oil GMC YUKON DENALI 2003 Owner's Manual

As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You
should look for and use only oils which have the API
Starburst symbol and which are also identified as
SAE 5W-30. If you cannot find such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE 1OW-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol,
if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above.
Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
Notice: Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
-20°F (-29"C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil
Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system
to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil change is necessarv
for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. It is also important
to
check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-1
6

How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Message
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehic!e
use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system
so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required.
If a
situation occurs where you change your
oil prior to a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset
the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message, see “GM
Oil Life System” under DIC Operation and Displays
on page 3-43 for vehicles equipped with the DIC, or do
the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
If the OIL LIFE RESET message flashes for
10 seconds,
the system is reset.
If the system does not reset, try the procedure once
again. If it still does not reset, see your dealer for
service. times
within five seconds.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash
or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleanedfilter assembly has an air filter
restriction indicator that lets you know when the engine
air cleaner/filter is dirty and needs to be serviced.
The air filter restriction indicator is located on the air
filter assembly cover. See Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 5-72 for more information on location.
See Part
B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10
to determine when to check the air filter restriction
indicator.
5-1 7

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 8,600 or 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.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If your vehicle’s GVWR is not over 8,600 and you do
not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km).
How to Check
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 on the dipstick.
Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
5-20

The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating
on
page 5-25.
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.
e Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant
will require change sooner
-- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other than
DEX-COQL.@ is not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL@ coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
!f YOU uss this coolant mixture,
you don’t need
to add anything else.
Adding c..ly
c 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 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 water and DEX-COQL@ coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
5-23

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when the
engine
is cool.
1 “J can be burned if you sb... 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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. See Engine
Compartment Overview on page
5-12 for more
information on location.
Notice: Your pressure cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
See “Capacities and Specifications” for more
information.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
on page 3-36. in addition, yoti ill
find a LOW COOLANT, ENGINE COOLANT HOT,
ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED ENGINE
POWER message in the DIC on the instrument panel.
See DIC Warnings and Messages on page
3-52.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven
to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
5-25

Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see: If the
coolant inside the coolant surge tank
is boiling,
don’t do anything else until
it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Fan
1
The coolant level should
be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If
it isn’t,
you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
5-28

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 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 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. You can be burned
if you spill coolant on tist
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.
1. Park the vehicle on a
level surface.
SURGE RESERVOIR
15 PSI
TANK - 105 kPa
D'EXPANSION I
You
can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
(left) about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for
that
to stop. A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
5-31

Notice;
Using the wrong fluid 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’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone put
in the wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces,
the paint finish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash
it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care’’ in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal firmly).
~ The brake wea rarl -g sou.-_. ... eans that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to
GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-14.
5-38

Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come
off and cause an accident. When you
change
a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt
off.
1
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall
off, causing a serious accident.
6. After mounting the spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with
the rounded end of
the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten
each wheel nut
by hand. Then use
the wheel wrench
to
tighten the nuts
until the wheel is held
against the hub.
7. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack completely.
8. Tighten the nuts firmly
in a crisscross
sequence as shown by
turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
5-72

Here are some cleaning tips: Leather
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
0 Clean up stains as soon as you can - before
they set.
Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.
0 If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean
the entire area immediately or
it will set.
Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do this more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product. Use a
soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let
the
leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
e For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
0 Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into the finish,
it can harm the leather.
Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones
or waxes may cause annoying reflections in the
windshield and even make it difficult
to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Interior Plastic Components
Use on a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth or
sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the surface
finish.
5-79