engine coolant GMC SIERRA DENALI 2003 Owner's Manual

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, check to see if coolant
is visible in the surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the
coolant level isn’t at or above the
FULL COLD mark, add
a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL@ coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See Engine
Coolant on
page 5-24 for more information.
/;1 CAUTIC I:
Steam and scaldin, ,iquids from a hot coa ....g
system can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if you turn the
coolant surge tank pressure cap
- even a
little
- they can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued) Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
5-32

Adding ~.ly p.-.n water to your coa....g 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
wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable i i water and DEX COOL@ coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
I
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. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-33

4. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark. 5. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let
it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5-35

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that
has sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until
the tank is full.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer fluid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water.
Don’t
mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system.
Also, water doesn’t
clean as well
as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when
it’s very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-38

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
0 Replace fuel filter. An Emission Control Service. (See
Footnote
t.)
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-62
for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
c[I Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Service.
0 Change automatic
transmission fluid and filter 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.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmission fluid, change
both the fluid and filter.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-24 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
6-9

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-13 for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check
the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38 for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tries are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See
Tires on
page 5-61
for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every
50 hours of tape play. See Audio System(s)
on page 3-61
for further details.
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-24 for further details.
6-1 0

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake
System
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Power Steering
System
~~
Automatic
Transmission Fluid/Lubricant
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
Daae
5- 13.
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on
page
5-24.
Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
GM Optikleen Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No.
U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid. Usage
FluWLubricant
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
Key Lock
Canada 10953474. or eauivalent). Cylinders (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Floor Shift
Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication Lubriplate
Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No.
US. 12346293, in Canada
' 992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl #2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl #2,
Cateaow LB or GC-LB.
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S.
Front Axle 12378261, in Canada 10953455) or
equivalent meeting GM Specification
99861 15.
Synthetic Axle Lubricant; use only
Rear Axle
88901362).
Do not add friction
(Steerable) GM Part
No. 12378557
(in Canada
modifier.
Transfer Case
I Fluid.
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985,
in Canada Rear Driveline
meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Center Spline 88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
CateqorV LB or GC-LB.
6-1 6

Care of Your (cont.)
CD Player
................................ ... 3-84
CDS
.......................................................... 3-84
Cargo Lamp
............................. ... 3-14
CARGO LAMP
ON ....................... ... 3-56
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-73
Cassette Tape Player Service
........................... 6-10
CD Adapter Kits
............................................. 3-74
CD Changer
................................................... 3-78
CD Functions
................................................. 3-80
Center Console Storage Area
........................... 2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
.................. 5-98
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts
............. 1-22
Chains, Tires .................................................. 5-68
Check Cargo Lamp
............................................... 5-56
CHANGE ENGINE OIL .................................... 3-54
Engine Light
.................................... ... 3-38
Check Engine Light
.......................... ... 3-38
CHECK OIL LEVEL
..................................... 3-58
CHECK WASHER FLUID
................................. 3-58
Checking Brake Fluid
...................................... 5-40
Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-26
Checking Engine Oil
........................................ 5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood
...................... 5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-73
Chemical Paint Spotting
................................... 5-91 Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
............................... 1-36
Infants and Young Children
........................... 1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children
(LATCH System) .......................... 1-43
Older Children ............................................. 1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
LATCH System
........................................ 1-46
Rear Seat Position
................................... 1-48
Outside Seat Position
............................ 1-46
Front Seat Position
................................... 1-50
Top Strap ................................................... 1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................ 1-41
Cigarette Lighter
............................................. 3-17
Where
to Put the Restraint
........................... 1-38
Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-86
Outside
of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-88
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-91
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
....................... 5-89
Cleaning the Mirror
......................................... 2-30
Climate Control Dual Automatic
..... . 3-18

Compact Disc Changer Errors .......................... 3-80
Compact Disc Messages
.................................. 3-76
Compass Calibration
....................................... 2-30
Compass Variance
.......................................... 2-29
Content Theft-Deferrent
.................................... 2-1 3
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-36
Heater, Engine
............................................ 2-17
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
............................. 5-27
Cooling System
.............................................. 5-30
Cruise Control
.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light
........................................ 3-41
Cupholder(s)
............................................... 2-39
Current and Past Model Order Forms
..... .... 7-11
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance
Off ices ........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors ...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
........ 7-1 0
D
DAB Radio .................................................... 3-82
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-22
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-4
Dome Lamps
................................................. 3-16
Door
Daytime Running Lamps
.................................. 3-13
Locks
.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-7
Rear Doors
.................................................. 2-8
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-13
Driver Information Center (DIC)
......................... 3-43
Driver
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
..................................... 3-60
DIC Operation and Displays
.......................... 3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-53
Driving At Night
..................................................... 4-29
City
........................................................... 4-33
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-2
Freeway
..................................................... 4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-36
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-30
Winter
........................................................ 4-38
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-58
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-39
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-32
4

Driving Through Flowing Water ..................... 4-32
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-56
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
.......... 3-18
E
Easy Exit Seat .................... .... 2-43
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options
...... 5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-95
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
........................ 2-28
Maintenance Programs
................................. 3-40
Air CleanedFilter
......................................... 5-1 9
Battery
....................................................... 5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-38
Coolant
...................................................... 5-24
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-17
Coolant Temperature Gage
........................ 3-36
Cooling System Inspection
......................... 6-14
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5-1 2
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-26
Fan Noise
.................................................. 5-36
Oil
............................................................. 5-13
Overheating
................................................ 5-27
Starting
...................................................... 2-1 6
Emissions
Inspection and
Engine ENGINE COOLANT HOT
................................. 3-54
Engine Coolant Level Check
............................. 6-10
Engine Hour Meter Display
............................... 3-26
Engine
Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Engine
Oil Additives
........................................ 5-17
Engine Oil Level Check
................................... 6-10
Entry Lighting
......................... ............. 3-15
Maintenance
................................................. 6-5
ENGINE OVERHEATED
.................................. 3-54
Erasing HomeLink@ Buttons
...... ......... 2-38
Exit Lighting
............................... ............. 3-15
Express-Down Windows
................................... 2-11
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-29
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-11
F
FabridCarpet ................................................. 5-87
Engine Air Cleaner
...................................... 5-19
Filter
Finding
a PTY Station
(RDS, XMTM and DAB)
................................. 3-67
Finding a Station
............................................ 3-64
Finish Care
.................................................... 5-89
Finish Damage
............................................... 5-91
Fixed Mast Antenna
........................................ 3-84
Flash-To-Pass Feature
....................................... 3-6
Flat Tire
........................................................ 5-68
Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-69