The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are designed to take a licking and keep on ticking, to coin a famous advertising phrase, but you still need to maintain them to keep them running smoothly. Regular service and check-ups are essential. What follows is our quick reference guide for the 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickup trucks (and 2007 Silverado/Sierra Classic), plus Avalanche, Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon SUVs, taken directly from Haynes manual 24066.
Most of these recommended routine maintenance tasks you can do yourself at home for practically no money, as long as you have a few simple tools and the time to invest. If you need more guidance, or even step by step instructions and a video demonstration, get the online manual, or our traditional printed manual.
Oil Change
| Oil type | API “certified for gasoline engines” |
| Oil viscosity | SAE 5w-30 all temperatures |
| SAE 10w-30 temperatures above 0 degrees F | |
| Oil capacity(including filter) | |
| V6 engine | 4.5 quarts |
| V8 engine | 6.0 quarts |
| Recommended fastener torque | |
| Engine oil drain plug | 18 ft-lbs |
Transmission Fluid Change
| Automatic transmission fluid type | |
| 1999-2005 | DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid |
| 2006-2007 | DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| Manual transmission lube type | Synchromesh transmission fluid or equivalent |
| NV 4500 | Syn-torq synthetic transmission fluid or equivalent |
| ZF S6-650 | Trans-Synd synthetic transmission fluid or equivalent |
| Automatic transmission fluid capacity | |
| Fluid and filter change | |
| 4L60-E/4L65-E | 5.0 quarts |
| 4L80-E/4L85-E | 7.7 quarts |
| From dry, including torque converter | |
| 4L60-E/4L65-E | 11.2 quarts |
| 4L80-E/4L85-E | 13.5 quarts |
| Manual transmission lube capacity | |
| New Venture 3500 | 2.2 quarts |
| New Venture 4500 | 4.0 quarts |
| ZF S6-650 | 6.3 quarts |
| Recommended fastener torque | |
| Automatic transmission | |
| 4L60-E/4L65-E | |
| Pan bolts | 97 in-lbs |
| Drain plug | 156 in-lbs |
| 4L80-E/4L85-E | |
| Pan bolts | |
| 2004 and 2005 models | 18 ft-lbs |
| All others | 97 in-lbs |
| Drain plug | 156 in-lbs |
| Manual transmission fill and drain plugs | |
| New Venture 3500 | 22 ft-lbs |
| New Venture 4500 | 27 ft-lbs |
| ZF S6-650 | 26 ft-lbs |
Transfer Case and Differential Fluid Change
| Manual transfer case fluid type | |
| New Venture 261 NP2 | DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid (2006 and later models require DEXRON VI) |
| Automatic transfer case fluid type | |
| New Venture 236 NP8, New Venture 246-NP8, | GM Auto Trak II transfer case fluid |
| Others 1999-2005 | DEXRON-III automatic transmission fluid |
| Others 2006-2007 | DEXRON-VI automatic transmission fluid |
| Differential fluid type | |
| Front | |
| Selectable 4WD | SAE 80W90 GL-5 gear oil |
| Full-time 4WD | SAE 75W90 synthetic gear oil |
| Rear | SAE 75W90 synthetic gear oil |
| Transfer case capacity | |
| New Venture 246-NP8 | |
| 1999 through 2001 | 2.4 quarts |
| 2002 and later | 2.0 quarts |
| New Venture 236-NP8 | 2.0 quarts |
| New Venture 149-NP | 2.4 quarts |
| New Venture 263-NP1 | 2.0 quarts |
| New Venture 149-NP3 | 2.2 quarts |
| New Venture 261-NP2 | |
| 1999 through 2001 | 2.3 quarts |
| 2002 and later | 2.0 quarts |
| Borg Warner 4481-NR3 | 1.5 quarts |
| Borg Warner 4482-NR4 | 1.5 quarts |
| Recommended fastener torque | |
| Manual transmission fill and drain plugs | |
| New Venture 3500 | 22 ft-lbs |
| New Venture 4500 | 27 ft-lbs |
| ZF S6-650 | 26 ft-lbs |
| Transfer case drain/fill plug | 15 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain and fill plugs | |
| Front differential | 24 ft-lbs |
| Rear differential | |
| 1999 | 45 ft-lbs |
| 2000 and 2001 | 24 ft-lbs |
| 2002 and later | |
| Drain plug | |
| 9.75 inch ring gear | 20 ft-lbs |
| All except 9.75 inch ring gear | 24 ft-lbs |
| Fill plug | |
| 9.75 inch ring gear | 15 ft-lbs |
| All except 9.75 inch ring gear | 24 ft-lbs |
Cooling System Flush and Fill
| Engine coolant type | 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL coolant and demineralized water |
| Cooling system capacity** | |
| V6 engine | 13.0 qts |
| V8 engine | |
| 4.8L and 5.3L | 16.7 qts |
| 6.0L | |
| Yukon Denali, Yukon XL Denali | 19.0 qts |
| All others | 16.8 qts |
| ** Cooling system capacities vary depending on engine/transmission package, radiator and A/C system type. Add coolant as necessary to bring to appropriate level. | |
Other Miscellaneous Fluid Types
| Brake fluid type | DOT 3 brake fluid |
| Clutch fluid type | DOT 3 brake fluid |
| 5-speed transmission | DOT 3 brake fluid |
| 6-speed transmission | GM clutch hydraulic fluid |
| Power steering fluid | GM power steering fluid |
Other Miscellaneous Torque Specs
| Spark plugs | 132 in-lbs |
| Wheel lug nuts | 140 ft-lbs |
| Brake caliper | |
| Caliper mounting (guide pin) bolts | |
| Front | |
| 2005 1500 models | 74 ft-lbs |
| All others | 80 ft-lbs |
| Rear | |
| 1500 models | 31 ft-lbs |
| 2500 models | 80 ft-lbs |
| Caliper mounting bracket bolts | |
| Front | |
| 1500 models | |
| 1999-2004 | 129 ft-lbs |
| 2005 | 133 ft-lbs |
| 2500 models | 221 ft-lbs |
| Rear | |
| 1500 models | 148 ft-lbs |
| 2500 models | |
| 1999-2002 | 128 ft-lbs |
| 2003 and later | |
| JC3/JC5/JH2/JH5 calipers | 148 ft-lbs |
| JH6 calipers | 122 ft-lbs |
| JH7 calipers | 221 ft-lbs |
Maintenance Schedule
The following intervals are based on the assumption that you will be doing the service work yourself, as opposed to paying to have the work done. These are our recommended minimum maintenance intervals for vehicles that are driven daily, and in many cases are shorter than the factory’s recommendations. Because frequent maintenance enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your Jeep, we encourage you to follow our schedule. If you drive in dusty areas, tow a trailer, idle or drive at low speeds for extended periods, or drive for short periods (less than four miles at a time) in below freezing temperatures, even smaller intervals are recommended.
When the vehicle is new, follow the maintenance schedule to the letter, record it in your owner’s manual and keep all receipts to protect the warranty and resale value. In many cases the initial maintenance check is done by the dealer at no cost (check with the service department when you buy the truck for more information).
Every 250 miles or weekly, whichever comes first
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the windshield washer fluid level
- Check the brake and clutch fluid levels
- Check the tires and tire pressures ( Section 5 )
Every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above, plus . . .
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check the automatic transmission fluid level
- Change the engine oil and filter
Every 6000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above, plus . . .
- Check the seat belts
- Inspect the windshield wiper blades
- Check and service the battery
- Check the engine drivebelt
- Inspect underhood hoses
- Check the cooling system
- Rotate the tires
- Check the lubricant level in the front (4x4) and rear axles
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above, plus . . .
- Lubricate the chassis
- Check the fuel system
- Check the brake system*
- Check the exhaust system
- Check the manual transmission lubricant level
- Check the transfer case lubricant level - 4WD
- Replace the interior ventilation filter*
Every 30,000 miles or 30 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above, plus . . .
- Change the brake fluid
- Replace the air filter*
- Replace the fuel filter
- Replace the spark plugs (conventional, non-platinum)**
- Service the cooling system (drain, flush and refill) (green-colored ethylene glycol anti-freeze only)
- Check the steering, suspension and driveaxle boots
- Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter**
Every 60,000 miles or 48 months, whichever comes first
- Change the manual transmission lubricant**
- Change the transfer case lubricant**
- Inspect the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve
- Change the differential lubricant**
- Replace the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve
Every 100,000 miles or 60 months, whichever comes first
- Inspect/replace the spark plug wires
- Replace the spark plugs (platinum type)
- Service the cooling system (drain, flush and refill) (orange-colored DEX-COOL anti-freeze only)
* This item is affected by “severe” operating conditions as described below. If your vehicle is operated under severe conditions, perform these maintenance tasks at half the recommended intervals. Severe conditions include the following:
- Operating in mostly dusty areas (dirt roads, or off-road)
- Idling for extended periods and/or low speed operation
- Mostly short trips (less than 4 miles) when outside temperatures remain below freezing
** If operated under one or more of the following conditions, perform these procedures at half the recommended interval
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature is regularly above 90-degrees F (32-degrees C)
- In hilly or mountainous terrain
- Frequent trailer towing
- Frequent off road use or if the vehicle is driven through water