SIERRA HD - OVERHEATING
Prolonged driving with overheated fluids can cause damage to your vehicle. If temperature gauges register abnormally high, if there is a marked decrease in power or if you hear unusual engine noises, immediately take the following steps:
• Pull your vehicle to the side of the road. Once stopped, shift into park (automatic transmissions) or neutral (manual transmissions) and apply the parking brakes. Leave the engine running.
• Turn off air conditioning and other accessories to reduce load on the engine. Roll down the windows and turn the heater on to maximum and the fan to its highest setting. The heater core provides a second cooling surface that can help reduce engine temperatures.
• If you suspect that the overheating is the result of climbing a long, steep grade, run the engine at fast idle (around 1,500 rpm) until the temperature gauge registers a normal reading.
• With the vehicle in park or neutral and the parking brake engaged and being mindful of traffic, exit your vehicle and look for steam or leaking coolant underneath the engine. If you see either of these, shut the engine off and allow the engine to cool. To avoid being burned, do not attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled.