check oil GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 Owner's Manual

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check Manual Transmission
Fluid
A good time to have your manual transmission
uid checked is when the engine oil is changed.
SeeAdditional Required Services (Gasoline
Engine) on page 621to nd out when to change
your transmission uid.
How to Check Manual Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the 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 uid can
damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could come out
and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system
parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.Check the uid level only when your engine is off,
the vehicle is parked on a level place, and the
transmission is cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the
bottom of the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be
sure it is fully seated. If the uid level is low,
add more uid as described in the next steps.
5-speed for VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and 4800 V8 engines
shown, other manual transmissions similar
500

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
is in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on
the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®
extended 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, seeEngine
Overheating on page 505.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
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-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
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
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
502

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not 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
®coolant.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 extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 629for more information.
503

A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
Check the coolant level after the system cools
down. Some amount of coolant may be lost due to
overheating.
All Other Engines
509

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking off
the cap.
Just look at the brake
uid reservoir. The uid
level should be above
MIN. If it is not,
have your brake 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
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 629.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in your brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 592.
518

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with
a gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine Supplement.
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to
keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
614

If you want to purchase service information, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 657.
Owner Checks and Services on page 625tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and
lubricants to use are listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 629andNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts (Gasoline
Engines) on page 632. When your vehicle is
serviced, make sure these are used. All parts
should be replaced and all necessary repairs done
before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
We recommend the use of genuine GM parts.Scheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine)
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with
a gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine Supplement.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes
on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
®
dealer has GM-trained service technicians who will
perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system.
617

If the engine oil life system is ever reset
accidentally, you must service your vehicle within
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last service.
Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 489for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the
system.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message
appears, certain services, checks, and inspections
are required. Required services are described
in the following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended
that your rst service be MaintenanceI, your
second service be MaintenanceII, and that you
alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases,
MaintenanceIImay be required more often.MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL 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.
618

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 486.
Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 489.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 491.
See footnote (p).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 553and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month on
page 626.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
619

(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, routing, and
condition. Check that the purge valve, if the vehicle
has one, works properly.
(m)Change automatic transmission uid and
external transmission lter 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.
(n)Vehicles with diesel engine or with GVWR
above 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) only: Inspect shields
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.
(p)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter or change indicator (if equipped)
at each engine oil change.(q)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help
ensure the safety, dependability, and emission
control performance of your vehicle. Your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with
these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 629.
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000
Miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
Check dual wheel nut torque. For proper torque,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 609.
625