The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are designed to deal with a tough life, but they still need regular maintenance to keep them running sweetly. So, regular fluid changes and tire rotations are essential.
Everything in this guide has been taken from the Haynes Repair Manual for Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Trucks 2007-2013, including the Sierra Denali 1500, Silverado and Sierra 2500 HD and 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL and Yukon Denali models. The manual contains step-by-step instructions based on a full teardown and rebuild, and has a complete list of jobs you can do from home with simple tools and a few spare parts.
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 car, 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. In many cases the initial maintenance check is done at no cost (check with the service department for more information).
Every 250 miles or weekly
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the windshield washer fluid level
- Check the brake fluid levels
- Check the tires and tire pressures
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Change engine oil and filter
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check the automatic transmission fluid level
Every 6,000 miles or 6 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Rotate the tires
- Inspect the windshield wiper blades
- Check and service the battery
- Check the engine accessory belt
- Inspect under hood hoses
- Check the cooling system
- Check the seat belts
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Lube the chassis
- Check the differential oil level in the front (4x4) and rear axles
- Check the fuel system
- Check the brake system*
- Check the exhaust system
- Check the transfer case oil level (4x4)
- Check the air filter*
Every 30,000 miles or 30 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Change the brake fluid
- Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter**
- Change transfer case oil (4x4)
- Flush cooling system (if green colored ethylene glycol antifreeze)
- Replace the air filter*
- Check the steering, suspension and drive axle boots
- Inspect evaporative emissions control system
Every 60,000 miles or 48 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Replace the spark plugs
- Inspect/replace the spark plug wires
- Change the differential oil**
Every 100,000 miles or 60 months
...all items listed above, as well as
- Flush cooling system (if orange colored Dex-Cool antifreeze)
* Perform at half the indicated intervals if the vehicle is operated under under one or more of the following conditions:
- Driving in dusty areas
- Towing a trailer
- Idling for extended periods
- Driving at low speed or short trips in below freezing temperatures
** Perform at half the indicated interval if operated under one or more of the following conditions:
- In heavy city traffic with temperature above 90-degrees F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain with temperature above 90-degrees F
- Frequent trailer towing
- If the vehicle has been driven through deep water
Find the manual for your Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra.
