Lubricate the front suspension,
steering linkage, and parking
brake cable guides. Control arm
ball joints on 2500/3500 series
vehicles require lubrication but
should not be lubricated unless
their temperature is−12°C
(10°F) or higher, or they could
be damaged. Control arm ball
joints on 1500 series vehicles
are maintenance‐free. Vehicles
used under severe commercial
operating conditions require
lubrication on a regular basis
every 5 000 km/3,000 miles.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, folding seat
hardware, and tailgate hinges,
linkage, and handle pivot points lubrication. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑8. More frequent
lubrication may be required
when the vehicle is exposed
to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth
makes them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑27.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
.Vehicles with diesel engine
or GVWR above 4 536 kg
(10,000 lbs) only: Shields
inspection for damage or
looseness. Adjust or replace
as required. This is a Noise
Emission Control Service.
Applicable to vehicles sold in the
United States and recommended
for vehicles sold in Canada.